BLUE DEVIL TOUGHNESS
JAY BILAS INTERVIEW ARTICLE:
DEFENSE AND BOARD *Fitting end *Defensive stats *”Airport test” *Togetherness *Length *Talk *Pride *Got to do it to win
1986 vs. 2010
During the season, Coach K compared the 2009-10 Devils to his 1985-86 team, which included starting center Jay Bilas. Like the 1986 group, this year’s team was an old- school squad led by seniors who endured some adversity early on, improved every season, and ultimately peaked in their last year at Duke. Here’s a breakdown of the similar senior classes with their NCAA Tournament results.
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
1986 11-17
24-10 23-8 37-3
NCAA None
2nd Round 2nd Round Runner-Up
2010 22-11 28-6 30-7 35-5
NCAA 1st Round 2nd Round Sweet 16 Champion
those guys used the abilities that they have to gain extra possessions. So, instead of forcing turnovers like many Duke teams of the past, they were doing it by limiting you to one shot while getting second shots and really pursuing the ball without giving up fastbreak opportunities going the other way when they didn’t get it. I was really impressed with the toughness they showed and how relentless they were in the pursuit of the ball on both ends when it was up for grabs. Duke’s most memorable moments of the season to me came as a result of great toughness and character. I think of the times that Nolan Smith stepped forward and had so many great games. One of the things I remember was the loss that they had at Maryland that I happened to view courtside. They could’ve won, and then I think they did a
Who is tougher? Jay compares 1986 vs. 2010...
“I would say out of respect for the guys I played with, I think the ‘86 team was tougher in every spot but in the middle (Jay was center), where they would’ve been pounded relentlessly by the 2010 team. But at every other spot, the ’86 team with Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie, David Henderson and Tommy Amaker would be awfully difficult to deal with. it would be a game that I would’ve been honored to be a part of because of the quality of players I was playing with and you’d be lining up against.”
great job of handling that loss and springing forward from it. There were so many times when they made an adjustment. Coach K made a lineup adjustment and Brian Zoubek comes up with 17 rebounds against Maryland. I remember the way Zoubek was received as a starter, and how his teammates reacted when he would do something positive. I remember the way Mason Plumlee’s teammates reacted to his injury and his return. Those are signs of a closer, together team and reveal character. I don’t think this team was one of Coach K’s best teams, from a talent standpoint, but it may have been his best team from a character standpoint. I don’t think any team that has played at Duke has had more character than this team. I believe that banner that will hang next season represents the fist concept at Duke more than any other that has been
154 DUKE 2010
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