Featherston: Duke?s Success Built On Foundation Of Defense

DURHAM, N.C. ? For more than a quarter century, defense has been the foundation of Mike Krzyzewski's program at Duke ? unrelenting pressure man-to-man defense.

There are indications that even in that context of sustained excellence, Duke is playing better defense this season than it has in a long time.

“I think we've maintained a level of defense that only experience and health can give you,” Krzyzewski said recently. “We're older and a bit deeper. To have Brian [Zoubek] each game has been a factor. When you bring Lance [Thomas] and David McClure off the bench, they're very sound defensively and help us maintain a good level of defense.”

Defense is difficult to measure statistically.

The most commonly used reference point by half-educated fans and commentators is “points allowed.” However, that number is a better indicator of tempo than defensive prowess. The old Pete Carril Princeton teams used to lead the NCAA in least points allowed year after year ? not because they were great defenders, but because they played very slow.

Blocked shots and steals can provide some information. Field goal percentage defense is a good indicator as are turnovers forced. However, such stats have to be put in context. Some coaches prefer to defend the basket, putting a premium on blocked shots and field goal percentage defense. Other coaches prefer to put pressure on the perimeter, which emphasizes steals and turnovers.

Krzyzewski has always been in the latter camp. Over the years, his teams pressure the ball and the passing lanes. Statistically, that results in high turnover rates and mediocre field goal percentage defense. One benefit of playing strong on the perimeter is Duke's consistently strong defense against the three-point shot.

So, how do we measure this year's excellence?

Ken Pomeroy has been tracking defensive efficiency since 2006 by a formula that measures a team's defensive performance against a national average offensive opponent, playing an average offensive tempo.

He currently ranks Duke as the most efficient defensive team in the country, ahead of No. 2 Louisville, No. 3 Memphis, No. 4 West Virginia and No. 5 Wake Forest.

Duke is allowing opponents to shoot just 38.7 percent from the field. That's the lowest number in the Krzyzewski era. The '09 Devils are averaging more steals (9.5 a game) than any Duke team since 2002.

The Blue Devils flexed their defensive muscles in the ACC opener against Virginia Tech, limiting the Hokies to 13 second-half points. And in their second ACC outing, Duke allowed Florida State (statistically, the ACC's second best defensive team) to just 14 first-half points in Tallahassee ? and just 22 in the game's first 28 minutes.

“They are there on the catch and they give you few gaps to drive,” FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. “If you don't move the ball with some type of rhythm ? if you don't move the ball inside and finish inside ? you give them a lot of opportunities.”

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg suggested that Duke's ability to switch on defense is what makes the Devils so tough.

“I think their switching really creates havoc,” he said. “They're switching one through four. Their switching keeps you out of your offense. It's hard to get into a flow, getting into your offense because they're so effective switching and not letting the screener get back to the ball.”

Duke's ability to switch effectively is based on Krzyzewski's ability to recruit versatile athletes. Every player on the floor ? with the exception of Zoubek ? is willing to switch and guard any opponent.

That philosophy was put to the test when Duke faced Davidson and used its switching defense to contain Stephen Curry. Every time the All-American guard ran his defender into a screen, he suddenly found himself confronted by the likes of 6-9 Kyle Singer or 6-8 Lance Thomas. In all, eight different Blue Devils found themselves guarding the Davidson superstar.

“It's a special team that can be able to do that, to throw different guys at you and not miss a beat,” Curry said after the game. “I've seen a lot of defenses and a lot of different personnel throughout games, but they did a great job tonight.”

Curry ended up scoring right at his season average of 29 points, but he hit just one of eight shots from the three-point line and never exploded as he did against Oklahoma or N.C. State as Duke cruised to a 79-67 victory. Afterwards, Davidson coach Bob McKillop sung the praises of Duke's defense.

“They put you on your heels,” he said. “I've been doing this for 20 years against Duke. They expose you, they undress you, and unless you stay in the center ring and fight from the center of the ring instead of back pedaling and getting caught on the ropes you're never going to be successful against Duke. What they do is they do it for 40 minutes and that's what makes the program they are, the team they are.”

Greenberg suggested another reason for Duke's defensive success this season.

“I think they're guarding the ball much better than they have,” he said.

All of Coach K's best defensive teams were triggered by great on-the-ball defenders ? from Tommy Amaker to Bobby Hurley to Steve Wojciechowski to Chris Duhon.

First-year starter Nolan Smith isn't at that level yet, but he has that potential. And he's not Krzyzewski's only option.

“One of the areas [Smith] can really help us is pressuring the ball,” Krzyzewski said. “I thought in the second half against Florida State, he did a really good job on Douglas. His ball pressure helps us out. You can put Jon [Scheyer] out there and Jon uses his length to help us on the ball. I really believe Elliot Williams is starting to grasp the defense. He can help us on the ball.”

Krzyzewski also cited the presence of Zoubek as another building block to Duke's defense.

“He's a seven footer,” Coach K said. “He can block some shots. He gets his hands on a lot of balls. And he takes some space ... he plays with good emotion. We missed him last year.”

It's interesting to note that Zoubek is averaging one blocked shot every 13.6 minutes this season. That's not in a class with Duke's career blocked shots leader Shelden Williams (one every 9.2 minutes), but it's close to No. 2 man Mike Gminski (one block every 11.9 minutes) and better than the blocked shot rates of No. 3 Shane Battier (one every 14.1 minutes), No. 4 Cherokee Parks (one block every 15.1 minutes) and No. 5 Christian Laettner (one block every 17.6 minutes).

“I think Zoubek gives them a guy who can protect the front of the rim and take up space,” Greenberg said.

Of course, the season has not yet reached the halfway point and Duke will have to sustain its defensive intensity through the grueling ACC season. Two years ago, the Blue Devils were a highly ranked defensive team through the midway point in the season before collapsing on the defensive end late.

That late-season slump was clearly the result of injuries and an inexperienced team. That shouldn't be the case this season. Duke is older, deeper and bigger. The starting lineup is loaded with stoppers, while, as Krzyzewski noted, his bench includes defensive specialists Lance Thomas and David McClure off the bench up front, while freshman guard Elliot Williams is approaching that status in the backcourt.

If the Blue Devils hope to challenge for ACC and national honors this season, defense has to be Duke's primary weapon. Krzyzewski's team has some fine offensive weapons, but so do league challengers such as UNC and Wake Forest. If the Devils hope to separate themselves, it will have to be at the defensive end.