What does Duke's incoming class look like?

[civileng68]

Okay, so I fell off the earth for a while. What does the incoming class look like in comparison for next year?

Also, do you think this year's performance will hurt recruiting at all?

Lastly, is Carolina losing anyone to the draft (underclassman)?

[DukeBlood]

Duke has 3 recruits coming in for this year

Kyle Singler- Ranked in the Top-5 by recruiting sites. Said to be the most complete player in his class, 6'8 Forward who can handle the ball, Shoot the 3and post up.

Taylor King- Ranked in the Top-30 by recruiting sites. A 6'7 SF that is one of the most dangerious shooters in this class. Very strong rebounder but may take some time to develope some inside game.

Nolan Smith- A 6'3 Combo guard. Plays for one of the best High School programs(Oak Hill) and like Singler is a very complete player. Nice shooting touch with fairly decent range. Above average defender. PROBABLY wont see alot of time next year due to Paulus, Scheyer, Nelson, Henderson, and Pocious.

Also, Duke is trying to land Pattrick Patterson for this year as well. He reminds me of Shelden Williams(from what i've seen). Strong inside game, and just a beast defensively. Ranked in the Top-10 on recruiting sites.

You speak as if this years been a losing season for Duke. I dont believe it will because they still have over 20 wins with a few games left.

Carolina- From what i have read/heard. Wright, Hans, Lawson are all players who could leave. But dont be surprised if they all stay.

[Bob Green]

We have a great class coming. The three recruits who have committed are all McDonald's All Americans: Kyle Singler, Taylor King, & Nolan Smith. We are still pursuing Patrick Patterson who is also a MCDAA.

Kyle Singler is the highest ranked recruit. He attends South Medford High School and is a multi-talented 6'8" forward. A good website to find info on his high school performance is:

http://www.oregonlive.com

Taylor King attends Mater Dei High School. He is a 6'8" forward who is comfortable in the post of defense but is a wing player offensively. You can follow him at:

http://www.latimes.com or http://www.ocregister.com

Nolan Smith attends Oak Hill Academy. His high school team has already finished their season. He is a 6'3" combo guard.

Bob Green
Yokosuka, Japan

[civileng68]

You speak as if this years been a losing season for Duke.

I knew that was coming, and deservedly so. I don't for a second consider this a losing season. In fact I think THIS team has overachieved as a whole, though I think some guys have underachieved.

I simply mean from a recruiting standpoint, this team is not a typical Duke team.

[Skitzle]

put simply, our incoming class looks like beautiful.

Is the Duke pursuing Jai Lucas rumor just a rumor?

[civileng68]

I'd love to see Duke land Patterson. I think there's a need for a defensive beast on D down low. I love the style of Shelden and if we can get a guy with that style we'll have a really powerful team.

by the way, do you guys think Zoubek has a bright future with Duke down in the center spot?

[DukeBlood]

Didnt mean to jump on you. I know its not a "Typical" Duke team. But they are a fun team to watch after you get done pulling out your hair

Duke is recruiting Jai Lucas, Not like Pattrick Patterson though. They want another PG(not a combo guard) but the chances of Lucas coming are Slim to None(From what i have read).

Eventually I think Zoubek will be a very solid player. He plays with passion, and outside of his traveling problems is a very efficient scorer. Needs to learn to stay out foul trouble and a little better on the D side.

[Karl Beem]

I'd love to see Duke land Patterson. I think there's a need for a defensive beast on D down low. I love the style of Shelden and if we can get a guy with that style we'll have a really powerful team.

by the way, do you guys think Zoubek has a bright future with Duke down in the center spot?

Something about McBobs' defensive presence that bothers you? We need offense down low.

[Lord Ash]

A lot of fellow Duke fans think that, regardless of if we keep Josh or lose him and get Patterson, next year's team might be a title contender. The three incoming guys are GOOD. Singler looks slow and unimpressive, but then you realize that he just scores and scores and SCORES. Inside, outside; his moves are slow but very smart. King is said to have an AMAZINGLY quick release and almost limitless range; a 6'8 guy who can REALLY shoot. Also, he said that he has focused his ENTIRE senior year strictly on playing defense, as he knows that is what the Duke coaches want. I've seen some clips of Smith, and he seems able to score; plus, he is SICKENINGLY athletic, able to throw it down in fabulous style.

If you want, do some searches on youtube, you'll find some various clips and montages.

[smklin]

yea, im definitely excited about zoubek. the travelling is definitely a problem, but that's something that he can work on and phase out. it's been a while since duke has had a pure center who was worth fearing (i consider brand and williams more of power fowards). it seems like every time he gets the ball in the post and doesnt travel, he scores. as he gets stronger i think he'll be a real force.

[riverside6]

Smith and Singler Video

Hard not to like what you see here.

[Clipsfan]

As have been mentioned, we have yet another wave of studs entering next year. As much as I'm salivating at the thought of next year's team, I'm still going to enjoy this one a ton.

UNC may have to focus on this year, although the word is that they're most likely only losing Wright. Projected as a possible third pick behind the super 2of Oden and Durant, it will probably be hard for him to stay at Carolina. I don't think that Hansborough is likely to go, as supposedly his game won't translate to the pros as well as he'd like. Having said that, we've said the same thing about guys like Sean May, and been wrong (maybe only I thought that he'd struggle some in the pros as a chubby power forward). May was better suited to the pro offensive game, though.

[heyman25]

Zoubek is a project. He has not scored in about 12 games and he is 7'1. He makes the same mistakes every game. He will improve I hope, but I have seen nothing to show me we can count on him to do well in the post position. Against non conference teams he is alright, but in the ACC he is a pushover. He can't even get position to grab a defensive board half the time he is in.

[Dukebacker]

Next year

3 studs coming in. We will probably have the deepest bench in the nation along with one of the most talented teams. It will be interesting to see who plays a lot.

PG-Will obvious be Paulus. Injuries slowed him this year. The guy is starting to get on a roll. Smith and Scheyer could get a lot of time here too especially if Greg gets off to a slow start.
SG-Scheyer? Henderson? Maybe Nels here and King at 3? It will be interesting to see what happens here.
SF-Nels is more then likely to start here and Scheyer and Henderson will battle it out for the SG position. King will play a lot. As well as Singler
PF-Lance Thomas-He will be better with experience and ready to go. Will split a lot of time with McClure.
Other Forward-McRoberts(hopefully) Hopefully he will stay once he sees Durant Oden and Wright fo to the NBA and Zoub will back up.

Just my take...hopefully thats what happens. Next year will definately be a contender year especially if McRobs comes back.

GO DUKE

[Duke15304]

Singler just looks like a scorer on the videos from rivals, Kings shot is a really fast release like it was said before, it will be tough to stop b/c his height, im glad to hear he has worked on his D, i didnt watch any vids of Nolan, but he looked good in the game that was on espn

[civileng68]

Something about McBobs' defensive presence that bothers you? We need offense down low.

Absolutely not. I think McRoberts shock blocking ability is great and I think he moves well defensively. However, what I'm talking about is a guy who can go down low and bang with guys who are massive and meaty. I think McRoberts handles big men well but, I think my point is, how nice would it be to have a solid center (though Zoubek could be that since I love his D) who can bang along with a PF who can step in and create a nearly unpenetrable baseline?

It wasn't a knock on McBob as much as it was a salivation of what could be with a stud big man down low.

[Lord Ash]

Singler will start almost immediately next year from EVERYTHING I have heard and read.

[hurleyfor3]

Also, Duke is trying to land Pattrick Patterson for this year as well. He reminds me of Shelden Williams(from what i've seen).

He reminds me of Shelden in that everyone is going to mess up his name. I mean, all those T's.

[Bob Green]

Taylor King scored 32 points as Mater Dei defeated Compton in the CIF Southern Sectionals semi-finals.

http://www.ocvarsity.com/schedules/d...8&gameID=32826

The ability to follow the high school careers of top prospects is a definite advantage of the internet age.

Bob Green
Yokosuka, Japan

[watzone]

http://myblogdevils.eponym.com/blog/...ballRecruiting