Devils set for final exhibition

Duke opened its exhibition play two weekends ago and as expected cruised to a 128-70 victory over Pfeiffer. Tonight, they hold their final preseason contest before officially tipping off the season on Friday, Nov. 13, UNC-Greensboro.

In Duke’s opening exhibition game, Mike Krzyzewski and his staff had their first opportunity to see freshmen Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Andre Dawkins in game action against someone other than their teammates. Plumlee, who started at forward for Duke, Kelly and Dawkins, who served as reserves, all had solid debuts in their initial non-intrasquad action. Miles Plumlee, Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer were also very productive in their opening battle of the exhibition slate.

The new look Blue Devils - a much bigger squad than in recent years - seemed to mesh very well, and appear to be on track to become a very formidable group going forward.

Now, Krzyzewski and company will have their second opportunity to evaluate the lineup and rotation before getting things underway for real 10 days from now.

In tonight’s exhibition, Duke will play host to the University of Findlay out of Findlay, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Getting to Know the University of Findlay Oilers

Location: Findlay, Ohio
Division: NCAA Division II
Conference: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)
Head Coach: Ron Niekamp (25th season at UF, 550-174 overall record.)
2008-09 Record: 36-0
2009-10 Projected Conference Finish: 1st
Pre-Season National Rank: 4th
Returning Starters: 2

Projected Starting Lineup

G 5-9—Marcus Parker (10.7 pts., 4.1 apg.)
G 6-3—Nathan Hyde (10.4 pts., 2.0 reb.)
F 6-4—Tyler Sparks (6.1 pts, 3.9 reb.)
F 6-4—Greg Avery (6.6 pts., 3.9 reb.)—(Transfer - Western Carolina)
F 6-6—Michael Agunga (1.4 pts., 1.4 reb.)

Top Reserves

G 6-3—Nick Coon (1.6 pts., 0.8 reb.)
F 6-7— Rob Marsden (Redshirted)
C 6-9 —Jason Wehri (0.7 pts., 0.9 reb.)
G 5-11—Justin Schomaeker (0.5 pts., 0.1 reb.)

Odds and Ins

The University of Findlay is ranked fourth nationally in the National Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll.

Findlay was a perfect 36-0 last season, and won the NCAA Division II national title 56-53 over Cal Poly Pomona in overtime.

They participated in one exhibition game last season against Xavier, and lost by just three points, 79-76. Marcus Parker had nine points and eight assists in the game.

Findlay has the highest winning percentage, .838 (238-46) of any Division II program in the nation during this decade.

Findlay lost three starters from last year’s squad, as well as several key reserve performers.

The team features five freshmen, forward Jack Smith, center Chris Baldwin and guards Aaron Robinson, JoVaughn Brown and Keith Zeigler. Several of these newcomers are expected to play key roles for the Oilers this season.

Marcus Parker was selected as the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year by league’s head coaches. He was a first team all-conference pick last season. He averaged 27 minutes per game, and connected on 45 percent of his three point attempts during the 2008-09 season. He was third on the team in steals with 50.

Findlay is picked to win the GLIAC South Division. They have won seven out of the last eight divisional championships and four of the last six tournament titles.

Nathan Hyde was UF’s top three-point shooter last season, as he put 45 percent of his attempts through the hoop. He was 77-of-171 on the year. He also shot 91 percent from the free throw line.

Outlook

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski strategically schedules his opponents for the Blue Devils exhibition slate each year. Two weeks ago, the Duke mentor placed Pfeiffer University on the docket in order to get a look at how his team would respond to a fast paced, up and down style of play.

Tonight, he gets an opportunity to view his squad against a team that displays heart, discipline and an understanding of how to win. Anytime a team gets the chance to battle an opponent that is used to winning there’s always something to be learned.

Findlay should provide Duke with an opportunity to learn more about itself, and how they can respond against a confident, and winning mentality. Last year, Findlay took Xavier to the limit in an exhibition contest, losing just 76-79. The Oilers’ never give up approach that was displayed against the Musketeers last year is exactly what Krzyzewski hopes to see in tonight’s game.

If he gets what he wants, then he will get a good look at how his young players such as Mason and Miles Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Andre Dawkins respond to such drive and determination.

This will be a good exhibition test for these young players, and will serve as another opportunity for the likes of Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith to fine-tune their games before the regular season starts on Nov. 13.

Much like they did against Pfeiffer, Duke will be more worried about its own execution, as well as the competitive spirit their opponent displays, and not so much what Findlay is throwing at them from an Xs and Os standpoint.

Duke should finish the night having learned more about its team and in the process developed an even stronger chemistry within the squad.

In the end, this one will obviously be a blowout.

The score …

DUKE - 119 - FINDLAY - 64