Irving impresses Coach K in rout

DURHAM -- If Mike Krzyzewski praises your skills before your first college game, there must be a reason.

In Duke's 141-68 demolition of St. Augustine's in an exhibition game on Saturday night, freshman Kyrie Irving showed why the Hall-of-Fame coach is so impressed with his new point guard.

"[Coach] isn't saying anything about Kyrie that we don't know," senior Kyle Singler said.

Irving scored 17 points and added seven assists in No. 1 Duke's first game since winning the 2010 national title. Irving has big shoes to fill in replacing Jon Scheyer but in Saturday's warm-up against the Division II Falcons, he showed an ability to create points for himself and his teammates.

At 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds, he has a physical maturity beyond his age, which in part, is why Krzyzewski has gone out of his way to talk up the McDonald's All-American from New Jersey.

"I think he's just mature - mentally, physically," Krzyzewski said. "He's a special player."

Irving hit a 3-pointer and then lobbed two beautiful alley-oops, one to Mason Plumlee and another to Nolan Smith, as Duke shot out of the gate with leads of 16-0 and 30-1.

The Falcons, last year's CIAA champions, had eight turnovers before hitting their first field goal and trailed 73-25 at the half.

Singler scored 31 points, and Smith finished with 15 points and nine assists for Duke, but their games are firmly established among the best in the ACC and the country. The biggest unknown for Duke is at the point.

Duke is not worried about the unknown.

"He's definitely ready," Smith said. "He's easy to play with and he makes the game fun."

Irving hit 6 of 9 shots, including two buckets in transition after he initiated the contact. At 16:20 in the second, he bounced off St. Aug's forward Chris Johnson and kissed in a layup. He finished the three-point play with a free throw which gave Duke a 90-35 lead.

Six minutes later, he hit a similar shot over Shaun Washum.

"I felt really comfortable out there," Irving said, who finished with only one turnover in 20 minutes. "It was fun to get out there and play. Everyone really played well."

Irving said he appreciates all the compliments from Krzyzewski, especially considering the source.

"We have a great relationship," Irving said. "He's really confident in me and he has high expectations."

After just the first step in a long season, the expectations are justified.