Marquette, Michigan State, and Butler, Headline 2010-2011 Non-Conference Schedule
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is one of the most competitive college men’s basketball leagues in the country. In fact, each year the Duke Blue Devils play a conference schedule that is rivaled by few in the nation, as they go head to head [twice] with the likes of the consistently ranked programs of Maryland, North Carolina, Clemson, and Wake Forest.
Yet, Duke’s grueling schedule doesn’t stop with the stout competition of the ACC. In 2010-2011, their non-conference schedule will be as tough, if not tougher, in testing the Blue Devils mettle on a nightly basis.
In the 10th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic [November 22nd and 23rd, Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO], the Blue Devils will matchup against Buzz Peterson’s Marquette squad. Marquette’s overall toughness and strong defense makes them a tough victory for any team who plays them. When they last met on November 22, 2007 Duke edged out the win 77-73, which allows them to lead the overall series 5-2. The winner of that game will face the winner of Gonzaga/Kansas State game. While Duke leads its overall series against Gonzaga 2-0 with a very lopsided win 76-41 in 2009, they have never faced Kansas State (29-8 ’10) who is picked #3in the AP and USA/ESPN preseason polls. Either way, it looks to me as though Duke will be in for two tough and challenging nights of basketball!
On December 1st, Duke will play host to one of last year’s NCAA final four participants, the Spartans of Michigan State (28-9 ’10). Coach Tom Izzo’s team is always a tough matchup, as they consistently have a very talented bunch year in and year out. With a preseason #2 ranking in the AP and USA/ESPN polls, Duke will certainly have to be on top of their game during this stretch of competition. My prediction for key matchups for this game are Kalin Lucas [Big Ten preseason player of the year nominee] against Nolan Smith, and Darrell Summers [11.3ppg in 2010] against Kyle Singler.
Finally, without taking a breath, on December 4th, at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J., Duke will play Butler University (33-5, ’10) in a game sponsored by CARQUEST Auto Parts. It will be a rematch of last year’s National Championship game. Although Butler lost Gordon Heywood to the NBA, they do return a very talented group of veterans including Shelvin Mack (12pts) and Matt Howard (11 pts) who will try to avenge their agonizing loss 61-59 to Duke last season.
FROM THE DUKE BENCH:
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “It should be an exciting game. Butler has outstanding personnel and coaching, and we will have our hands full on December 4."
FROM THE BUTLER BENCH:
Butler head coach Brad Stevens. “Obviously, playing the #1 team in the nation in Duke is very difficult, but I know our guys will be excited for the challenge.”
FACT: Last year’s NCAA Tournament final reeled in for CBS a 14.2 national viewers rating, which was the highest for an NCAA tournament championship since 2005… With Duke leading the all time series 2-0, I suspect this game will have all eyes on it as well!
There you have it… If the Duke Blue Devils are going to hold on to their #1 ranking, they are going to have to defeat some of the nation’s top programs to do it, long before the month of March ever rolls around…
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