Observations

How depleted is Duke's roster without Mason Plumlee (injured) and Nolan Smith (suspended two games)?

Depleted enough to put sophomore Olek Czyz, a forgotten player at the end of the bench last season, into the starting lineup on the wing.

Despite his limited role last season (51 minutes in 13 games), Czyz had some bright moments against UNC Greensboro. His steal and breakaway for a one-handed dunk was one of the highlights of the first half.

He has enough athletic ability to help Duke in a defensive role, but his skills on offense are limited.

On the way into Cameron Indoor Stadium, a man and an elementary school-aged girl stopped to look at the football field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

The lights were on, and the man explained that on Saturday, Duke was going to be playing a game against Georgia Tech. It was cause for reflection.

How many times in mid-November have Duke fans on the way to a basketball game looked at the football field without even knowing who the next opponent would be? It's easy to see that football coach David Cutcliffe is accomplishing things at Duke.

Forward Kyle Singler apparently has added a couple feet to his shooting range.

In his first two seasons at Duke, Singler regularly shot 3-pointers but rarely attempted one from far beyond the arc. But in each of the Blue Devils' first two exhibitions, Singler made a shot from 23 or 24 feet.

He let it fly from that distance a few times Friday as well.

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