Watching Jay Williams address the completely enrapt New Hampton Prep basketball team late Sunday night at the Hoophall Classic, it was clear he was firmly in his element. Basketball has obviously always been a big part of Williams’ life, but you could make a case he’s never been quite as immersed as he is now.

As an ESPN college basketball analyst, Williams splits his time between calling games and working on studio shows, while also commentating for the network’s rapidly expanding interest in high school ball. The latter assignment gives him the opportunity to take part in one of his favorite pastimes: mentoring young athletes. There isn’t a player on any level that doesn’t have the utmost respect for the former No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, and he commonly takes time to pull players aside and offer a few words of wisdom. Read More »

On a night where history was in the air, fans from the South, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions flocked to the World’s Most Famous Arena to see four of the top teams in college basketball. As impressive as coach Mike Krzyzewski’s record breaking 903rd victory was, the night might have been overshadowed by the sheer dominance of the Kentucky Wildcats. I left Madison Square Garden last night dreaming about the potential of a Duke vs. Kentucky match-up. Read More »

Coach K is a pretty cool dude. Always smooth. Always chill. But at about the 12.9 second mark of the second half last night – after he had seen Michigan State chip into Duke’s lead and Mason Plumlee get called for a five-second violation – he had to be feeling that sweat on his brow just a little bit. But after a Spartan miss, the biggest drama of the night was over, the Dukies had won 74-69 and Mike Krzyzewski had the record. He’s now the winningest coach in Division I men’s basketball history with 903 wins, passing one of the men calling the game, Bob Knight. Seriously though, this joint couldn’t have been scripted any better: in MSG, against another great coach in Tom Izzo, playing against a gritty and tough team, and with his mentor looking on, Coach K got what he came for. Read More »

Hidden between the lines of the most depressing sports stories of the week – Penn State’s cover-up scandal putting a dark cloud over college football, and the NBA lockout threatening to put pro basketball on indefinite hiatus – are two words that should cheer up anybody who frequents this site: “college” and “basketball.” Read More »

*College basketball is here (unlike the NBA), and this year might be one of the best in recent memory. The powerhouse is back, while the Cinderellas believe. That’s a deadly combination. We know some of y’all have been asking for some previews. We have you covered – the top 16 teams in the nation will be previewed individually in the next few weeks. After we broke down Louisville earlier today, we’ll keep this going with the team everyone loves to hate, No. 6-ranked Duke (ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll).* Read More »

We already showed you the dunk contest from Duke’s “Countdown to Craziness,” but just like last year and the year before, the guys at Duke got a little help from the school’s improv department to take college hoops to a whole new level. Three words: Bobblehead is back. Also, check out their other spot, “Come Watch Us, We’re Watching You,” after the jump.

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Chances are you’ve never heard of Jaqawn Raymond. But I guarantee that’ll change. The incoming NC State freshman from Statesboro, Ga. looks like he’s going to be a steal for the Wolfpack this season. Need some confirmation? Just ask Duke’s Andre Dawkins. Other than the block, the best part of this clip from the Greater NC Pro-Am is Rasheed Wallace – who’s on Raymond’s opposing team – coming over to the young fella to show him some love.

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Maybe it’s just me, but I could watch Austin Rivers play basketball all day. So now that he’s in Durham for the summer, he’s been joining his new Duke teammates at the Greater NC Pro-Am… and putting on a show. Check out some highlights of Rivers, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins from last night that include cameos from former Blue Devils Kyrie Irving and Jay Williams at the end.

Coach K‘s four national championship teams at Duke University have been defined by threes. Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill ran the show in the ’90s; Shane Battier, Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy Jr. won it in ’01; and in 2010 it was Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith.

With Scheyer gone to graduation and a few younger players taking aim at that vacant spot in the Big Three, this season’s leadership responsibilities for the Blue Devils (11-0) have fallen on seniors Smith (17.1 ppg, 5.4 apg) and Singler (17.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) to lead a talented group aiming for a repeat. Going into tonight’s game against UNC-Greensboro (7 p.m., ESPNU), Smith talks about how experience wins championships: Read More »

With the Midnight Madness exciting fans, players and recruits across the nation, it’s time to preview some of the best college teams for the 2010-11 season. The key to having a successful team is having the perfect blend of athleticism, fundamentals and chemistry. We will be breaking down many of the top teams in the coming weeks. The first profile is on Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke Blue Devils. Read More »