Nolan Smith News

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.

For years, everything Duke and North Carolina achieved - the conference championships, Final Four trips and national titles - has been connected in a back-and-forth game of one-upmanship. These days the Tar Heels have the upper hand.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Duke's backcourt is thin this season. If that isn't news to you, then please do us all a favor and pass the message to members of the media.

Duke guard Nolan Smith will sit out two games because he played in an unsanctioned summer league.

Remember, remember the twelfth of Novembera 'if you're a Duke fan. That's the day Harrison Barnes, the nation's top-ranked recruit, will announce which school will benefit from his numerous talents.

Johnny Dawkins has little time to ponder the great challenge he faces in rebuilding Stanford's proud basketball program.

This is the final preview breaking down the Duke basketball season. This series represents a collaboration between members of the Bleacher Report Duke Basketball Page and looks at the Blue Devils'A frontcourt , backcourt , and bench.

This represents the second in a series of three previews breaking down the Duke Basketball season.

Defending national champion North Carolina and Duke each have Hall of Fame coaches, deep front lines and questions in the backcourt this season.

Duke routs Pfeiffer in exhibition, 128-70 Eds: APNewsNow. Duke 128, Pfeiffer 70.

Kyrie Irving listened to his heart and his mind, and both told him to play basketball at Duke.

Duke prides itself on doing things a little differently. For instance, the Blue Devils play for relationships instead of championships.

The Duke Blue Devils are preparing for the upcoming basketball season like their counterparts at campuses around the country; by running, lifting weights, and putting together Youtube videos.

Duke's Countdown to Craziness went off without a hitch and by all accounts was a huge success.

News, analysis, feature stories, random thoughts... if it's about college basketball, either in season or during the summer doldrums, you'll find it in Beyond the Arc.

Duke's Countdown to Craziness is under way. Check back for live updates on the festivities.

After all the talk about how heavily Duke will rely on Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler for scoring this season, Nolan Smith wants to be part of that discussion as well.

After relying on its perimeter game the last couple of years, Duke will try to be more physical in 2009-10. Veterans Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek bring starting experience up front, and the Blue Devils hope to get more out of sophomores Olek Czyz and Miles Plumlee .

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

DURHAM Duke plans to unveil several new looks for the coming men's basketball season beginning tonight.