After Duke's 65-point blowout win over N.C. Central Friday night, the Blue Devils added something unusual to their post-game routine-an extra cardio workout.
"When each guy's only playing 20 minutes, they should get a 15-minute cardio before leaving-no punishment, just maintaining shape," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "It's a process that you should learn to like."
One of the major problems for the Blue Devils during last season's 22-11 campaign was their lack of depth, punctuated by Josh McRoberts and Greg Paulus playing a combined 78 minutes in the season-ending loss to VCU.
In Duke's 2007-08 season opener, however, Kryzewski showcased this year's team depth so much that several players had to work out after the game to keep in top shape, as nine Blue Devils played more than 15 minutes. The scoring was also evenly distributed, as seven Duke players notched double-digit point totals.
Judging by their first official collegiate performances, freshmen Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Taylor King all will provide the extra production that the Blue Devils lacked a season ago.
"The main thing that our freshmen bring is depth," Krzyzewski said. "They're three really good players. They're ready to play at this level at this time in the world of college basketball."
King led the trio, hitting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc-some from several feet behind the line-to score a team-best 20 points. He also energized Duke, diving into the Cameron Crazies for a ball in the first half even though the Blue Devils already had built a 19-point lead.
Singler started and was also impressive, recording 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. On two explosive plays, he demonstrated his enormous potential, from defense to ballhandling to scoring. With three and a half minutes remaining in the first half, he corralled a defensive rebound, drove coast-to-coast and finished for a three-point play at the N.C. Central end. And halfway through the second half, he stole an Eagle pass, drove down the court and finished with a dunk to put Duke up by 45.
More than anything, though, the Blue Devils' depth at the point guard position was apparent. Smith had 16 points and four assists off the bench and played one more minute than starter Greg Paulus. Smith said he expects the two of them to play an even amount of time the rest of the season.
"I told Greg before the game, we want to punish every other team's point guard," Smith said. "We want to be the most dominant point guard combination in the country. Me and him can both play and both make the team better, and we're both going to do that all year long."
Paulus and Smith bring different qualities to the point. Paulus is the vocal veteran, whereas Smith is more athletic but less experienced.
That lack of experience, however, did not show against N.C. Central, as Smith effectively led the Duke offense. The team scored 66 points while he was on the court-17 more than when Paulus was at the point.
Jon Scheyer, who started 32 games in 2006, also came off the bench and played the point at the end of the first half.
In addition to those three guards, Duke has several other players who can bring the ball up the court. Smith said the team even feels comfortable with big men Lance Thomas and Singler doing it.
"It's working perfectly," Smith said after the game. "I'm not even tired right now. I could play another game if me and Greg could get the same minutes.... It's been a great rotation."
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