Duke 2007 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Duke Blue Devils - ACC (22-10, 8-8)

Seed: #6 - West Region

Big Wins: 11/28 Indiana (54-51), 12/2 Georgetown (61-52), 2/14 at Boston College (78-70)

Bad Losses: 1/10 at Georgia Tech (63-74), 2/1 at Virginia (66-68), 3/8 vs NC State (80-85)

Last NCAA Appearance: 2006, Sweet Sixteen loss to LSU

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (68-19 in 22 NCAA appearances)

Probable Duke Starters:

• Greg Paulus, Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg

• DeMarcus Nelson, Junior, Guard, 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg

• Jon Scheyer, Freshman, Guard, 12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg

• David McClure, Sophomore, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg

• Josh McRoberts, Sophomore, Forward, 12.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg

Key Roleplayers for Duke:

• Gerald Henderson, Freshman, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg

• Martynas Pocius, Sophomore, Guard, 1.9 ppg, 0.5 rpg

• Lance Thomas, Freshman, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg

• Brian Zoubek, Freshman, Center, 3.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Why They Can Surprise:
Josh McRoberts is not your typical big man. The 6-10 sophomore dishes out over three assists per game and has a better assist to turnover ratio than the point guard. He’s a great passer and likes to step away from the basket, which opens the lane for cutters and easy lay-ups. McRoberts does his fair share of scoring too and is a solid rebounder.

The Blue Devils defense has some weaknesses, but overall they only give up 60.8 points per game and allow the opposition to shoot under 42% from the floor. McRoberts is a defensive presence under the basket and averages 2.4 blocks per game. However, quality scoring big men have proven that they can have big games against Duke. After McRoberts, the depth up front can become a problem. Freshman Lance Thomas and glue guy David McClure are important roleplayers, but the absence of McRoberts on the floor quickly turns Duke into a one-dimensional perimeter orientated squad.

Why Duke Can Disappoint:
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Duke averages 15.4 per game and that problem falls on point guard Greg Paulus. The sophomore has a tendency of forcing passes and must work within the flow of the game more effectively. Backcourt mate DeMarcus Nelson is the teams leading scorer, but unlike most of the Duke squad, tends to get into early foul trouble.

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Who To Watch:
The success or failure of Duke could depend on the play of a couple of freshmen guards. Jon Scheyer is a good outside shooter and usually earns a starting job. The 6-5 Northbrook, IL product has the ability to get hot and put up 25 points, but he can also disappear for games at a time. If Coach K wants a more athletic group on the floor, he will look to Gerald Henderson. Henderson is a more complete player than the catch and shoot Scheyer and can get to the basket and help out on the glass.

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 70.2 (144th in nation, 12th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 61.5 (30, 1)

Field-Goal Percentage: 46.9 (50, 8)

Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (100, 5)

Free-Throw Percentage: 69.2 (165, 8)

Rebound Margin: 4.7 (39, 3)

Assists Per Game: 13.2 (188, 9)

Turnovers Per Game: 15.4 (225, 9)

Joel’s Bracket Says: First Round loss to VCU

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