Jordan Davidson News

The Franklin Times/GEOFF NEVILLE Louisburg's Elijah Smith prepares to dunk while being fouled by Vance-Granville's Trentin Cozart during Tuesday night's game.

There was plenty of talk Friday about what Duke doesn't have and who the Blue Devils aren't getting.

An already thin backcourt in Durham just got a whole lot thinner as junior guard Nolan Smith has been suspended for the first two games of the season.

" As junior guard Nolan Smith, center, sat on the bench in the first half Tuesday night, Duke wobbled like a truck with one under-inflated tire.

Javi Gonzalez, right, is one of three point guard candidates for N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe.

Because of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's propensity to shorten his bench as the season stretches along, few former walk-ons ever have the chance to play important minutes, much less make an impact.

MARCH 21: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a basket against the Texas Longhorns during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

You knew Coach Mike Krzyzewski wasn't going to sit around and idly watch his 2009-10 season slip away four full months before it even began.

Much has been made of Duke's 2010 recruiting class, one that could be crucial to the Blue Devils' efforts to catch up with North Carolina.

Mike Krzyzewski was talking about the ACC on Tuesday when he best expressed the challenges he faces with his own men's basketball team this season.

Mike Krzyzewski will finish his coaching career at Duke, not with any other college program or in the NBA.