- The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper

In securing the NCAA championship last season, Duke experienced a bittersweet victory, knowing the loss of two crucial players - national player of the year Shane Battier and Nate James - would follow. But don't think the Blue Devils will miss them much: Duke enters the 2001-02 season as the overwhelming national title favorite, occupying the top spots in both the Associated Press and coaches' polls.

Junior point guard Jason Williams, however, disregards the preseason speculation.

"I don't think we feel pressure," Williams said. "We know that the preseason is preseason. Just because a team got preseason No. 1 doesn't mean we are going to be No. 1 at the end of the season. All it does is put a target on our backs. I think that's great for us because we always have to be ready to play. You can't blink your eye, because you might lose a game."

COURTESY DUKE MEDIA RELATIONS

Although the loss of leadership from Battier and James is substantial, Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski remains optimistic about the season.

"We are really enthusiastic about this season," said Krzyzewski, who had a busy postseason after winning the national title, writing a book and recruiting a top-ranked incoming class for 2003. "Everyone is healthy again, and we have almost everyone back. We will miss Shane, but we have the talent to deal with his loss. We are a talented team. There is no question about it."

The diversity of talent, skill and experience on the court allows Duke to employ a degree of versatility in its lineup. Williams, sophomore guard Chris Duhon and junior forward Mike Dunleavy are a trio who can all drive, shoot and defend.

Should Duke be plagued by injuries this season as it was last year, the Blue Devils should be able to adapt easily. Junior center Casey Sanders got a lot of playing time last year when Carlos Boozer was sidelined and will be the first man off the Blue Devils' bench. Big men Matt Christensen and Nick Horvath will also contribute up front and spell Boozer and Dunleavy. Duke's bench is as powerful as they come, which will prove to be a major factor in the Blue Devils run for another title.

Amid all the hype surrounding the Blue Devils' reputed reign over the NCAA, the continued leadership of Krzyzewski will prevent their focus from being diverted from attaining a winning season.

Rather than concentrate primarily on the pursuit of another national championship, "we're just going to enjoy playing to have fun, to be really good, to be exciting - the same stuff we do every year - because that's what they should be doing," Krzyzewski said. "I don't want like a neon sign in the locker room or above their beds or in their bathroom that says 'national championship, national championship,' and turn it off at the end to say 'failure, failure, failure,' or 'success, success, success.' We've had a target on us for the last 15 years and you learn to live with that and like it"