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"Some people really had a hard time with the fact Gail chose to leave, and they want to hurt somebody," she said. "There is an old saying, 'Hurt people hurt.' And that's the truth. ... I'm sorry. I wasn't here, I wasn't any part of it."

McCallie said the most enjoyable part of this transition has been getting to know her team. She has heard the rumblings about dissatisfaction among the group but said when it's players and coaches, "it's been fantastic."

"The beauty of it is that the only people in real time with this program is us," she said. "You'd have to come to every practice. You'd have to be with us. You'd have to be on the bus."

New system

Duke is 21-8 overall and 10-4 in conference play as it enters this week's ACC Tournament with a No. 3 seed.

Ranked 12th in the country, the Blue Devils have faced every team ranked in The Associated Press poll's top 5, with a 1-5 record against those teams.

McCallie has installed a new offensive system that calls for players to work the basketball inside out, a switch from more guard-dominated teams of the past. Defensively, the Devils have mostly played man-to-man but have periodically used a match-up zone, a system the head coach is recognized for nationally.

Duke senior Wanisha Smith last week noted the team's gradual adjustment.

"It started coming along probably toward the middle of our season, really just buying into everything," she said.

Sophomore Joy Cheek said there is still a learning curve, but players know "Coach P" better, understanding that she is intense, works off motivation and is "real big on the team concept."

Throughout the season McCallie has said past success means nothing for this team.

"The key is knowing who you are. Who are we? And how can we create something special with this group?" she said.

And who are they?

"We are a very hard-working, blue-collar tough team," she said.

"We have a small margin of error in games. We don't have a dominant player. ... We're not the smartest team yet; we have made some decisions that have hurt us."

Feeling-out process

A college basketball team requires more than an on-court identity. Coaches and players must establish trust and build kinship.

McCallie is aware of this. "People say, 'Well, you've got to get to know them.' You can't fake that," she said. "It just happens. And it happens naturally through time."

McCallie has met with players one on one and in groups. She has met families. She has sent players encouraging text messages.

While there is still a feeling-out process, players and coaches have had light moments together. Sophomore Bridgette Mitchell and junior Carrem Gay shared on-air laughs with McCallie during her radio show earlier this season. And there was McCallie's recent chest bump with freshman Krystal Thomas in practice.

McCallie listened when players wanted to wear black uniforms against UNC last week. And recently, after waiting to see who emerged as leaders, McCallie named Smith and juniors Abby Waner and Chante Black team captains.

Still, McCallie said she doesn't make friends with players until they graduate. She said being fair is most important, and that's why she's alternated her lineup.

"I've never tried to win them over, I don't think I can," McCallie said. "Just be me. I've got to be me."

Plain speaking

Former Michigan State assistant coach Felisha Legette-Jack, now head coach at Indiana, said McCallie takes a no-nonsense approach, where discipline and performance are non-negotiable.

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