Boilermakers have some beef

Duke will counter with speed, defense

Duke's players have heard this refrain before.

Over the past few years, whenever a Big Ten team with a beefy front line appeared on the schedule, there was a question about whether the Blue Devils would be able to match it.

As No. 4-ranked Duke prepares to visit Purdue at 9 p.m. today in an ACC-Big Ten Challenge game, the question persists. The ninth-ranked Boilermakers (5-1) have dangerous post players -- 6-foot-8 Robbie Hummel and 6-10 JaJuan Johnson -- plus one of the Big Ten's best guards, E'Twaun Moore.

They have helped fourth-year coach Matt Painter resurrect a team that struggled in the final years of Gene Keady's tenure.

"They play a great motion offense, and they have two of the best players in the Big Ten [Moore and Hummel]," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "They have two players that could be the player of the year in the Big Ten. They're just really good, and they play hard."

Many of Duke's Big Ten opponents over the past few seasons also have been strong in the post, but the Blue Devils have simply raced past them.

The Blue Devils have won their past six games against Big Ten opponents. They are 9-0 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and 20-3 against Big Ten teams since 1998.

Wisconsin won the Big Ten last season under the leadership of bruising Brian Butch but was embarrassed in an 82-58 loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Michigan's disciplined style under coach John Beilein was good enough to upset then-No.4 ranked UCLA on Nov. 20 but couldn't rattle the Blue Devils the next day in the 2K College Hoops Classic.

Duke won 71-56 and visits Michigan for a second meeting Saturday.

"It's a great week for us, to go to two established programs on their home courts," Krzyzewski said. "Purdue is, I think, the best team in the Big Ten, and probably one of the five or six top teams in the country. ... Michigan will be the same. Michigan will be a first- division team in the Big Ten."

Although Krzyzewski rejects the idea that any conference has a particular style, the Big Ten is known for its physical big men and grinding play. If the Blue Devils don't have the muscle to match, they will try to counter with speed and skill.

Forward Kyle Singler leads Duke with 10 3-pointers, and athletic backup center Lance Thomas scored a career-high 21 points Friday in a defeat of Duquesne.

"He and Kyle, you put them with any point guard in the country and I'm sure they can run with them," Duke point guard Nolan Smith said. "Both of them can run, and they can run with the guards all day. They're both athletic and can give other big men problems running the floor."