Duke Much Improved, and Singler is the Real Deal

The 2006-07 Duke Blue Devils lost 8 of their final 12 games, including being upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Virginia Commonwealth. Then, they lost probably their best player, Josh McRoberts, to the NBA Draft. I heard about the incoming class led by Kyle Singler, but I wasn't convinced that this team would be much better this year. As great as Mike Krzyzewski is, I wondered how much of his attention is divided between Duke and the USA team. Why couldn't have Roy Williams take that job?

After watching a few games, I am convinced Duke will go from an overrated #6 seed last year to no worse than a solid #3 seed in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils probably won't be a threat to win the National Championship, as I can see games where they come up dry from beyond the arch and get slapped around by a big boy down low. They will also have to play UNC 2,3 times this season, who I think is the best team in the country.

The Blue Devils are on the way back though, and hopefully this team will have 2,3 years together. Junior point guard, Greg Paulus has continued to show significant improvement he started to build upon late last year (if there was a bright spot last year it was Paulus's improvement late in the season). Senior, DeMarcus Nelson is playing better after a rotten junior season. Gerald Henderson is becoming a star, and won't just be known for breaking Tyler Hansbrough's nose. Jon Scheyer, who might have been Duke's best player last year, now comes off the bench giving Duke much more depth than they have had in years. Most importantly though, Duke has the game changing star they lacked last year.

Kyle Singler will be the real deal for Duke, and is already paying significant dividends. Singler was the MVP of the Maui Invitational, including a whale of a performance in Duke's toughest win of the early season vs. Marquette. Singler had 25 points and was a perfect 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. That isn't a early freshman year performance right there. Singler is also a bruiser, reminding me a bit of Shane Battier. Remember all the intangibles Battier added to a game, that wouldn't show in the box score, won Duke the 2001 National Championship. While Singler probably won't come close to the defensive guru Battier was, he could be a better offensive player. He can shoot the three, and can back in down low and score some too. Singler should become the leader that Duke has lacked since the likes of Battier, which could equate to title #4 in the Coach K era.

Pat Morgan