Singler: Duke may use zone in 2009-10

DURHAM – Junior forward Kyle Singler floated a possibility that seems to make sense for Duke’s unusually configured 2009-10 basketball team.

“What we’ve been talking about. . .is we might be playing a little more zone this year than in years past,” Singler said during an exclusive interview Thursday. “That might not be the way Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) wants to do it, but with the personnel that we have, we are a big team.”

Krzyzewski is known to disdain zone defenses and prefer a high-pressure man-to-man. But over the last three years or so, since he became involved with the U.S. Olympic team, Krzyzewski has softened his stance.

In 2007-08, Duke dabbled in a matchup zone Krzyzewski called “Orange” in honor of his close friend, Jim Boeheim. At Syracuse, Boeheim often uses a matchup zone to keep opponents out of the lane.

Last season, the Blue Devils experimented with a zone trap briefly at Georgia Tech and for a longer sequence at Boston College in a loss when they were struggling to defend opposing point guards.

Over the past few seasons, Krzyzewski also has taken pride in his willingness to change strategy to fit his personnel. In 2009-10, Duke’s personnel might be suited to a zone.

Now that guard Elliot Williams has transferred to Memphis, the Blue Devils have few options in terms of players who can pressure the ball. Kyle Singler’s move to small forward at 6-foot-9 means Duke will have a big lineup that will be difficult for opponents to shoot over if the Blue Devils play a zone.

“When you see big guys in that zone with their hands up, it takes a lot of space,” Singler said. “Teams, you don’t practice against it because you don’t have the size. It’s something teams don’t see day in and day out.”

Singler said Krzyzewski has discussed the idea with the team. During his yearly summer news conference on Tuesday, Krzyzewski mentioned that the Blue Devils will have to change the way they defend, but didn’t specifically talk about playing zone.

“You adjust to the people you have,” Krzyzewski said. “So I don’t see us picking up full-court man and dogging somebody with Kyle on a 5-11 guy. We’re not going to do that. You just figure out a little bit different way of playing your defense.”

Playing a lot of zone would certainly be different for Krzyzewski. Singler said it’s a good idea. With just two true guards – Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith – on a roster that includes a wealth of forwards, Krzyzewski is going to have to be creative.
That might mean playing some defenses that wouldn’t ordinarily be his favorite options.

Ken Tysiac

For more on Kyle Singler and his new role with Duke, read The Charlotte Observer or the Raleigh News & Observer on Monday.

Nike, Tar Heels agree: 10 years, $31.6 milllion

North Carolina has signed a 10-year deal with Nike to be the exclusive supplier of athletic footwear, apparel and accessory products to the Tar Heels, the school announced.

This marks UNC's fourth contract with Nike, and it is retroactive to July 1, 2008.

“The University of North Carolina is proud of its long-standing relationship with Nike,” UNC athletics director Dick Baddour said in a prepared statement. “This partnership has
benefitted all 28 varsity sports and provided millions of dollars for academics and student scholarships at the University.”

In addition to apparel and equipment — the value of which ranges from $2.8 million in the first year of the contract, to $3.4 million in the 10th, for a total of $31.6 million — Nike will give the University $2 million to the Chancellor’s Academic Enhancement Fund. Chancellor Holden Thorp says he will direct the funds to faculty support, according to the news release. The athletics department will also receive $1 million for signing the contract; those funds are being used to overhaul lighting and sound at the Smith Center.

Nike has also entered into individual contracts with each of UNC’s head coaches; only seven coaches had individual contracts with the company in the past.

UNC and Nike also affirmed their commitment to fair labor practices, which they adopted in the 2001 agreement — meaning Nike will continue to produce licensed products and
provide product to the University made in factories that provide fair working conditions and operate consistent with the labor standards in the University's license agreements and Nike's own Code of Conduct.

-- Robbi Pickeral

Krzyzewski dislikes 'one-and-done' rule

Mike Krzyzewski addressed the media Monday, talking on topics from his interest in the Lakers to his interest in coaching the 2012 Olympic team and his Duke squad's roster makeup.

Add Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski to the list of college basketball coaches speaking out this summer against become known as the NBA’s “one-and-done” rule.

Three years ago, a new collective bargaining agreement between the NBA’s owners and players association effectively prevented players from entering the draft right out of high school.

The rule states that players must be at least 19 years old and one year beyond the graduation of their high school class before they can enter the draft. That’s led to a lot of players enrolling in college for one year of basketball before moving on to the pros.

Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley have made big splashes in their only collegiate seasons. Krzyzewski said that’s helped the NBA by making them household names before they turn pro, but questions its value to college basketball.

“They’re part of the NCAA marketing machine and college basketball,” Krzyzewski said Tuesday at his annual summer news conference. “It’s a smart move (by the NBA). They don’t have to pay a cent. They get to see a kid for a year longer. And they’re marketed. I think it was fool’s gold, really (for college basketball). Oh, we get a kid for a year. I don’t think college basketball has benefited from that.”

Other coaches, including Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel, are bemoaning the rule that essentially forces some players to attend college against their will even though they may be ready for the NBA.

Brandon Jennings’ recent success in the NBA draft after a year in Italy might inspire more players to spend a year making money overseas rather than playing college basketball.

But some still will choose college even though they don’t have much interest in attending class. Capel told the Kansas City Star that the rule makes a mockery out of education.

Krzyzewski said a culture has developed among elite players outside of academic programs where it’s best that they go to the NBA.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad culture,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m saying it’s a different culture that leads to the NBA. Now you’re forcing them to go into our culture for eight months. I’m not sure that’s (good). We’ve already seen problems from it.”

Nonetheless, Krzyzewski sounded pessimistic that the one and done rule will change. It’s in the hands of the NBA players’ union and the owners, and Krzyzewski said it’s not the most pressing issue those parties bring to the bargaining table.

Krzyzewski said college basketball would be popular without one-and-done players because it can market the tradition of schools such as Duke vs. North Carolina while the pros hype player matchups such as Kobe vs. LeBron.

And the two most scandalous college stories of the summer – investigations of O.J. Mayo at Southern California and Derrick Rose at Memphis – both involved one-and-done players.

That’s not good for college basketball, and Krzyzewski doesn’t have an easy solution.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know how you change it.” – Ken Tysiac

Smiles, determination after NBA draft

UNC guard Wayne Ellington's reaction after to falling to No. 28 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Thursday night's draft: "They'll be sorry,'' he told the Philadelphia Daily News, referring to the first 27 teams that didn't draft him.

Meanwhile, Duke wing Gerald Henderson, chosen No. 11, can't seem to get away from the Tar Heels. He now moving to Charlotte -- i.e., Tar Heel South.

New Indiana Pacer Tyler Hansbrough plans to keep proving people wrong, according to the Indianapolis Star. (Sound familiar?)

And point guard Ty Lawson, traded from the Timberwolves, told the Denver Post he's excited to play for the Nuggets -- and to learn from Chauncey Billups.

-- Robbi Pickeral

Seven ACC players drafted in first round

It was a friendly debate for Duke and North Carolina fans of late: Who would be chosen first during Thursday night’s NBA draft – The Forearm or The Nose?

In the end (or near the beginning, actually), it was Duke wing Gerald Henderson — whose flagrant forearm bloodied Tar Heel forward Tyler Hansbrough nose back in March, 2007, adding to the Tobacco Road rivalry lore — who became the first player taken. He was selected 12th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Hansbrough, who graduated in May, was then taken 13th, by the Indiana Pacers.

Both were in the so-called ‘Green Room’ at Madison Square Garden in New York, sitting with friends and family (and in Hansbough’s case, UNC coach Roy Williams) as they waited to hear their names called.

Asked how much more he can improve in the NBA, Henderson told ESPN: “I don’t know right now. I hope I can take this game as far as I can. I’m going to work really hard at it, and we’ll see."

Asked by ESPN what kind of player the Pacers were getting, Hansbrough said: "A hard worker that knows how to win."

Wake Forest forward James Johnson was the next ACC player to go, 16th to the Chicago Bulls.

Then North Carolina’s Ty Lawson — last year’s ACC Player of the Year — was chosen 18th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the third point guard drafted by the Wolves on Thursday night, joining international player Ricky Rubio and Syracuse’ Jonny Flynn, who were chosen No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Lawson was later traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Wake Forest point guard Jeff Teague then went 19th to the Atlanta Hawks, marking the first time the Demon Deacons have ever had two players chosen in the first round.

UNC shooting guard Wayne Ellington was chosen 28th by Minnesota, followed by Florida State point guard Toney Douglas, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers then traded to the New York Knicks.

In the second round, swingman Danny Green became the fourth Tar Heel taken when he was drafted 46th overall, by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Miami point guard Jack McClinton (51st overall, by San Antonio) was also chosen in the second round.

-- Robbi Pickeral

Tar Heels nominated for ESPY

First, a national championship. Next, an ESPY?

North Carolina's basketball team has been nominated for the made-for-cable award in the team category, along with UConn's women's basketball team, the L.A. Lakers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fans will determine the winners in 37 different categories by voting online at www.espys.tv. The show will be aired July 19.

-- Robbi Pickeral

Bad break for Duke

Elliott Williams' decision to transfer from Duke on Wednesday suddenly breaks the ACC race wide open.

The Blue Devils will still be in the conversation to win the league, of course, because they have an edge in experience. But the loss of Williams, an athletic wing who only averaged 4.2 points per game, erodes their defensive abilities and overall quickness.

Assuredly, the Duke fan at-large feels for Williams. It's undoubtedly a bad break for the teenager and his family, but you also can't help but wince at what could have been for Duke in 2010.

Let's enter fantasyland, shall we? Admittedly, it's a dangerous venture, but given the precedent at UNC to hang on to stars for three and four years, it's not that outlandish to think both Gerald Henderson and John Wall could have been in Duke's lineup in October.

What could have been:


Starters
G John Wall
G Jon Scheyer
G Gerald Henderson
F Kyle Singler
F Brian Zoubek

Bench
G Elliot Williams
G Nolan Smith
F Ryan Kelly
F Lance Thomas
F Miles Plumlee
F Mason Plumlee

Whoa. Now take out Henderson or Wall, and it's still a Final Four team. Take out both and they still win the ACC. Take out Henderson, Wall and Williams, and Mike Krzyzewski's looking at:

Starters
G Smith
G Scheyer
G/F Singler
F Thomas
F Zoubek

Bench
G/F Kelly
F Miles Plumlee
F Mason Plumlee

Ouch. Still good but where are the guards? Without Williams, both Singler and Kelly will have to play the perimeter, which is fine for 3-point shooting purposes. But what about defense? You might actually see Coach K use a lot of 2-3 zone because there are no traditional perimeter reserves.

Either way, Jon Scheyer's going to shatter the ACC record for minutes-played this coming season.

And when it comes to the chase for the ACC title, Duke's suddenly in the same boat as UNC, Boston College or even Georgia Tech.

By the way, Duke hasn't been to the Final Four since 2004, a span of five years. Coach K has never gone more than five years between Final Four appearances at Duke.

Cue the Tar Heel fans, Laker conspiracy theorists and Duke haters.

- J.P. Giglio

Hansbrough to have entourage in NYC

North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough — who could be taken as early as 11th in the NBA draft Thursday night, by the New Jersey Nets — said he debated whether to accept the invitation to sit in the Green Room at Madison Square Garden.

"But it's always been a dream of mine to be there and shake Mr. Stern's hand,” Hansbrough said during a phone interview Tuesday. “I also thought it would be a good opportunity for me to represent North Carolina and my part of Missouri."

He'll also have plenty of company. Hansbrough said his dad, mom, older brother Greg, UNC coach Roy Williams and his agent will be sitting at the table with him. In addition, Hansbrough said, teammates Bobby Frasor, Marcus Ginyard and Dewey Burke – as well as Frasor’s dad – are traveling to New York to sit in the stands.

“I'm starting to get nervous, a little jittery - just because you never know exactly what's going to happen, who's going to make trades, who's going to finally take you,'' he said. "But I'm really confident that things are going to turn out well.”

— Robbi Pickeral

Elliot Williams leaving Duke

Duke sophomore Elliott Williams (above) — one of only three perimeter players returning for the Blue Devils — has decided to leave the school for family medical reasons, the school announced this morning.

He is seeking to transfer closer to his hometown of Memphis, and is expected to file an appeal for a waiver of the NCAA's year in residence transfer rule that would require him to sit out the 2009-10 season.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Elliot and his family," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a prepared statement. "We fully support him in his efforts to be closer to them during this trying time. He is a good young man with an opportunity to become an outstanding player. We wish him well as he determines his future. He will always be a part of our program and we will always be in his corner."

Williams' decision could prove a heavy blow to Duke, because it leaves Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith as its only returning perimeter players. Williams averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds a a freshman, and started 11 of the Blue Devils' final 12 games.

Krzyzewski has said he plans to move Kyle Singler — who played power forward and center his first two years — to the small forward position. But without Williams, the Blue Devils are left even thinner on the perimeter.

Williams had five double-figure scoring games as a freshman, including a season-high 15 points at Maryland on Feb. 25. He also posted an 11-rebound game on Nov. 11 against Georgia Southern and sparked a 101-91 Duke win over Wake Forest on Feb. 22 with a season-high four steals.

-- Robbi Pickeral

Williams expects Graves to return to Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Roy Williams said he fully expects wing Will Graves – who was suspended last February — to be court when the team opens practice in October.
He said Graves hasn’t been “re-instated,” per se, because the suspension was only for the remainder of last season.

"He’s got some conditions he’s got to take care of, and if he takes care of those conditions, he’ll be on our team Oct. 16 or 15th, whatever that Friday is," Williams said. "I’m under the assumption that he’s going to do what he was asked to do, and he’ll be out there on Oct. 15."

Williams said the player made "great grades" in both of his first-session summer school courses. “He’s down in the weight room right now, and he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to do."

Graves averaged 4 points and 11.2 minutes on last year’s national title team before he was suspended for breaking an unspecified team rule. His return is key for the Tar Heels because they have so few other perimeter players returning.

-- Robbi Pickeral