A transition era in Duke
By Andrew Jones
FOXSportsSouth.com
Dec. 11, 2010
DURHAM, N.C. -- As Duke transforms into whatever it will become without point guard Kyrie Irving, one constant will be its defense. And that might be one area the Blue Devils are more complete without Irving than with the freshman sensation.
No slight to Irving, who is more than adequate on that end of the floor, but senior Nolan Smith, who will run the point until Irving returns, if he returns, is as good defensively as anyone in the nation at the position. And in Duke's 84-47 rout of Saint Louis at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday, Smith put on a clinic that trickled down to his teammates.
"He was just real poised for us," said senior Kyle Singler, who finished with 21 points. "He was like a veteran out there like he is, playing like a leader, made plays out there and did a great job."
Smith's offensive game also appeared infused by the stalwart defensive effort. After failing to score from the field in Wednesday's win over Bradley, Smith netted 22 points and handed out five assists against the Billikens, including 15 points in helping the Devils build a 40-16 halftime advantage.
This has to rank as the most positive development of the afternoon for Duke, given that Smith struggled two years ago when asked to run the point after Mike Krzyzewski gave him the job over then-senior Greg Paulus. The Maryland native was decent, averaging 8.4 points per outing, but Duke needed more. Jon Scheyer took over the point late in the regular season and helped guide the Blue Devils to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and trip to the Sweet 16.
Last season, Smith played off the ball and may have been Duke's best player by March, averaging 17.4 points per game. He was posting similar numbers before Irving went down with a toe injury in last week's win over Butler, and now Smith once again is facing the responsibility of running the team out of necessity.
"I have to make changes," Smith said. "When something like this happens unexpectedly, you have to be ready. My summer at Chris Paul's camp really prepared me for this time for running the show, and also at the same time being aggressive. Practice this week has really allowed me to adjust and feel more comfortable out there."
Freshman Tyler Thornton isn't ready, sophomore Seth Curry doesn't have the skill set or experience and sophomore Andre Dawkins is closer to being a small forward and slasher than a point guard. Until Irving comes back, Smith will man the point. And the difference between Smith and the others is even greater on the defensive end, which is where Duke set its tone Saturday.
The Devils hit only three of their first 11 shots from the field, but Saint Louis couldn't even get one unchallenged pass into its sets, which of course, starts at the point. As Duke began forcing turnovers, it also started scoring. In one stretch, Saint Louis turned over the ball nine times in 16 possessions and Duke made 10 of 11 shots from the field.
And at one point, Rick Majerus' team had nine team fouls and 12 turnovers but only eight points, having attempted only 14 shots. Saint Louis turned over the ball 22 times on the afternoon.
"We played really well defensively," Dawkins said. "And it began with Nolan not letting them run their stuff. It allowed us to overplay and get into passing lanes and disrupt what they were trying to do."
It was a hair-pulling afternoon for the visitors, and no matter who Duke has on the floor, that's the DNA that makes this program thrive. And with Smith at the point, that won't change any time soon.
Andrew Jones is in his 15th season covering the ACC.
