Well, Duke is back on TV. This is the first of 28 nationally-televised Duke games this season. With that comes a transition. I have retired my VCR. For over 10 years, Blue Devil has captured the beauty of Duke Basketball for me into a nice and compact block memory that he can play for me in the summer to experience the sights and sounds of Blue Devil hoops all year round. But he died over the summer. Tonight, I will make the jump to DVD game tape recording. (Pretty risky, I know. But I like living in fear, on the edge.) Yes, I know about DVR, and use it. But I also like the original hard copy! I'm sick!

When Coastal Carolina takes the court tonight against eighth-ranked Duke in historic Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Blue Devils will be hunting for their 70th consecutive non-conference victory inside the building named for Eddie Cameron, a founding father of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Duke hasn't lost to a non-ACC foe at home since it lost to the Erick Barkley-led St. John's on Feb. 26, 2000.

The Blue Devils enter the contest at 1-0 on the season, knocking off UNC Greensboro, 96-52 in its season opener. Chaucer's Chanticleers enter the game after downing Southern Conference favorite and perennial NCAA scare Charleston, 70-59, last week, and come into Cameron hot and primed to shock the nation.

It won't happen, but it's a nice thought.

Duke is once again without Nolan Smith and, of course, the injured Mason Plumlee, who went down last week with a broken wrist. Expect to see a similar starting lineup to Duke's season opener, in which Coach Krzyzewski went with Scheyer-Singler-Czyz-Thomas-Miles Plumlee, as Coastal runs big across the front line. The Chanticleers have three guys over 6'7" who play significant minutes and another who's 7-foot. This will be a good challenge for Duke's inside game without Mason in the lineup. His brother, Miles, led Duke's bigs with a career-high 10 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks in Duke's first game.

Game is on ESPNU at 7:02 EST.

Terrible Jimmy Dykes is providing color for the game, which exponentially takes away from my TV experience. So, Bob Harris will serenade me as the Blue Devils coast to their second win of the season. Duke by 20.

Well looks like you guys are gonna be 1-1 after tonight.

Jimmy Dykes is much better than a lot of what ESPN puts out for college basketball. Mike Patrick is just awful covering basketball. He is pretty good with his football, but is just obnoxious doing basketball. That goes for quite a few of ESPN personalities.

The dukies get a break!!!

CONWAY, SC - A trio of Coastal Carolina basketball players has been suspended for violating team rules.

Chanticleer Head Coach Cliff Ellis announced the team has suspended Danny Nieman, Chad Gray and Marcus Macellari. The three will miss the Nov. 16 game against Duke in the first leg of the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off.

All three players will return for the NIT East Region consolation/championship game against either Elon or Charlotte Nov. 17 in Durham, N.C.

Yes, I'd say we got a break. At the same time, it would have been nice to have the Chanticleers at full strength, as they are a great (early, early) NCAA tune up type game for the dangerous mid majors that are always present.

[Insert ... "you need it!!!" joke concerning Duke's loss to VCU in '07]

Less than 25 minutes till tip. So excited to finally see our boys on the big screen.

Laley, I used to like Dykes but, after listening to him call so many Kentucky games, and his constant referral to his coaching days in the Blue Grass, I find him overly obnoxious now. But there are certainly worse announcers.

I used to LOVE Mike Patrick. He was my favorite on ESPN up until the past couple of years when he has become so incoherent I'm not so sure he knows what sports he's calling. Or who he is. As for the old Mike Patrick, even though he's always been somewhat "error prone," his voice was always great.

My favorite call from Patrick: "He's the best shooter I ever saw"

-After JJ Redick drilled his eighth three in the 2006 ACC Championship game, leading Duke to the title in the waning moments over Boston College. Chilling moment.

Duke defense has been pretty stout so far. Coastal is shooting a shade over 20% from the field.

Dawkins has shot quite a bunch tonight, off a little bit but he has 13 points. Looks like he may be the defense stretcher this year. Pretty good form.

Czyz looks pretty worthless tonight, too many turnovers, not really doing anything out there. Singler looked great as usual, we'll see how they do tomorrow with Nolan back in the lineup.

I agree. Andre has showed no fear in hoisting up the three ball. I like it. Once he finds his groove, this kid is going to be a dangerous scoring threat. Reminds be a lot of a small Will Avery with his on court demeanor and absolute disregard for having a conscience. I can't wait to see him "on."

Singler is Singler, a NPOTY candidate no doubt. He has really turned into one hell of a ball player over the past couple of seasons.

Duke is best when playing the motion offense, IMO. I love what I am seeing so far.

When Mason gets back, Duke's inside game could be something to reckon with.

reclegend22 wrote: Singler is Singler, a NPOTY candidate no doubt. He has really turned into one hell of a ball player over the past couple of seasons.

I said it last year, as much as it kills me to say it, he might get the award with better than solid year. One of the best all around players in the country.

Singler is like Redick for me. I cannot stand him (mainly because he's so good), but I really respect his game.

I think he's definitely one of the favorites for NPOTY. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he wins it. Maybe if he does, he'll get the heck out of Durham.

Singler is a guy I'd like to punch in the face, though he hasn't quite reached the level of hatred I have for Jon Sheyer because of his goofy face.

I mean this all in the best way possible as well, so no hard feelings

Haha sure.

I've read that one of Coach K's goals heading into the season was to make Kyle into an NBA player this year. If Kyle's anywhere near a first team All-American at the end of the season, I think he's likely gone. And that seem very, very likely.

I am glad, however, that we continue to produce such hatred With all the doomsday talk about the Duke program, I guess we're still somewhat relevant, huh?

After seeing the slate this team has to work with, and taking into consideration some of the kids Duke has on the way, I think our rivalry is going to be heating back up very soon, which is exciting.

You're only relevant to me because I'm a UNC fan. If not for that, Duke may not even be on my radar.

I don't even think it's Duke that I hate the most, but instead the players personalities that don the Duke jersey.

Something about flopping and flailing the arms doesn't sit well with me.

Again, I mean that in the nicest way possible!

SHOOT!

Have you seen this board over the years (ahdonis aynone)?

Clearly, we're on the radar. But I like the heat we get. It makes the season much more fun.

Like the players sometimes do (the Laettners, the Collins's, the Brands, the Redicks, the Duhons, the Singlers, and soon to be Ma. Plumlees and Dre Dawkins's), I also don my Duke gear with a sense of arrogance. After all, we are Duke.

As for the flopping, ironic you would bring that up after one of the league's all-time greatest flops just graduated from the baby blue school down the road less than eight months ago. Hansbrough made an art of that -- and traveling. Let's be honest, he was like a wide-eyed bass out there.

I say we take you out twice this year, though, so I'm content.

Hansbrough also won a National Title and is doing pretty well for himself in the NBA, so his college antics are excused.

He's averaging 10.3 points and 4.7 boards in only 14 minutes with the Pacers

As for your "We are Duke" comment... Meh, we're UNC and pretty much own Duke. It's ho-hum to me

Singler is definitely gone after this season. Which is why they were so high on Harrison Barnes. Would have been a great player on the wing.

Next year Curry will step out, with Irving, Nolan Smith, and the Plumlees.

Should be a good year for Duke. Some real quality basketball players.

Its been almost 10 years since Duke has won a title? Wow

Was at the game tonight. Duke was the real deal tonight. They play great defense, rebound the ball well, and Nolan Smith and Scheyer were real good.

When Mason comes back, this team has the chance to be a great one.

Duke always looks like the real deal November through early March...

However, as soon as March Madness hits, the lack of toughness and great depth rears it's ugly head...

This year's going to be different I have a feeling. You can tell it by looking at this team's demeanor. Inside play is going to be much more of a factor, alleviating the issues the Blue Devils have had in recent years in terms deteriorating guard play due to tiredness/lack of shooting in March. And that will only get better when Mason Plumlee returns.

Duke has one of the best, perhaps the best, perimeter game in the country. Scheyer, Smith (who has turned into an all-out stud), Singler (who is a nightmare on the wing at 6-8, and a likely NPOTY finalist), and soon-to-explode Andre Dawkins off the bench. He's going to be a great one. Just give him some time to adjust; he's so young. Scheyer's basketball antennae is matched by no one in college basketball, IMO. That's a strong statement, sure, but if you've ever watched the kid play, he's smart as hell out there.

I don't care if it is Coastal and Charlotte, Miles Plumlee is showing that he's going be a force to reckon with, and Lance Thomas is stepping up as his usual solid self. He can't do anything great offensively, but he can do a lot of things well. And his defensive skills are among the best in the ACC, if not the nation. He's a gamer. Brian Zoubek is still Brian Zoubek, but once Mason is added to the mix, Duke's inside game is going to be light years improved from where it has been in recent seasons.

Exciting year unraveling in Durham.

LT (Lance Thomas),

If Jay Bilas is calling Duke the best team in the ACC -- by far -- then you can probably take that to the bank. He wouldn't shine a light on Duke (especially if Carolina had a better team) if hypothetical Duke fan Jeff Dahmer was circling him with a fork and napkin. That's his shtick: pretend he doesn't know who Duke is, so his announcing his deemed "great." BS.

Anyhow, I'm sorry, Carolina fans, Duke is the real deal this year

I'm not saying the Blue Devils will win the national title, and not saying they'll rowdy the season (remain undefeated all year), but they'll be damn good.

Duke is and should be the best team in the ACC. They usually are in November, anyway. That may change by season's end, but I think the Heels are in for more of an '06 type year, especially if Roy keeps trying to play 12 guys.

Duke fans should probably hold off the "this year will be different" statement we've heard for a couple of seasons now until midway through ACC play. That's when we'll know if K really is going to play more guys in the heat of battle and use his big guys offensively.

Good to see you over here. Was wondering where you had gone.

reclegend22 wrote: Good to see you over here. Was wondering where you had gone.

Just read about this site today. I missed the rubbing in on the Harrison Barnes signing Good to see the reasonable Huddlers are here, especially for the College BB season.

It isn't Duke's lack of toughness that gets them in March, it is every other team catching up.

In November December January Duke racks up lots of wins because they are smarter better basketball players than their opponents. Come Mid-January, February, March the teams who had players with more athletic ability but weren't as smart are finally smart enough in a basketball sense to win ball games.

Duke becomes a victim of its own lack of talent, not its toughness. Duke could not match up with Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham last year, they weren't athletic enough to beat Joe Alexander, DeSean Butler and WVU in 2008, and in 2007 VCU with Eric Maynor and company were more athletic than they were.

This year may be no different, but I guarantee next year, if they bow out early in March it won't be because they are not athletic enough.