Scouting Report: Duke

W-L: 8-1
RPI: 4
SOS: 82
Best Wins:
(21) Arizona St. W, 64-53
(33) Connecticut W, 68-59
(65) St. John's W, 80-71
(77) Charlotte W, 101-59

Best Losses:
(15) Wisconsin L, 73-69

Current Rankings:
#4 RPI
#7 AP
#7 Coaches

Team Overview:
Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski comes into the 2009-10 NCAA basketball season having made the Sweet 16 three of the past five years. Last year, Duke finished second in regular season ACC play with a 11-5 conference record and 30-7 for the season and won the conference tournament. Unlike most years under Coach Krzyzewski, however, Duke only has three guards on the 2009-10 roster. Kyle Singer will be moving to play the SF position this year to help take the place of Gerald Henderson who left early for the NBA(drafted at 12 by the Charlotte Bobcats). A surprising loss from last year’s squad was Elliot Williams departing to play at Memphis due to a severe illness in the family. As a result, Andre Dawkins was able to finish his high school requirements a year early and join the Blue Devils basketball team for the upcoming season. Overall, Duke is expected to play to a much taller lineup this year than in past years with the greater depth in the front court.



Kyle Singer is going to pose significant matchup problems for opponents with shifting to the wing. His perimeter shooting and ballhandling ability will allow him to play in the post when needed as well as on the perimeter. He scored at a 16.5 ppg, 7.7 rbg, and 2.2 apg clip last year and is now at the position he will eventually play in the NBA. Duke returns 6′8″ senior Lance Thomas who averaged 18.6 minutes a game last year and 7′1″ Brian Zoubek who look to have a greater impact this season after solid junior years on the team. Newcomers Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly are also expected to have a significant role on the team this year. Coach K is just going to have to settle on the right team chemistry that is going to work before hitting ACC play in the new year.

Team Leaders:
Points: Jon Scheyer 18.0
Assists: Jon Scheyer 5.7
Rebounds: Brian Zoubek 7.8

Best Player:

Jon Scheyer G 6-5 190 SR
Scheyer is one of Dukes great Guards. He is a fiery competitor and 46% from the floor along with 42% from three and 92% from the line.

My Take:
This is shaping up to be Gonzaga's marquee game of the year, It is being played in a Neutral site, Madison Square Garden in New York City(I think we all know that the crowd is going to be largely filled with Duke fans though). We match up well with the Dukies and probably have a pretty size-able advantage in the paint with Robert Sacre and Elias Harris.

I expect this one to be quite close and i think its a 50/50 chance on who wins. Of course im gonna go with my Zags in a squeaker!

Final Score: Gonzaga 75 Duke 72