DURHAM -- For the most part, Duke's basketball players didn't need the school's highly regarded medical facilities during the offseason.
Reserve guard Jordan Davidson had back surgery, but none of the Blue Devils players who were recruited with scholarships has needed surgery since the end of last season.
With Duke opening practice with its "Countdown to Craziness" event at Cameron Indoor Stadium tonight, coach Mike Krzyzewski said the team's good health led to significant player improvement in the offseason.
"They haven't been rehabilitating," Krzyzewski said Thursday during his preseason media conference. "They've been working on their games. That's a huge thing."
Krzyzewski said Duke's starting lineup entering camp consists of veterans Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler in the backcourt, with brothers Mason and Miles Plumlee in the frontcourt.
Mason Plumlee is a freshman, and Miles is a sophomore who played sparingly last season. Miles has added close to 20 pounds of muscle and now carries 240 pounds on his 6-foot-10 frame.
Senior forward Lance Thomas will be a sixth player who essentially functions as a starter. The 6-8 Thomas is up 16 pounds to 228.
"I'm in probably in the best shape I've been in since I've been here," Thomas said. "... I'm in a good place right now, so I'm ready to take off."
The offseason player development contrasts with recent years, when Brian Zoubek, Greg Paulus and Gerald Henderson were among the players who have endured offseason surgery. Krzyzewski hopes the team's health this season will help the team build after posting a 30-7 record, winning the ACC Tournament and reaching the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
With two 6-10 starters (the Plumlees) and a 6-8 wing (Singler), Krzyzewski's 30th team at Duke will be one of the biggest he has ever coached. But Duke has only three scholarship guards in Scheyer, Smith and freshman Andre Dawkins.
Aside from Smith, none of Duke's players excels at creating shots off the dribble. As a result, Krzyzewski said the Blue Devils will run a lot of motion offense instead of set plays.
"We'll advance the ball quicker than we did last year, but we'll do it with the pass and try to get an early offense going," Krzyzewski said.
Krzyzewski is noted for tinkering with his system based on his players' strengths. With a big, athletic team that's had a productive offseason, the players are eager to see what they can do as practice begins.
"I haven't heard this much excitement about the first day or the Blue-White scrimmage since I've been here," said Scheyer, a senior. "I think people are really excited about it. I know the guys are on the team. I can't wait, personally."
