In Matt Brady's six years as the Dukes head coach, he has recorded three 20 win seasons and a CAA conference championship. However, after each 20 year season, sub-par records of 13-20 and 12-20 followed the next year, mainly because of injuries. Even though the lack of consistency is clear, the Dukes are due for success. For example, the Dukes finished last year with a 11-20 record. Meaning, if history repeats itself, they are due for another 20 win season, right?
If the Dukes do have another 20 win season in them, this year hasn't started off like it could be the one. With two former starters suspended-Andre Nation (15pts/gm) and Tom Vodanovich (4pts/gm)-and a tough exhibition loss to the DII Philadelphia University, the 20 win season looks far stretched. However, the Dukes have a roster full of young potential mixed with Juniors that have senior leadership. Junior starting guards Winston Grays and Ron Curry both had good scrimmages and look to carry it into the season opener against UVA. Curry is the Duke point guard who finished last year with a solid 12 points and 3.3 assists. Grays is a recent transfer from a DII community college who lead his team to a 29-5 season last year. He is a sharp-shooter from beyond the ark and looks to space out the floor for the Duke offense. If the Dukes have any hope of pulling off another 20 win season, Curry and Grays will certainly play a major role in it.
The young potential comes from the sophomores Yohanny Dalembert and Paulius Satkus. Satkus had an outstanding scrimmage shooting 8-9 with 20 points. He averaged only 7 minutes a game last year but if he continues to shoot the ball well and score his playing time will surely increase. Dalembert has a similar story averaging only 11 minutes a game last year and like Paulius, his time will be sure to increase if he continues to thrive in the paint.
These players and the rest of the Duke squad are hopeful to once again come back from a poor previous season. If everyone stays healthy and out of trouble, the chances of history repeating itself look good for Brady's Dukes.
Photo Credits: http://photos.dnronline.com/?p=8162
If the Dukes do have another 20 win season in them, this year hasn't started off like it could be the one. With two former starters suspended-Andre Nation (15pts/gm) and Tom Vodanovich (4pts/gm)-and a tough exhibition loss to the DII Philadelphia University, the 20 win season looks far stretched. However, the Dukes have a roster full of young potential mixed with Juniors that have senior leadership. Junior starting guards Winston Grays and Ron Curry both had good scrimmages and look to carry it into the season opener against UVA. Curry is the Duke point guard who finished last year with a solid 12 points and 3.3 assists. Grays is a recent transfer from a DII community college who lead his team to a 29-5 season last year. He is a sharp-shooter from beyond the ark and looks to space out the floor for the Duke offense. If the Dukes have any hope of pulling off another 20 win season, Curry and Grays will certainly play a major role in it.
The young potential comes from the sophomores Yohanny Dalembert and Paulius Satkus. Satkus had an outstanding scrimmage shooting 8-9 with 20 points. He averaged only 7 minutes a game last year but if he continues to shoot the ball well and score his playing time will surely increase. Dalembert has a similar story averaging only 11 minutes a game last year and like Paulius, his time will be sure to increase if he continues to thrive in the paint.
These players and the rest of the Duke squad are hopeful to once again come back from a poor previous season. If everyone stays healthy and out of trouble, the chances of history repeating itself look good for Brady's Dukes.
Photo Credits: http://photos.dnronline.com/?p=8162