Duke handles UNC-G in season opener

DURHAM - There was plenty of talk Friday about what Duke doesn't have and who the Blue Devils aren't getting.

But in a 96-62, season-opening defeat of UNC Greensboro on Friday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the ninth-ranked Blue Devils demonstrated that they have a lot of good qualities.

For starters there's junior forward Kyle Singler, who is the only preseason All-American from the ACC according to The Associated Press. He scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half, gamely mixing post moves, mid-range jumpers and 3-point shots in a versatile performance.

Then there's Jon Scheyer. The senior who was the only true guard in Duke's starting lineup didn't commit a turnover and scored 18 points.

"I thought Jon and I did a good job making sure guys weren't out of control," Singler said. ". . .I thought we were calm, collected and confident, and we handled pressure pretty well."

Veteran leaders Scheyer and Singler helped Duke grab a 48-27 halftime lead and sail through the second half against a significantly overmatched opponent. UNC Greensboro returned 74 percent of last season's scoring, but was picked to finish fifth in the Southern Conference's North Division in balloting by the conference's coaches.

The Spartans were outrebounded 44-26 by the taller, more physical Blue Devils.

Even though Duke's talent clearly was superior, a glance at the bench revealed that the Blue Devils were short-handed. Nolan Smith, the junior starting guard who's serving a two-game NCAA suspension for playing in unsanctioned summer league games, sat with his chin resting on his left palm.

Next to Smith, freshman center Mason Plumlee held his right hand carefully over his heavily wrapped left wrist. Plumlee, who was considered a likely starter, suffered a broken wrist Wednesday during practice, but did not need surgery.

"We hope that (he's out) weeks and not months," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

The Blue Devils also were missing walk-on guard Jordan Davidson, who was out of town for his grandmother's funeral.

Perhaps the most damaging personnel loss for Duke on Friday, though, came when forward Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, signed with rival North Carolina over the Blue Devils and four other schools.

On Oct. 24, Duke's students had chanted at Barnes while he made his official visit during an exhibition game against Pfeiffer, imploring him to come to Duke. On Friday evening, though, there was nary a mention of Barnes at Cameron after his afternoon pledge to the Blue Devils' rival.

Instead, Duke's fans celebrated what they've got, earning compliments from Krzyzewski for their energy. They erupted when freshmen Andre Dawkins and Ryan Kelly sank 3-pointers from opposite corners in the second half and prompted Spartans coach Mike Dement to call timeout.

Dawkins, who scored eight points, showed that he's probably ready for a supporting role as one of three scholarship guards on the roster (the others are Scheyer and Smith). Kelly, who's from Raleigh's Ravenscroft School, also scored eight points.

"Andre and Ryan gave us a lift," Krzyzewski said.

If they can continue to provide that kind of support, Friday's news about Barnes might become a bit easier to stomach at Cameron.

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