Duke prevails in the first exhibition game of the year 141-68. Obviously this was a game that was not going to be close and with practices really just getting started Duke is still rough around the edges. With that being said this performance was dominating on all fronts. The one thing I worried about coming into this year was with minutes being spread so thin each player would have to come in hot and ready and really with not much room for error. Efficiency would have to be the name of the game and the stat line that the final fours most valuable player bears that out. In 22 minutes Singler scored 31 points and pulled down 9 rebounds and dished 5 assists. That is the definition of efficiency, and making the most of your time on the floor.
Duke boasted 7 players in double figures led by Singlers 31, and Dawkins 20. Freshman Kyrie Irving put in 17 in his first official game as a Blue Devil, he asl had 7 assists to only 1 turnover. Nolan Smith and Seth Curry scored 15 a piece as the guards dominated.
The assist numbers for Smith, Singler and Irving were amazing and it will be hard to compete with Duke as long as the main scorers are still willing to spread the ball around and understand that making other players that much better benefits the team as a whole.
It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks before the real games are upon us how much emphasis will be places on frontcourt scoring and rebounding. Although Duke won the rebounding battle offensive rebounding was not a strength and St. Augustine pulled down 16, Duke only 10. Granted Duke didn’t miss too many shots. It was what it was a good first look at the team, and there is room for improvement, which is a good sign.
