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Concordia wasn't expected to put up much resistance, and they didn't, falling
123-66.
J.J. Redick and Lee Melchionni scored 21 each, and Shelden Williams had 18
points, 11 boards, and four blocks - in the first half.
As you'd expect in a game like this, Duke won every part of it. They
outrebounded Concordia 59-29 and forced 30 turnovers.
In a very encouraging sign, DeMarcus Nelson shot 7-11. Rookie Josh
McRoberts was 5-8.
Fellow rookies Greg Paulus and Martynas Pocius didn't have great games -
Paulus did have four assists but shot only 1-5. Pocius was 2-5 and fouled
out.
Jamal Boykins is going to be a crowd favorite in short order if he keeps
throwing his body around. He is the most reckless player at Duke since at
least Wojo and perhaps back as far as Kenny Dennard, who had a similar casual
regard for his well-being.
Eric Boateng shot 1-4 but grabbed six boards.
In addition to his scoring, Redick also had seven assists.
After the game, Coach K said his team needed to work on "some of the
nuances of the game," and that on a few occasions, instead of kicking out
for a three, guys went up and got stripped.
There are some strengths this team should have, which are fairly obvious, but
other things, like having a guy like Boykin coming off the bench and being so
emotional, that's hard to factor.
And it's going to be interesting to see the passing develop. It's wonderful
to see Redick get seven assists. He probably did that last year, but this
year, his passing skills, probably an underappreciated part of his game, will
look better with better recipients.
Next up is NCCU next weekend, a crosstown game which is good to see.
Duke and Central are in the same town, but a lot of times, you'd never know
it. Building ties between the two is a very positive thing, and if
basketball can be a part of that, so much the better.