Freshman Phenom Kyrie Irving Surpassing Expectations at Duke

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Late October in 2009, Kyrie Irving announced his college decision before the nation on ESPNU recruiting insider. Irving was down to Texas A&M, Kentucky and Duke, but we obviously know where he ended up.

As soon as Irving announced his college discretion Duke fans prepped for a possible one-and-done guard. Not just any one-and-done guard, but a Jay Williams type of guard.

Remember his career as a Duke Blue Devil? However, even Jay Williams admits that Irving is currently ahead of him when he was at his stage.

That is something I can agree with. Irving has done very well, leading the Blue Devils to believe he could make up for some of what they lost when star point guard Jon Scheyer graduated.

Irving picked up his third ACC rookie of the week honor after putting on a show against Butler, and Michigan State. He has already jumped in the record books after nailing 13 free-throws against the Spartans, while recording the fourth 30-point outing for a freshman in Duke history.

Senior guard Nolan Smith has said before, Irving is a veteran. During every ranked game, or big game for that matter, Irving is the one to step up.

Unlike many young point guards, Irving takes care of the ball, penetrates the lane and finishes around the rim in easy fashion.

In 28.9 minutes of action, Irving is the second leading scorer for the No. 1 team in the nation at 17.4 points per game. He also adds 3.8 rebounds, and team-highs in both, assist with 5.1, as well as steals with 1.5 per game.

Irving is on pace to become the first ACC Rookie of the Year since Kyle Singler embraced the honors in '08.

Nonetheless, he is currently listed as doubtful against Bradley due to a toe injury that occurred against Butler in the second half that caused him to limp off the floor.

FoxSports.com reports that Irving is in a walking boot, and did not practice with the team on Monday. With such an easy schedule, Coach Mike Krzyzewski might give his talented freshman the game off.

Irving has the potential to be one of the best freshman in the Blue Devils storied history. He has helped Duke get off to a hot (8-0) start and out-dueled many point guards in the process.

By now, it's clear that all previous expectations need to be raised when referring to Kyrie Irving.

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Butler, Duke Re-Match From March; Duke Wins Again, 82-70

Posted by CoHoops Josh Dhani

 

It was a re-match of last season’s National Championship. The Duke Blue Devils were leading, 61-59, over the Butler Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were the Cinderella team entering this match-up, but the Blue Devils came out on top with their great veteran experience from coach Mike Krzyzweski. Gordon Hayward had a chance to win the game for Butler, almost making a half-court shot to win the game, but it barely missed!

With Hayward gone, the Bulldogs hoped to bring revenge still on the Devils. It was basically a game going back and forth. But later in the game, star-player Shelvin Mack would injury himself with cramps. He would not return. With that, the Bulldogs were in a hole. But they would bounce back. But later in the second half, Kyrie Irving would get hot, and he would help end the game for a Duke win, 82-70. The Blue Devils improve to 8-0 while Butler falls to 4-3.

This would be Coach K’s 876th career victory, passing coach Rupp on the all-time wins list.

“I’m going to win more I think than Coach Rupp, God bless him, who won’t win any more,” Krzyzewski said of the late coach. “He won a lot of them and he won them in his way and they didn’t play as many games then. Each era has outstanding achievements by individuals, whether they be players or coaches and in this era I’ve been fortunate to have some.

“It’s tough to compare,” Krzyzewski said. “I much rather would have tied him in April than today because I’m going to keep coaching and we should win more games. You get too caught up with what your own team is doing to focus on that kind of stuff.”

It’s the 18th straight win overall for Duke now. Nolan Smith had 24 points while Irving had 21, including 17 in the second half. Like mentioned earlier, Irving hit two keys three-pointers to finish the game off.

“Nolan did a tremendous job tonight. He played like a veteran,” Irving said. “He put us on his back in the second half of this game.”

Smith said, “Kyrie brings a lot. He’s a dangerous point guard.”

Butler will face Xavier next while Duke will the Bradley Braves.
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