A lot of thoughts and feelings rushed through Shane Battier's head as he entered the Tropicana Field locker room.
One of the most dominating seasons in college basketball history had just ended, but not with the triumphant exclamation point all had expected. Instead, one of the greatest teams in NCAA history fell victim to one of the game's greatest upsets.
The pain was sharp walking off the court and toward that locker room. Battier and the Blue Devils would not get the national championship trophy everyone had already given them.
But then, sitting in that locker room, Battier looked around at all the sullen faces of his teammates-his friends-and realized that the game was not the greatest loss that dismal Monday night.
Simply put, the ride was finished.
"The loss of the game was sad because it ended the time that our family last year was going to spend together," Battier said. "Games come and go, wins and losses come and go, but what made it so special last year was the group of guys that we had. We were so together.... After the game was over and we lost, everyone realized it was over."
At the time, the family losses were Trajan Langdon, Taymon Domzalski, Justin Caldbeck and, most suspected, Elton Brand. Five weeks later, though, the family was unrecognizable.
Battier's prized recruiting class is now just Battier. Chris Carrawell's closest buddies are playing for millions in the NBA. But Battier and Carrawell remain in Durham, sharing one common bond and hoping to spread one simple message.
"The main thing is, we are still Duke," Carrawell said. "Those four letters across our chest still remain. I think we're going to be ready."
Carrawell and Battier, along with Nate James, are the only three significant players returning from last year's team. But the Blue Devils bring in the nation's top freshman class, and although Duke will be forced to rely on youth from the very beginning, expectations are high.
"I don't think the expectations at Duke are ever low. I don't see anybody picking us last," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "In some respects, it can be more difficult because these guys are supposed to sustain excellence, and six of them have never played a college game."
While pollsters have shown great faith in the Blue Devils, some concern is evident in Carrawell. He is still confident, but does not show the same cockiness of years past. His words have been a lot more subdued this year, perhaps because he knows he is the only one left to back up his trash talk.
This year, the Blue Devils will not win games on sheer talent. It's going to take clutch performances in tough games.
"It's a challenge," Carrawell said. "The
Whenever the Blue Devils' lone senior gets scared, though, he thinks back to the one time last year when he and Battier had to carry the load. It was crunch time against St. John's in Madison Square Garden, but Avery, Brand and James had all fouled out of the game. Langdon had four fouls and was the focal point of the Red Storm's defense.
Down three early in the overtime, Carrawell and Battier made huge plays down the stretch. Battier took two charges and scored four in the period while Carrawell took over point guard duties and finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
"I didn't have to do that much last year because we were up 25 points all the time," Carrawell said. "Anytime I look back at the season, and I look at this year, I look at that game.... [It told me] that I could do it."
And although St. John's was a nice test, the very next game Avery and Brand were back on the floor. Now they are gone for good. Battier, Carrawell and James must emerge from the niches that they have carved for themselves. They can no longer play specialized roles, except that of the star.
"I think the success of our team will be based on how well those three guys not only play, but lead," Krzyzewski said, "how they assert their presence on the court, not just in numbers, but how they interact with their teammates, how they handle the whole thing."
But the three captains will not fight the naysayers alone. Tonight, Duke officially introduce its stellar incoming class, rated the best in the country, if not one of the best ever.
It boasts a superstar point guard, the son of the NBA's coach of the year and a trio of big (or need-to-get big) men. The high school accomplishments of this sextuplet of freshmen are well documented, but in Division I basketball, there is no telling what can happen.
And for the players and coaches, that is the greatest thrill they face this season. During last year's 37-2 season, nearly every game was a blowout and any loss was a great letdown.
"It will be more exciting this year," Carrawell said. "Don't get me wrong, I like the blow outs. I always like to win by 25. But in pressure-packed games, the great players come out when those games come around.
"We're going to have a lot more of those games this year. It will be a lot more exciting to watch."
Duke's ability to win close games may often come down to freshman point guard Jason Williams. An incredibly gifted athlete, Williams can shoot from the perimeter, penetrate or distribute the ball. And although no one doubts his talents, the key to the Blue Devils' season may lie in Williams' ability to handle the wear and tear and pressures of being the focal point of a top-10 team.
One man who is certainly excited is Krzyzewski. Beginning his 20th season at Duke fully recovered from his hip surgery, Krzyzewski has returned to the active coaching style he prefers. And with six freshmen adjusting to a new system, the coach's return to the sideline could not come at a better time.
"They didn't operate on my heart or my head," Krzyzewski said. "I see myself getting up more for this team. Not because [of the new hip] but because I think this team will need it for direction."
Fundamentals will be taught from the beginning and will continue through the year as the coach tries to train a new generation to his motion offense and man-to-man defense.
Last year, Krzyzewski could often let the team (and talent) run itself. The Blue Devils had no set plays for fast breaks. Krzyzewski just told his players to run. This year, there are a lot more plans, a lot more details.
"We're still going to try to score a lot of points and run the ball. But when you teach motion offense, at times it's difficult to teach a young group to read everybody," Krzyzewski said. "So there might be a little more defined movement early on in an exchange.... We're trying to alter our system to fit this group, which is always exciting."
The system is being designed around Battier and Carrawell, but Williams' instant impact has already forced Krzyzewski to reconsider his schemes.
And that's what's got the Blue Devils so eager to start the year. The team they see today will likely be very different from the team they see January.
"I think the excitement comes in not knowing how good were going to be," Battier said. "Instead of frustration and expectations, right now we have no idea how good were going to be.... The true excitement lies in the potential of this team and its youth."
With such talented underclassmen, the future is bright for Duke. The Blue Devils will undoubtedly survive the off-season from hell, but things have forever changed.
Now, three captains, six freshmen, three walk-ons and a center who has not played in three years must somehow gel together and begin a quest.
The final destination is anybody's guess, its potential limitless. But more importantly, this cast must form a new family to help Duke let go of this off-season and move on.
"I think everyone has pegged us a couple of notches below where we were the last couple of years," Battier said. "We'll have to show that Duke is going to be Duke and that we're going to be good."
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