Seth Curry Named Third Captain
Image Courtesy of GoDuke.com
Duke announced on September 20th that Senior Miles Plumlee and Junior Ryan Kelly would be named as captains for the 2012 season. In this post, I wondered whether Duke’s insistence on feeding the post more this year led to the big men taking a more prominent role in the leadership department, thus leaving Seth Curry out of the captain’s role.
Evidently, Coach K either reads DukeHoopBlog.com or he has seen Seth step up in practices and recognized that with the anointment of the junior point guard as the third captain on this year’s squad. Judging by an announcement on GoDuke.com, it’s more of the latter than the former.
“We knew going into the season that the leadership would be fluid,” said Krzyzewski. “We thought after practices started that Seth would emerge as a leader. He is showing some really good leadership and he deserves this. The leadership of our team is more of a team concept with Miles, Ryan and Seth. I think this will help make us a better team.”
After being voted on to the All-ACC Preseason First Team by the media, Seth has now been honored by his coaching staff (and fellow teammates likely.) It’s not uncommon for Duke to have more than two captains, and for a team going through a transition period, more defined leadership is better than less. Congrats to Seth. Read more
ACC Football Pick ‘Em Contest — Week 8 and 9 Update
Duke could not pull off a win against Wake despite mounting a valiant comeback on Saturday, but one Duke fan did get one. Loyal reader Wander won last week’s ACC Football Pick ‘Em Contest with 5 wins. The unpredictable nature of ACC Football leads to a lot of missed picks, but Wander got 5 out of 6 games correct.
Maybe this is the week for Duke Football as well as some more of the participants in this contest to put on a dominating performance. Don’t worry if you didn’t get your picks in for the Virginia-Miami game last night as that game will not be factored in to the contest. Make sure your picks are in before the 12:00 EST start of Florida State-NC State.
As we mentioned last week, Darren at The Duck Shop has decided to provide a prize to the end of year winner so keep getting your picks in. This week, the prize is the Duke Football hat pictured in the top left hand corner and it will be shipped out to you no matter where you are on this Duke Blue Planet! Read more
Duke vs. Wake: How To Watch and Listen
Duke Football looks to bounce back from a potentially demoralizing loss to the Florida State Seminoles when they welcome the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, October 22nd at 12:30 PM. This matchup between two high-powered offenses (sound familiar?) will be easy to watch for Triangle residents as it will be broadcast on WRAL-TV5. IF you live in the area, the only reason you have for knowing this information is for your DVR. Otherwise, get to Wallace Wade. You can buy tickets here. Saturday is Faith and Family Day, Junior Blue Devil Day, and Band/Cheer Day. I don’t want to hear any excuses about not bringing your kids out to this one.
If you’re not around Durham, see TV, Online, Mobile, and ESPN3 options here.
Here are the radio affiliates for the Blue Devil Network.
*************************************TRAFFIC ALERT*******************************************
If you’re coming in via 147 (Durham Freeway), there are construction-related lane closures. Duke Gameday suggests coming in by 85, 15-501, or 40 to 751.
Cut Previews Duke vs. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons come into Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 PM and there should be a ton of points put up on that new scoreboard by the time the game is over. For the first time in 12 tries, Duke football hopes to get a win against their neighbors to the west.
Coach David Cutcliffe talks about Jim Grobe’s sqaud and what it will take for the Blue Devils to get a win.
Duke’s Starting Backcourt Honored By ACC Media
Coach K glaring at the idiocy that is Roy Williams
The strength of Duke Basketball has lay in the hands of the guards and wings for quite some time and the 2012 version is no different. The ACC Media voted on the 1st team all-conference on Wednesday and Seth Curry garnered 20 votes to tie Virginia’s Mike Scott for the last slot on the preseason squad. Those two joined Harrison Barnes, John Henson, and Tyler Zeller of North Carolina, as well as Miami’s Malcolm Grant.
ACC Football Pick ‘Em Contest — Week 7 and 8 Update
While the Blue Devils’ football team could not pull out a win on Saturday, reader DukeSean reeled in a great prize. Offered up by The Duck Shop and legendary Duke broadcaster Bob Harris was a signed copy of Harris’ latest book, “How Sweet It Is”. I had a chance to meet Bob before Countdown to Craziness on Friday at the store and want to give a hearty congratulations to him for calling his 400th Duke football game (without interruption!) this past weekend. Tomorrow marks #401 and I think I speak for all Duke fans who have had the pleasure of listening to Bob on calling football and basketball games throughout the years when I say thank you.
Also of note, while I was at the store I had the pleasure of meeting The Duck Shop’s owner and he insisted that we give a prize to the year’s cumulative winner. I know I have said in the past that we wouldn’t be giving out an end of the year prize, but he is so generous that he wanted to make sure that Duke’s supporters were well rewarded. Be sure that it will be something special. Read more
Duke Football Injury Report for Wake
As always, there’s good news and bad news on the injury front when you’re 8 weeks into the season.
WR Brandon Braxton (head) – Probable
S August Campbell (leg) – Probable
C Dave Harding (leg) – Questionable
C Brian Moore (arm) – Questionable
WR Donovan Varner (leg) – Questionable
CB Johnny Williams (leg) – Questionable
S Lee Butler (leg) – OUT
QB Brandon Connette (upper body) – OUT
First, the bad news: Read more
Put the Needle on the Record …
The day is finally here. After months of college basketball fans trying to get that bad taste out of their mouths from the horrendous national championship game, the first day of college hoops practice is upon us. Some schools go about their business quietly, hitting the empty gym to start their first steps towards a deep tournament run. Others do it up Miami Heat style with TV cameras, opening acts, and a primetime show for the fans. Regardless of the approach, it’s an exciting time for every fan base when everyone is 0-0 and has the highest of hopes. I don’t think any fan walks away from an opening day event thinking “man, we’re going to get killed”, unless they’re Georgetown fans and that statement is amended with “in a fight”.
For players, the opening day is a chance to make a first impression or to kick-off a fresh start, and as exciting as the day is for fans, it has to be that much more exciting for the guys who have grown tired of pick-up games and are ready to go up against real competition. It’s a chance to make a statement. At Duke, the new tradition is to put that statement to music. Read more
Sydney and Nolan Foundation: Helping Kids Be Kids
As a huge basketball fan growing up, I would shoot shots on my driveway basketball goal many nights in a row until the floodlight that my dad had installed on the awning of our roof didn’t provide enough light for me to see where I was throwing the ball anymore. Sometimes, I didn’t even stop then. Sometimes my dad would have to come out and convince me to pack it in for the night.
For 8 years of his life, Nolan Smith would likely go through the same routine but that’s where the similarities stopped. I can’t even begin to list off all the ways in which my life and Nolan’s are different, but on August 9th, 1996 a major split occurred. The Smith family was on a cruise in the Atlantic Ocean, relaxing and taking in the sport that had taken Derek Smith so many places in his life. On this cruise Derek was asked by the Washington Bullets, the team he was coaching for at the time, to conduct youth clinics for the many children who were passengers aboard the ship. He helped and coached the kids like he had for many of the NBA’s players always accompanied by his son Nolan. The trip would be cut short as Derek passed away at the young age of 34.
I can’t begin to imagine how hard it must have been for Nolan to deal with the loss of his dad, basketball coach, and best friend at such a young age. But what he and his family did after is to me even more unbelievable.
“They have been in philanthropy since the time they were born.”
Monica Smith turned into a single mother overnight, but she would not go forward in that role without the help of the NBA family that her husband Derek had built during his 9 year playing and 2 year coaching career. As she recalls, “Charles Barkley would talk to Nolan and tell him, “Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re making so many people proud. You’re just like your dad.” Chris Webber, John Starks, Allan Houston among others were so good to us. In Louisville, Allan Houston attended our church and babysat Nolan. The Houstons brought an entire church full of people to Sydney’s baptism to make sure we felt like our family was there. They’ll always be there for us.” Read more
Coach Cut Previews Duke vs. FSU
With FSU bringing EJ Manuel back from injury for a full week of practice, Duke’s injury-ridden defensive unit will have a tough task handling the Seminoles’ offensive attack. Coach David Cutcliffe is concerned about Florida State’s speed at the skill positions and their defensive front and linebacking units. He sees promise in Duke’s passing attack as well as Duke’s kicking game heading into Saturday’s matchup.
