DUKE WINS IN FINAL TUNE UP of 2010-2011 PRE SEASON

While the Duke Blue Devil’s title defense will not officially start until Sunday, November 14th when they open up at home against Princeton (15-17)at 5pm , they are primed and ready for another National Championship run if their last exhibition contest against Division II National Champion Cal-Poly Pomona on November 4^th is any indication.



Miles Plumlee

An example of what a National Champion Division I team is capable of when faced with good competition.

While Duke led most of the game despite their lackluster shooting of just 2-15 from beyond the arc, Cal-Poly Pomona put up a hard fight, as they trailed by only six points at the half, 39-33. Yet it became the second half of the game that told the story… Would we expect anything less of our Blue Devils? With a newfound adrenaline [can only imagine what Coach K’s halftime speech was like] and a ‘deny them type’ defense, Duke not only was able to force Cal Poly Pomona into 21 turnovers and hold them to just 35 percent shooting from the field, they were able to outscore CPP by twenty four with a 34-10 scoring spree in the first twelve minutes that was key in allowing them to cruise to a 81-60 victory. 

So there you have it; even on nights that Duke does not shoot the ball well, it will be their high pressure, hard-nosed defense that will still be there for them when they need it the most.

All five Duke starters finished in double figures, led by Kyle Singler and Miles Plumlee who had 14 points apiece.  Plumlee’s brother, Mason, added a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, while the backcourt of Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving combined for an impressive 25 points and 9 assists on the night.

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski on the game;

“Well we played against a very good team tonight. Those kids are very well-coached. They play hard. I guess they could be a national championship team the way they play. That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to play, and why we scheduled the Division II national champion from the year before. So that early on in the season you’re going to be tested by a team that may not be as big as you. They have talent, they are unbelievably well-coached.”

Action Photos of the Duke vs. Cal-Poly Pomona game

With the official start of College Basketball last night, Blue Devil Fans are itching for their season to begin, with the high hopes of cutting down the nets once again this March! Until next time, GO DUKE!