[J.J.Redick (left) and Sheldon Williams]
Oh how those 30-foot, no, 40-foot (plus) shots, launched at will, are but a distant memory. With ex-Duke senior and National Player of the Year, J.J. Redick, off to the NBA (drafted by the Orlando Magic), and then co-senior Sheldon "The Landlord" Williams selected by the Atlanta Hawks, who will fill the void in scoring left by their absence? Indeed, it is going to be a mammoth task this year, not only for Coach K, but for the entire Blue Devils organization.
And no one seems to expect much given the mediocre pre-season ranking of 11th handed to the Devils. No one, that is, except the Cameron Crazies, the fans, the entire organization, and anyone who is anyone and knows anything about the game that is college basketball. :-p How many a times a pre-season poll under-rates "our" program, only for Lord Sir Coach K to establish what has been a norm for literally the past decade - a number 1 ranking for the Boys in Blue (and that is the darker shade of the color mind you).
[Redick at the Wooden Awards]But this year, even a hardcore Dukie fan as myself, I am intrigued at how this season will play out. Reddick will be HUGELY missed this year for sure. And for the first time in program history (!) Duke has two sophmore captains in guard Greg Paulus and center Josh McRoberts (junior forward DeMarcus Nelson, the group's "old-timer", is the other team captain).
A young team, yes, and so it will be interesting how they each play together and how the team gels early in the season.
Nothing beats the start to a new college basketball season. A new campaign. A fresh start in establishing a hierarchy of the highest echelon teams of its sport. And as the trees turn colour in Durham, and the air bites just a little bit cooler, you know the madness is just around the corner.
