Kyrie Irving the Latest 1-and-Done College Athlete

Kyrie Irving finished his stellar freshman season averaging 17.5 ppg and 4.3 apg

Freshman point guard Kyrie Irving has decided to forego his sophomore season at Duke University and enter his name in the 2011 NBA Draft.

When it rains, it pours.

As a huge sports fan, these last three-plus weeks have been like some sort of Stephen King/M. Night Shyamalan-style April Fools prank; I’m not laughing.

My beloved Red Sox are now 1-7 to start the season, the 76ers fell from 6th to 7th in the Eastern Conference standings, and now my favorite college basketball team is losing its best player.

But that’s enough about me; why should I be so selfish. Irving leaving Duke isn’t about making me want to rip what small semblance of hair I have out of my head. Duke is losing its leader for next season.

Of Duke's four key players, only Seth Curry (on left) will be back next season

Losing your starting PG is never easy, neither is losing an All-American caliber talent; however, when coupled with the loss of Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler – both of whom graduate this spring – Duke is losing its chance to repeat as ACC Tournament Champs.

When looking at the scenario from the perspective of a young athlete such as Irving, there are multiple factors to consider.

First: what does he gain by staying? You could say his education, but most athletes who leave school early have the option to continue their studies in the offseason or after their careers are over

Second: what risk does he run by staying the extra year? This is where most people think about injuries coming into play – as they did for most of his freshman year (injured toe).

Last: “How much money am I missing out on if I stay another year?” This is the most common dilemma facing Division-1 athletes, and it will stay that way until the NCAA stops pimping their athletes and starts paying them.

Fan affiliation aside, Irving is making the right decision. The freshman sensation is expected to go as high as no. 2 in the upcoming draft. For you mathematicians, that leaves only one slot for improvement.

That being said, Irving probably risks more by staying in college rather than entering the draft.

The New Jersey native has a chance to be the first great Duke guard to make a name for himself at the next level. If the 2011 NCAA Tournament was any indication of what is to come, he’ll do just that.

 

Irving Could Be Lost for the Season

Irving could be out all season with ligament damage in his right foot

When things are going right, as they are for this year’s Duke Blue Devils, even bad news can come at a good time.

Duke will be playing the next few games without the help of their sensational freshman point guard, Kyrie Irving. Irving injured his foot in the second half of the Butler game in East Rutherford, NJ.

Irving is averaging 17.4 points and 5.1 assists per game

At first, the injury was described as a “sprained toe”; it is now appearing to be much more serious, perhaps season ending. The injury is now known to be ligament damage in the star freshman’s toe and it could require season ending surgery to fix.

This news comes at a fortunate time for the Blue Devils because they’ve already played most of their toughest out of conference games. The ACC is in a down year, especially at North Carolina, and Duke, even without Irving, is still the favorite to win it all.

This isn’t the end for Duke’s season. They’re a veteran team under the best head coach in college basketball, Mike Krzyzewski. And you can’t forget about their senior leaders, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler – arguably the best player in the country. Singler hasn’t scored as much this season, but that could be, in part, due to the emergance of Irving. With him on the sidelines, Singler and Smith will have to step up their play, much like they did in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

Make no mistake of it, this Duke team will be much worse off without Irving; however, losing him now, in a less challenging part of the season will allow them to find a new identity without Irving. Without Irving, Duke will be much more burdened offensively and a lot more deliberate. Defensively, it’s unlikely that they will be able to continue

With Irving out indefinitely, Dawkins and Smith will shoulder the load at guard

playing the tight pressure, man defense that has made the Blue Devils one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation.

Irving leads the team in scoring (17.4 ppg) and is second in assists (5.1 apg); however, his ability to create high percentage shots off the dribble as well as playing suffocating on-ball defense will be sorely missed. If he does end up missing the rest of the season, he will likely return for his sophomore year instead of declaring for the draft. This could be even more good news for a Duke team that boasts one of the top recruiting classes for next season – which includes the nation’s top player, shooting guard Austin Rivers.

Smith will likely run point in Irving’s absence and sophomore Andre Dawkins will be put into the starting lineup at shooting guard. Dawkins is one of the best shooters in the country (54% 3pt FG) and is a proven scorer. Against Bradley, Dawkins led Duke with 28 points and made eight 3-pointers.

Duke beat Bradley 83-48 on December 8^th, in their first game without Irving. Duke’s next game is Saturday against St. Louis.

Duke is the Real Deal

For Duke, being number one is just another day in the life of a Blue Devil. You are constantly questioned by the media, other schools are always giving you their best shot, and your every win is picked apart with a fine-toothed comb.

During the NCAA Tournament last year, bracketologists, fans and NCAA analysts all questioned the quality of Duke’s team. Their toughness, defense and athletic ability were all brought to question during a tournament in which they, for the most part, dominated.

So why has this year’s team not come under such scrutiny? It’s simple: they are, hands-down, the best team in college basketball.

It starts with their point guard, Kyrie Irving. He’s averaging 17+ points and 5+ assists per game and is shooting lights out from everywhere on the court. The addition of Irving to the Duke starting lineup is a big upgrade from Jon Scheyer – last year’s PG. He’s a better playmaker and much more adept at making those around him better.

His primary beneficiary is Mason Plumlee. I have already lost count of how many half court lobs have gone for highlight reel alley-oops and we’re only eight games into the season. Plumlee took the starting job from his older brother, Miles, because he gives the Blue Devils a better offensive weapon in the low post.

The Blue Devils are averaging almost 90 points per game, while shooting 50% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. They just don’t have many weaknesses, and they’re able to intimidate opposing teams with their ability.

And let’s not forget the most important factor of all: they’re coached by Mike Krzyzewski – arguably the best coach in all of college basketball. Coach K has one of the most athletic, young teams in the NCAA, as well as a great leader in Kyle Singler. It was just a matter of time before Coach K made his way back atop the college basketball world.