Duke sees their season come an end with 77-54 loss

Posted On: March 26, 2009 By: Cliff Comments: (more)

It was a cold shooting night for the Duke Blue Devils and it was pretty much embarassing to watch them play the entire second half against a quicker Villanova team. Duke shot just 16 of 60 from the floor for just 26.7% as they seen their season come to an end with a 77-54 loss to the Wildcats.

Duke took a 5-0 lead to start the game but after that it was all Villanova. They used a very tight defense with a lot of hand checking to slow down Gerald Henderson and Jon Scheyer. The defense caused the Blue Devils to shoot terrble and not even run their offense most of the game. It was truely embarassing to watch in my opinion. Henderson finished with just seven points on 1 of 14 shooting while Scheyer had 13 points but missed plenty of wide open shots.

The one player that stepped up and actuallly showed something during the second half I thought was Kyle Singler. Singler added 15 points for the Blue Devils but was actually showing some emotion out there and trying to do something with the basketball. He was atleast making some shots for himself.

So now the long off season starts for the players and coaching staff. The coaches will continue recruiting while the players will hopefully have a strong and dedicated off season to get stronger. The big question this offseason is if Gerald Henderson will be back or not?

Category: Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Game Notes

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10 Responses to “Duke sees their season come an end with 77-54 loss”

Paul Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I really hope he comes back. I think Duke can make a nice run at the championship with him, Singler, Scheyer and add Elliot Williams coming into his own. They need to add a big guy that can be a real threat in the middle.
Nova Nation Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
WOOOOOOOO NOVA BABY!!! Tastes like the Big East…EAT IT DOOK!!!
Canydman25 Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Duke x 1 athlete = 0 championships
Paul Rappaport Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Don’t get me started! I am a 1978 grad and have seen every significant game since. First of all, Duke will never win another championship as long as Coach K is at the helm!!!!!!!!!!!! He must go!!!!!!! Another big game where his players were overwhelmed, unprepared,and greatly underperformed. How many Mcdonald”s All Americans did Nova have? How many All Americans did VCU and West VA have the last two years? Don’t tell me that we didn’t have the talent to get to the Final 4 yet again. No big man is a factor in the big picture but just an excuse here. We did just fine against Texas’ big man and besides Nova didn’t have one either. Once again, absolutely no adjustments by coach during the debacle or at halftime! Duke had no flow, no movement, no discipline on offense or defence. No one was able to keep his man in front of him the entire game. How many lay ups did Nova get??? Complete confusion on the court the entire game! That my friends is coaching! Did anyone see the Xavier/Pittsburg game. What a joke. Can’t tell me that with our talent we shouln’t blow out Pittsburg!! They have not consistent offense and how many times did Xavier players get to the rim? A joke of a defense as well! The Duke game was an embarrassment for all Duke fans. The only players who made a difference last night were Elliot Williams ( who needed to drive more and be more aggressive – however he sucks at the foul line – a problem in itself) and Brian Zoubeck who seems to be improving. At times last night coach had only two scorers on the floor at the same time (when we were unable to score anyway) , he was never able to design any effective plays coming out of a timeout, and was never able to calm down Henderson who seemed rushed and flustered all night. In regard t o Henderson and Singler, Henderson would be out of his mind to consider the NBA coming off probably the worst performance of his life and until Singler can learn to be more court aware and learn to play defense – he unfortunately must stay as well. Yes unfortunately, even when Singler gets 15-20 points he hurts the team in so many ways! Just watch a game and focus on him. He gets burned on D at least 10 times a game, misses easy putbacks, and generally is unaware of other offense players around him who routinely get around him to get offense rebounds. We have the players year in and year out – we just need the coaching to be able to get the most out of them. Since 2001, Duke teams have brutally underperformed. The true sign of a good leader is to be able to get the most out of talent. Lastly, with about 5 minutes left when it was so obvious that the game was long over, why did coach not pull his pathetic starters( and give his highly regarded recruits who usually rot on the bench and cannot improve without playing)and give his other kids a chance? He puts Pocious in with about a minute left – what an insult and a joke! He had a senior on the end of the bench who works hard all year and never sees action-he should have been given an opportunity!! What about Plumlee ( a raw but skilled and athletic BIG MAN )? Why should he return to Duke next year?? If I were him, I would tell my brother Mason to go elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duke, a program on the serious decline!! We need a change and fast!!!! I know Coach has a lifetime contract but if enough of us speak out who knows what could happen!! What about Coach Capel – you dont think he would jump at the chance??? I would love to hear some feedback from fellow Duke fans. Feel free to E-mail me.
Brandon Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
This kind of a duke team can win 25 years ago.
PONNY Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
WHEN A TEAM CAN SLIDE THEIR FEET FASTER THAN YOU CAN DRIBBLE AND DRIBBLE FASTER THAN YOU CAN SLIDE YOUR FEET YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS. DUKE WILL NOT WIN THE BIG ONE AGAIN UNTIL THE FASHION TREND CHANGES BACK TO THE HIGH TOP FADE AND HE THEY CAN GET THE ATHLETES LIKE THE TWO HILLS AND DAVIS ALL AT ONCE. THE SHORT HAIR FADE WAS IN STYLE WHEN J-WILL AND DUHON PLAYED BUT NOW THE TREND IS TATTOO PLAYERS OR THE PLAYERS WHO ARE TEMPORARILLY SPORTING THE BRAIDS OR DESIGNS CUT IN THERE HEAD. EVENTHOUGH THESE PLAYERS ARE QUALIFIED TO ATTEND DUKE THEY ARE OPTING FOR MORE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. NOW THIS IS JUST A FUN THEORY WHICH HAS NO TRUE BASIS AT ALL. UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THAT KENNY BOYNTON WHO IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS AT GUARD, CHOSE FLORIDA OVER THE SCHOOL WHO APPEARED TO HAVE THE UPPER HAND. KENNY HAS BRAIDS? I ADMIRE THE FACT THAT THE DUKIES ARE SELECTIVE IN WHAT TYPE OF IMAGE THEY WANT THERE PLAYERS TO HAVE BUT CAUTION THEM TO STOP JUDGING THE BOOK BY ITS COVER. YOU WILL NOT SEE THE FINAL FOUR AGAIN UNTIL YOU DO.
g man Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Being a Big East fan for the last 30 years, and a SU season ticket holder for 24 years, I admit to not having much affection for V Nova, but gotta give a big Huzzah for leveling the Blue Devils. Some times cruise control just doesn’t cut it. Aparently unused to digging a hole, they were ill prepared to climb out of one. Congrats to the Wildcats, condolences to you Dukies. Gotta admit that Coack K is a funny guy after listening to him on the Dan Partick show, but I guess he shoulda studied more film instead of craking wise on the radio.

Don’t see much hope for the Lacrosse team either what with 3 losses already, and Virginia still on the schedule.
jaywhite Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Paul Rappaport; It’s good to hear some sense instead of blaming the players. Coach K doesn’t coach. Even a HS coach would instill more discipline on Henderson and Singler on offense. Once they get the ball no shot is too ridiculous. I’ve seen every Duke game. I knew Henderson would have a game like last night because all he does usually is use his strength ,speed and leaping ability. Singler and Henderson constantly forced shots when Scheyer had a much better shot. Duke has a lot of talent, IMO, as much as Villanova. But Jay Wright completely outcoached K. He doesn’t care. If he is coaching the best players in the world getting ready for the Olympics, it just human nature to become very bored with NCAA basketball and it shows.

If anyone needs an example of how a very good coach could take a team with much less talent than the opponent , and beat the opponent : Pete Carril of Princeton. Coach K is the opposite of Pete Carril. No one does less with top rated HS players than Coach K.
trevor Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 4:26 am
hard to win without your traveling NC referees isnt it ! smoked !
ken Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
In reflection, it was a great game for the Wildcats! Duke could not contend with Villanova’s team speed on offense and defense. I went to Villanova but I have lived my entire life in Maryland which is ACC country. Those of you who want to get rid of Coach K are just fair weather friends. The guy is a genius and a great coach. You obviously wouldn’t pay ten cents to watch Christ walk a tight rope! I was ready to levy a bunch of hate regarding your team and the man-crushes that the referees bring to each Duke game. However, I see that you have brought enough of your own hate and criticisms to this conversation. Shame on you for kicking your own program when it is down. Be thankful that you are not one of the ACC teams that is always on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA tourney.