By the time he announced, everyone who cared already knew that Kyrie Irving was headed to Duke, which is probably too bad.  News is news, and there’s definitely a market for this kind of news, but it is too bad that he didn’t get the chance to have his moment.  That’s pretty much the world we live in now, unfortunately, where the drive for recruiting news trumps a 17-year-old kid’s chance to have a day in the spotlight.  But now that it’s official, what of it?

Well, it’s a big deal.  Irving has gotten rave reviews from analysts across the board.  This gives Duke not just a fine point guard, but another component in what may be one of Duke’s best backcourts in years.  Between Irving, Andre Dawkins, Seth Curry, Nolan Smith, and Tyler Thornton, who will come in with Irving, Duke has depth, athleticism, and offensive and defensive power.  It’s a remarkable group. 

Add to that an also imposing frontcourt collection with Miles and Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly, and Josh Hairston, and it gets even more impressive (No, we didn’t forget the other guy.  More in a minute).

But it could be even better.  Irving and fellow senior and elite recruit Harrison Barnes each say the other is like a brother.  Barnes is visiting this weekend. He hasn’t made a decision, but Duke is clearly in it with him, and having Irving on board can only help.

What about the other guy then?  What about Kyle Singler?  Well obviously he’ll have a decision to make at the end of the season about whether to go to the NBA or not.  It’s certainly not clear yet that Barnes is going to choose Duke, but for argument’s sake say he does.  Duke will have an amazingly deep and flexible team, and Singler would be in a position to play purely to his strengths, not to mention being heavily favored to be in the Final Four and to contend for a title.  He has to make his own decision, but he would have a chance to go out with a ring and a senior season where he gets to demonstrate not just his immense versatility but just how very good he is.  Basketball people generally know already, but he could put an exclamation point on it all and move up considerably.

We should also reiterate here, as we’ve said before, that Duke and UNC’s programs seem to reflect each other and what happens at one tends to happen at the other.  So if Singler emulates Tyler Hansbrough and stays for four years, that would fit the pattern.

Those possibilities are just what-ifs, as tantalizing as they are and as close as they might seem.  Whatever happens with those two guys, Duke has put together a backcourt and a frontcourt that’s primed to do a lot of damage.  The next few years are going to be a lot of fun.

Incidentally, we would say that when one revisits the argument about whether the Olympics helps or hurts recruiting, the evidence is now leaning strongly in Krzyzewski’s favor. 

• Duke Lands Top 2010 PG Kyrie Irving
• St. Patrick star Kyrie Irving gives verbal to Duke
• Kyrie Irving picks Duke
• Duke lands another superstar
• No. 5 overall recruit commits to Duke
• Irving commits to Duke
• Coveted guard Irving commits to Duke

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