Duke University
coach Mike Krzyzewski is looking forward to putting his new look squad
through their paces when they arrive in London this weekend for a four-day
pre-season tour.
Kinder London Towers
welcome the 2001 NCAA champions to Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
on Sunday and Monday for the International Challenge Series.
The North Carolina
college include potential stars like Chris Duhon and Dahntay Jones, both
of whom were finalists in the pre-season 2003 Wooden Award for National
Player of the Year.
Duke will also be
facing Antwerp and Brighton in low-key scrimmages as well as attending
an alumni event in the capital on Sunday evening.
But for Duke coach
Mike Krzyzewski, the UK trip is all about building for the season ahead.
"For us, this trip
is an opportunity to learn about each other," he said. "With such a young
team, the more games we play, the better. We'll get more accustomed to
our players and they'll get more familiar with us.
"We'll get to see
which combinations of players work. Since half of our team is new, these
games will give us a chance to learn about them and them a chance to learn
about each other.
"[The trip] is not
so much about wins and losses. It gives us time on the court against other
opponents and
the opportunity
to really try to simulate our system, which you can't do completely in
practice situations."
The Londoners too
are enticed by the prospect of taking on the Blue Devils.
Towers' Head Coach
David Lindstrom said: “To have a team of the quality of Duke, led by Coach
K, visiting us is a hugely exciting thing. It will be a great experience
for our players and a real thrill for our fans.”
This is Duke’s first
foreign exhibition tour since a trip to Greece in 1988. Sunday evening's
game is already sold out and only a few tickets remain for Monday.
Those fans who
have not yet got their tickets and are available to attend on Monday night
should call the Towers’ office on 020 8776 7755. Prices are £12 for
an unreserved seat or £20 for a premium reserved seat at the courtside
(all prices are subject to a booking fee).
Click
here to discuss this story
