If the women's basketball team is thinking about Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets this weekend, there's a logical reason for it. The No. 19 Blue Devils are hosting the Duke Women's Basketball Classic this weekend to benefit the local Ronald McDonald house. This is the fourth year of the tournament, and every year the players take the time to visit the house and cook dinner for the parents and other siblings of children in the hospital.
Senior center Alison Day recalled the team's visit this year, shortly after Halloween. Day wore an alligator costume, much to the delight of the kids at the house.
"They see all of these tall women, and I don't think the kids understand that we are basketball players," Day said. "They just see us as someone to play with."
On the court, Duke will be playing in its third tournament of the year. While many teams have just played two or three games, the Blue Devils stand at 4-1. Playing back-to-back games has forced Duke to try to find some consistency, something it has not yet been able to do.
Day pointed to Wednesday night's game against UNC-Asheville as a perfect example. True, the Blue Devils won 95-57 and had five players score in double figures. But the statistics don't tell the full story.
"Against UNC-Asheville was a classic example of us playing down to the other team's level," Day said. "The UNC-A game wasn't a fun game to play in. It wasn't Duke basketball."
The Blue Devils will have to be cautious about falling into the same trap this weekend. This year's Classic line-up isn't as shabby as in the past, but it still consists of three other opponents that the Blue Devils should easily beat. But that's if Duke concentrates for the entire game.
"I think we need to be focused for 40 minutes of basketball," head coach Gail Goestenkors said. "We when get a big lead, I think we tend to lose that focus."
Up first for the Blue Devils on Saturday is Delaware at 1 p.m. The Blue Hens have yet to win a game this year, having finished 12-15 last season. Their top player is Kiesha McFadgio, who is averaging 13.5 points and 4.5 assists per game.
If Duke wins the opening game, it will face the winner of the Michigan State-George Mason game on Sunday at 3 p.m. George Mason was 9-18 last year, while the Spartans finished above .500 with a 16-12 record. This year, Michigan State is undefeated at 3-0 and is led by point guard Tamika Matlock, who is averaging 10 assists per game.
Part of the Blue Devils' inability to stay fully concentrated for an entire game has come from the team's lack of depth. Two outside players, freshman Hilary Howard and junior Shaeeta Brown, were expected to be back for this weekend's tournament. Howard will suit up and participate in warm-ups, but won't be ready to play until the team's Dec. 18 game against West Virginia. The team is unsure when Brown will be ready for action, as she is still walking on crutches.
"The injuries have really affected our depth," Goestenkors said. "It's showed in the second half of some games, where we just have been unfocused. We need to get smarter with the basketball when we're tired."
This will be the Blue Devils' second game at home this season, the first being the opening round of the Preseason National Invitational Tournament. During that game, only 600 fans watched Duke destroy Virginia Commonwealth, and Goestenkors openly admitted she was disappointed with the attendance. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, the men's soccer NCAA quarterfinal game against James Madison is scheduled at the same time as the basketball game. While the team understands many students may support another Duke athletic team on Saturday, it is hoping the fans return on Sunday.
"I just hope that we get a good crowd, a noisy crowd," Goestenkors said. "I hope we do well. It's a benefit game. I hope people from Durham come out and support us."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.