Kyrie Irving Out

• wildcats20

  

  Duke Frosh Kyrie Irving is out indefinitely after a foot injury on Saturday.
• ironman02

  Pretty easy stretch coming up for the Blue Devils. They'll be fine until Kyrie returns.
• wildcats20

  

  Yeah, I assume they keep him out until ACC play starts.
• swamisez

  

  Kyrie Irving out,
  Andre Dawkins in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in.
• wildcats20

  

  Yeah honestly, the only "big loss" for the Dookies is the experience Kyrie would be getting by playing. You lose a little bit with Dawkins starting, but Nolan Smith is a solid, solid PG.
  
  Dawkins tonight.....10-17, 8-14 from 3, 28 pts.
  
  Was Coach K just playing with lineups tonight? Singler didn't start?? I mean obviously Bradley had a snow ball's chance in hell, but Singler on the bench to start the game is weird.
• chicago510

  

  Duke has 4 guards that would start for any other team in the country so its not a huge loss...if he can get back by mid-ACC season to get ready for the tournament.
• Laley23

  

  Did coach K just really say Irving could be gone for the year? That this is a very serious injury? I was listening, but also on the computer so not REALLY paying attention.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Laley23;593558 wrote:Did coach K just really say Irving could be gone for the year? That this is a very serious injury? I was listening, but also on the computer so not REALLY paying attention.

  
  I believe Coach K did in fact say that. I find that really hard to believe.
• wildcats20

  

  Its a toe injury. And from what the espn article says, the injury is with the ligaments not any bone.
• Laley23

  

  thedynasty1998;593759 wrote:I believe Coach K did in fact say that. I find that really hard to believe.

  
  Wow, that would be huge. Do they have a back-up PG? Curry and Dawkins were the best guards off the bench but not really PGs.
• birddog23

  Nolan Smith would take over the PG spot. Obviously Dawkins will continue to start and see a lot of time but Seth Curry will see more minutes as will freshman Tyler Thornton. Thornton would be the only other "true" PG on the Duke roster but dont be surprised if you see Curry or Singler bringing the ball up the court sometimes.
  
  As long as the Dukies play tough defense(Kyrie really didnt play D anyway lol) and continue to shoot the 3 well and rebound they will be alright and in my mind still a favorite to win the National Championship.
• swamisez

  

  Oh no
  
  I hope to God Coach K was just being an alarmist. If he is out for the season Duke is likely out in the sweet 16 or elite 8.
  National title hopes just took one on the toe.
• dave

  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5903650
  
  not looking good. i'd bet his family wants the surgery if they are looking at what's best for the nba.
• ironman02

  Didn't realize the situation was this serious. Hope that Irving is able to return this season. What's the deal with toe injuries down in The Triangle?
• slingshot4ever

  I wouldnt trade the Kansas or Ohio State guards for those 3. Hard to beat the skill and experience at the guard position on those teams....
• Prescott

  THere isnt a coach in the country that wouldnt trade their backcourt for what they have left.

  What exactly has Curry done that has impressed you so much?
• Hb31187

  

  ccrunner609;595781 wrote:Curry
  Dawkins
  Smith
  
  THere isnt a coach in the country that wouldnt trade their backcourt for what they have left.

  Izzo, John Thompson III im sure theres more
• jordo212000

  

  What exactly has Curry done that has impressed you so much?

  I'm guessing he is going off of name recognition
• reclegend22

  

  With their freshman star provisionally resigned to the bench, the Blue Devils continued their sweep through the non-conference schedule today with an 84-47 decision over Rick Majerus' Saint Louis Bilikens. Whereas other top teams such as Michigan State, Ohio State and Kansas State are plodding out some hard fought wins over arguably much inferior teams as of late, I like the resolve Duke's kids have shown in the face of recent adversity. In a matter of hours earlier this week, Duke's national title hopes took a major hit, but, under the headship of Coach K, I never expected any sulking or comedown mentally. This is a really good basketball team, and, while the offense has looked much less fluid with Irving out -- this is to be expected considering Ivring's only been out for two games -- the defense remains sound and the improvements of Ryan Kelly and Miles Plumlee on that end of the ball continue to impress. They are really playing well in the interior for the Devils. So that's encouraging. (Offensively, Miles Plumlee for some reason still thinks he's George Mikan, shooting those half-hooks from 10 feet each time he touches it, but that's for a different time.)
  
  Seth Curry went for 11 today and played so much more in control, really looking at ease for the first time. There were still moments were he forced things, but, for the most part, he let the game come to him this afternoon. For good measure, he added six assists, something Duke needs desperately from Curry over the next couple of months. A lot of uncertainly in Durham right now, but there's too much talent not to remain optimistic.
• Prescott

  other top teams such as Michigan State, Ohio State and Kansas State are plodding out some hard fought wins over arguably much inferior teams as of late

  I agree. St. Louis is a powerhouse.
• reclegend22

  

  Also, for those who might have missed it, Andre Dawkins scored 28 the other night against Bradley, including sending home eight three-pointers, one off the Duke single-game record, which is shared by J.J. Redick and Shane Battier. I'm not pointing this out as a testament to Dawkins' dominance -- he scored 28 the other night against Bradley, not Penny Hardaway and the Orlando Magic (ahem, ahem...) -- but a lot of people really don't know about this kid's ability to shoot the ball. He's one of the best in the country, shooting 27-of-50 for 55% from downtown. (Andre, coincidentally, didn't even attempt a three today, but that was because Duke focused primarily on its inside game today and Curry got big minutes off the bench.
  
  It was important because it was Dawkins' first start while at Duke and the first game back since Irving's injury. It proved that Duke has some kids who are ready to step up and bring it.
• reclegend22

  

  I agree. St. Louis is a powerhouse.

  My exact point. Saint Louis is as substandard a team as I've seen, much like Oakland and Indiana University & Purdue University at Indianapolis. Even without Irving, Duke was able to do what it was supposed to do, batter a highly overmatched opponent at home. It is fortunate we did not need his 40 points or we might have been burdened with a small problem.
• Prescott

  He has already proven he can score at will his freshman year.

  And how many games did you watch him play while at Liberty? Putting BTW, while at Liberty he hit 34.7 % of his threes. Not bad, but not great.
  

  he will light people up when he gets the call from K like Dawkins did.

  Nobody is saying the kid isn't a player. He just hasn't done anything to prove that any coach in the country would trade one of their guards for him. A lot of people can hit 3's against Bradley or St. Louis or any other bum team duke has played. Wait until the season has played out to put him on a pedestal.
• Hb31187

  

  ccrunner609;597468 wrote:Izzo, really?
  
  Duke just beat them so I think that makes Dukes backcourt better.

  
  You said the trio of Smith, Dawkins and Curry....against any other teams guards in the country.
  
  If thats the case Dukes backcourt got outscored 45-22. MSU's backcourt>Dukes backcourt without Irving
• Laley23

  

  ccrunner609;597468 wrote:Izzo, really?
  
  Duke just beat them so I think that makes Dukes backcourt better.

  
  Didnt realize they played 2 on 2 that game. Why didnt he Wings, Forwards, and Centers play? Im really interested in this phenomenon.