Monthly Archives: May 2012

Christian Laettner addresses media at K Academy

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At the 10th annual K Academy, Duke basketball’s five-day fantasy camp run by men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and former players, Christian Laettner spoke to the media about a variety of topics, including his aspirations to become a head coach and his relationships with members of the team.

Laettner has most recently been in the news for his legal troubles, according to the Wall Street Journal owing debtors up to $30 million along with partner Brian Davis.

This year he tried his hand at coaching, working as an assistant with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA Developmental League.

Below are excerpts from Laettner’s discussion with the media.

On the process of becoming a coach:

I hired an agent, Lonnie Cooper, out of Atlanta, so he’s trying to find me something, and that’s what you need when you’re trying to get into the coaching world…Lonnie’s on the job and a few other people are on the job and hopefully something will happen for me. And, if it doesn’t, hopefully I can go back to the D-League in the fall and work there.

On his first experience as a coach with the Mad Ants:

I learned a lot there. I had a blast. I loved it. It’s very enjoyable, very easy, very rewarding to be out there on the court. So, that was a lot of fun. I loved it except for being away from my wife and my kids.

On whether he would prefer to coach in the NBA or college:

I would say NBA most likely. That’s what I would choose if I could…. That pro level of basketball is what you always strive to reach and play at and coach and affect somehow someway. That’s why I’m attracted to the pro game. I loved it, even when I was on teams that weren’t very good, I still loved it. I loved the whole form of entertainment. I think that’s what would suit me best.

On being a more renowned college player but still wanting to coach in the NBA:

That might be the case but just because you’re more renowned for something doesn’t mean you like it better. And I loved the college experience but the pros is just a lot of fun.

On potentially coaching at Duke:

If the opportunity arose I would probably consider it. But they’ve got a long line and I don’t want to leap frog anybody or screw up the system in anyway. So, that’s a tough ‘if.’ I don’t see that happening, so I’m not even really thinking about that. Now, if they had Coach K and then one assistant maybe I’d consider that.

On his coaching style:

That’s a self-critiquing job and I don’t do that very often. As an assistant coach I tried to be friends with them more than anything–real respectful to them, have fun with them, goof around with them. And once they accepted me I might mention one or two things they can do a little better, like on a free throw or something. I think as an assistant coach, though, you just try to be friendly with them. Now, as a head coach it’s different, you can’t be friends with all of them. And that’s a whole different dichotomy there. But for this experience just try to be friends, support them, encourage them and push them.”

On how head coach Mike Krzyzewski affects him as a coach:

I think that’s probably 50 percent of what I deliver out there as a coach. He’s affecting every mannerism, the way you’re delivering your talk, your words, how you’re showing them things, defensive philosophies out there. He comes into play a lot. And like I said 50 percent of my overall coaching style I’m trying to replicate–not replicate–use as influence.

On his legal troubles and his relationship with Krzyzewski:

He’s somebody I confide in and ask for advice and suggestions from, yes. He’s been doing it for 20 years, ever since I left. He helps me in good times. He helps me in bad times. He helps me through everything and that’s the greatest resource he is to me.

On coming back to Duke for the K Academy:

To see all my buddies, old teammates, guys I looked up to when I was in high school, or guys I’ve been following since I left Duke is just a lot of fun. I think a lot of people love [the camp] because a lot of the same coaches keep coming back.

On working with current players at the K Academy:

I always do a little bit. I’ve been here three out of the last four years, when all the Plumlees were here and Zoubek and I’ve worked out with them a little…. The last time I worked out with anyone was with Mason, Miles and Zoubek a few years ago

On Mason Plumlee:

I think he’s doing great. I just think there’s a few things he can perfect so that he can be dominant. He is dominant sometimes. I know they would like to see him more dominant all the time and I think he can do that. He has the potential to do that.

McNally resigns as baseball coach

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Director of athletics Kevin White announced the resignation of baseball head coach Sean McNally today, according to a press release from the athletic department.

The head coach since 2006, McNally had an overall record of 192-198-1, with the Blue Devils struggling mightily in ACC play, recording a 63-145-1 mark for a winning percentage of just .301. Duke finished 9-21 in the conference this year, good for last place. The team failed to make the ACC tournament in six of his seven years at the helm.

“I would like to thank Duke University and Duke Athletics for the amazing opportunity to have served as the head baseball coach at my alma mater for the last seven years,” McNally said according to the release. “The effort to become a consistent winning baseball program in Atlantic Coast Conference play has been exhausting and the results have been disappointing. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and seeking out a new professional challenge going forward.”

Under McNally, 13 players were selected in the MLB Draft with a 14th very likely in next week’s upcoming draft. Junior right-hander Marcus Stroman is expected to be a first-round selection, the first in program history.

Stroman was among the NCAA leaders with a 2.39 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 98.0 innings pitched this season.

According to the release, assistant coach Edwin Thompson will serve as interim coach until a permanent replacement is announced after a national search for a new coach that will begin immediately.

Jabari Parker and Julius Randle duel in Oakland

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In the fourth and final regular session of the Nike EYBL, Jabari Parker and Julius Randle, who are the top two players in the class of 2013 and two of Duke’s top targets, went head to head for the first time this year in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the summer. Randle finished with 23 points to lead the Texas Titans to a big victory over Parker and the Mac Irvin Fire. Blue Devil commit Matt Jones was equally stellar for the Texas Titans, netting 19 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. Jahlil Okafor, a 2014 Duke prospect, chipped in with 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Mac Irvin Fire.

The Nike EYBL will conclude in mid July at the Peach Jam, which will be tournament play for the qualifying teams.

2013 shooting guard Robert Hubbs, who recently picked up a scholarship offer from Duke, reportedly had a very strong showing with his Memphis-based AAU team, M33M, at the Best Buy Classic in Chicago over the weekend. Hubbs promises to be one of the fastest risers in the class of 2013 rankings. And in all likelihood, Hubbs will continue to garner more interest and scholarship offers from some of the nation’s top basketball programs.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff will host their first recruit of the summer this weekend when Semi Ojeleye makes the trek from Ottawa, Kansas to Durham for an unofficial visit. Ojeleye’s visit will coincide with the K Academy fantasy camp, which will bring numerous former players back to campus. While visiting, Ojeleye will likely have an opportunity to play pick up games with some of the current and former Duke players also.

North Carolina native Allerik Freeman will play at Findlay Prep in Nevada for his final season of high school basketball. Duke offered Freeman a scholarship a few weeks ago, but has not played particularly well as of late on the AAU circuit. The move out west seemingly would hurt Duke’s chances to land him and help UCLA’s and Kansas’, who are two other schools the 6-foot-4 guard is also strongly considering.

With May coming to a close, look for the Duke coaching staff try and secure unofficial visits from prospects in June before Krzyzewski and assistant coaches Steve Wojciechowski and Chris Collins begin their duties with Team USA basketball in July.

Analysis: Duke will likely offer Ojeleye a scholarship this week, if they have not already done so.

It’s very apparent that Krzyzewski and his staff do not want to be thin at the wing position in years to come, hence the number of scholarship offers out to wing-type players– Parker, Hubbs, Jones(committed), Freeman, Ishmail Wainright and potentially Ojeleye. Furthermore, it appears Duke is looking for a big, 4-5 man recruiting class in 2013.

Blue Devils fall to Maryland in semifinal rematch

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After clawing back to a 10-8 deficit early in the fourth quarter, Duke surrendered six unanswered goals to Maryland, falling 16-10 in the NCAA tournament semifinal. Maryland’s sharpshooting was on display throughout scoring 16 goals on 29 shots.

With the loss, the Blue Devils fall short of the national championship game for the second consecutive season. The Terrapins advance to Monday’s title game against Loyola (Md.). Maryland is searching for its first national championship since 1975 in a matchup with its fiercest lacrosse rival.

Duke failed to execute in Maryland’s third, especially in man-advantage situations. The Blue Devils’ extra-man unit, which has struggled all season, was unable to convert on multiple opportunities when the deficit was closed to two goals. The Terrapins took advantage of Duke’s inability to score, stringing together six goals to put the game out of reach.

The Blue Devils struggled on the defensive end, allowing its highest goal total of the season. Maryland attacked the center of Duke’s defense as nine different Terrapins found the back of the net. Dan Wigrizer only managed seven saves while allowing 13 goals before he was taken out of the game with 7:29 to play. Both Kyle Turri and Mike Rock saw action in the game’s final minutes as Duke pulled its goalies out of the cage to double the ball in hopes of mounting a comeback.

 

Blue Devils trail Maryland at halftime

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Much to Duke’s dismay, this year’s NCAA tournament semifinal is looking eerily similar to last year’s thus far.

At the half, the No. 3 seeded Blue Devils (15-4) trail unseeded Maryland (11-5) 7-4 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Six different scorers have tallied goals thus far for the Terrapins, who have controlled possession and the pace of the game for the first two quarters.

The Blue Devils were unable to create opportunities in transition in the first half, falling into the Terrapins slow pace. Maryland’s patience paid off in its shot selection, scoring seven goals on just 12 shots.

Ball movement was a struggle for Duke as the Terrapins clamped down on the defensive end. Just one of the Blue Devils’ four goals was assisted, while Maryland players recorded assists on six of the Terrapins’ seven goals.

Duke placed a high emphasis on faceoffs coming into this week’s matchup, and despite winning 7 of 12 draws, have struggled to maintain possession. Two of the Blue Devils’ four goals came off successful draws, but Duke has struggled to create offense otherwise. Stringing together goals has been one of Duke’s strengths throughout the season, but the Terrapins have been successful in keeping the Blue Devil offense out of its rhythm.

Duke will begin the second half with the man advantage after Maryland committed a one-minute penalty with 1.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter.