Analysis of the Evil Empire

One of the many perks of working for ISP here at Virginia Tech is the chance to sit courtside for a minimum of eight ACC men's basketball contests per season. After an internship at Carolina, a season of hoops at Clemson, and three here at VT, it is almost odd watching a game from anywhere else; less stressful, yes, but not quite as good a vantage point. Besides not having to worry about a 6-6 guy standing in front of you or a sorority girl screaming at the wrong time behind you, an All-Access pass allows you to see and hear things not many are priviledged to; sometimes, it also leads to a 6-6 guy tumbling over the table into your lap, but that's another story. Anyway, it is easy to get a read on how focused a team is watching the pre-game warm-ups and "get hype" mosh pit in the tunnels. It is always entertaining to hear the coaches during the game. And finally, it is fun to see a team celebrate a big win or tough to watch them grieve a heart-breaking defeat.


On Saturday, Coach K and the 2008-2009 version of the Duke Blue Devils rolled into town for a matchup with the Hokies, a nationally televised contest and a shot for VT to make a move off the NCAA Tournament bubble in the positive direction. This Wednesday night, Carolina comes calling, extending the same opportunity to Seth Greenberg's squad. I thought that the rare chance to see two programs of such stature would be a good way to compare and contrast them. Here are my thoughts and observations of the Duke Blue Devils, up close and personal:

• Saturday started for Team Duke around 1:30pm when the team bus arrived at Cassell Coliseum. The Dookies were off the bus and out to shoot around early, each player loosening up at his own pace after ankle tapings and such. All of the players were dressed exactly the same: short-sleeved blue and white Nike Elite shooting shirts and black shooting pants. No one was in shorts or a different shirt or an extra layer of clothing. A reflection of Coach K's military training no doubt.
• I came back out from a Hokie Club function with 75 minutes on the pre-game countdown. Duke's players were just finishing their individual work. The team huddled for a brief moment, then lined up across the baseline. Paulus led the players as they walked baseline to endline and back, with jogging, high knees, shuffling, etc. Everyone then gathered (after Gerald Henderson slapped hands with every team member - he is definitely the leader here) in pairs to stretch each other out. I watched as each player went through seven or so different stretches, counting loudly in unison to ten or fifteen depending on the stretch. Another influence from the military days.
• The Blue Devils did not whoop it up in the locker room much before the game. Some synchronized clapping, then a short talk from what I could hear. They did circle up in the tunnel and mosh for ten seconds or so before running out to a chorus of boos. Nothing fancy, no craziness...just focus and confidence. LOTS of confidence.
• Nolan Smith sat on the bench in a team jumpsuit with earplugs to alleviate the pain that the noise of the fans could cause post-concussion.
• Coach K, in the early part of his career, was known for really screaming at the officials. However, following two decades of excellence, he has earned the ability to just plead his case with a few quick words. It is quite rare nowadays to see him fly off the handle and just go balistic about a call. There are other coaches in the ACC that I cannot say the same for...not naming any names of course. One call on a ball out-of-bounds did not go his way and all he said to official Bob Donato was "that's impossible", meaning the ball could not possibly have gone off his player and landed over the inline. And, he was right. Of course, he can still go off at any given moment like he did during a timeout late in the second half. K actually picked up a chair off the bench like he was about to throw it or break it due to his frustration with his team's ability to stop the ball.
• Assistant coaches Steve Wojohousekey (sic) and Chris Collins catch a lot of flack from opposing fans (two careers of filling the "annoying white guy on Duke" role will do that for you), but there are likely not two more intense assistants in the ACC. Wojo was out early watching the players closely during pre-game and had a couple of pep talks with inidividuals during the game. Collins, who looks more like his father, Doug Collins, everyday, worked the officials on behalf of Coach K a few times. Included in this was an incorrect protest of not allowing substitutions to enter the game, to which he admitted his mistake with a "my bad, I messed up".
• Chris Carrawell and Nate James, both on the Blue Devils' staff now following Johnny Dawkins leaving for the head gig at Stanford (I am actually typing this in a Stanford shirt and shorts...thanks), could both suit up and play right now. James worked a good bit in pre-game with the guys on the floor, as a post-up defender, passer, and rebounder. Carrawell, a grad assistant, observed intently from the sideline most of the afternoon.
• Yes, the entire army of goons travels with Duke on the road, or at least it seems like it. Duke added five additional chairs to the end of their bench (leaving one manager nearly sitting on our table courtside), plus had three folks behind the bench in charge of the coolers and towels. Not to mention four more of the traveling party who sat in the first row behind the bench.
• Speaking of, there was a particularly attractive Dukette on the second row of the Blue Devils' seat. Blond, athletic, and not obnoxious from what I saw. So yes, they do exist. Who knew?
• As for the players themselves, I was surprised at how small the Blue Devils are. Yes, we all know they do not have much height on their frontline, but none of their guys are bulky either. Singler must be incredibly strong in his core and legs to bang in the post as much as he does, because it sure is not obvious on the rest of him. Scheyer looks like a marathoner more than a basketball player (and a douchebag more than a marathoner...oops, sorry). This is in stark contrast to a team like Georgia Tech, which has the thickest frontline players I've ever seen. Too bad only one of them has a lick of basketball skills (that will change next year when Derrick Favors pairs with Lawal - oh my).
• When I say Duke has no height, I mean none except for Brian Zoubek. Chewbek, as I have called him for three years now, is a giant. When Neil Fingleton and his 7-6 British mullet patrolled the grounds at UNC my freshman year, people gawked at him. Chewy got a similar reception from the Virginia Tech fans on Saturday. He's not much better than Fingleton, but I did have a friend who thought Fingleton would play in the NBA. Gotta love Jarhead. By the way, click on the Fingleton link, it's worth five minutes at least.
• Gerald Henderson is on another level as an athlete, but he is still a bit streaky. VT really clamped down on him in the second half, playing him with one-and-a-half defenders (allowing Singler to kill them...awesome). Henderson had three dunks and a block that were nuts, including a Stackhouse-esque reverse on the baseline that made me jump out of my seat (way to stay professional, I know).
• VT students chanted "T-bag Paulus" every time he entered the game and serenaded Singler with "you're a p****". Hokies Respect!
• I am not at all one to whine and complain about officiating, and I am not about to right now. I will acknowledge that Duke "gets" a lot of calls, especially in the block/charge department. There were nine (I think) offensive fouls called on the Hokies, including six charges to just one block. This has to do with two factors that stem from Coach K's defensive philosophy. First, Duke rotates on defense better than any team in the ACC, year in and year out. Second, they sell the charge and are willing to step in to take it. Every. Single. Player. Tough, smart, and solid gamesmanship. Do I think all of those calls were right? I'd say the odds are no. But, you have to give the Devils credit for their efficiency on the defensive end.

All in all, I was very impressed with Duke. They are organized, team-oriented, and a group with one singular focus: winning games. This is not a national title team this year, probably not a Final Four team either. But, watching the way Coach K runs his ship and the way the players and coaches respond is really cool. Remember, Darth Vader had some good qualities too and made Luke Skywalker that much better, just as Duke serves this purpose for North Carolina. But also remember who's the Dark Side and which side wins out in the end.

More from the lighter and brighter shade of blue after Wednesday night's game. Hopefully we'll have a chance to analyze the college basketball landscape soon before the end of the regular season, and I promise a look at the Tar Heels as it relates to the big picture and their title hopes before the Big Dance. It's back to sports, specifically college hoops, here at The Blue Team for the next month plus. March Madness is finally upon us and it's going to be one heck of a fun ride.