Duke played most of the second half of its 73-71 win over Michigan with four guards on the floor with either forward Kyle Singler or Ryan Kelly in the middle.

Al Featherston, veteran sports reporter writing for GoDuke.com, wrote an interesting piece about that angle. He wrote, “It’s not something Duke has used before – or even could have used while freshman point guard Kyrie Irving was sidelined with a toe injury. However, with Irving’s return this weekend, Mike Krzyzewski can not only put four guards together on the floor, but four guards that few opponents can match.”

The four are Nolan Smith, Andre Dawkins, Seth Curry and Irving.

Coach Krzyzewski said, “We have confidence in all of them. You can’t have equal minutes [for four guards], but for Michigan, thank goodness we had them. [Michigan] did a really good job against us, but they would have done a better job if we were real big. They can slice you up.”

To read Featherston’s piece, please click here.

Here’s what they’re saying about Kyrie Irving after he led Duke with 14 points in an NCAA win over Hampton.

“I know he didn’t play much, but the little that he did play, you could tell he was very explosive, a good scorer. I think that now that Duke has him back, it’ll make it easier for them to make a farther run in the tournament.” – Hampton guard Brandon Tunnell said.

“Less than five minutes into the first half Friday, Kyrie Irving came into the game for Duke and changed the landscape of the NCAA tournament entirely.” – Raleigh News & Observer writer Luke Decock.

“Flashes of brilliance. That’s what we saw from Kyrie Irving against Hampton University in his first game back since injuring his right toe on December 4. And, since his return to the Duke Blue Devils’ lineup was uncertain for much of the season, the key question now will be how will Mike Krzyzewski utilizes him as the Blue Devils advance in the NCAA Tournament.” – former coach and ESPN contributor Fran Fraschilla.

“We’re even more dangerous. We’ve just added a player as talented as him [who] can score the ball, and it gives us another weapon.’’ – Duke’s Nolan Smith.

“Kyrie helps our team. We are a really good team. And now we’ll just have to learn how to play with him again. But he’s easy to play with, and it won’t be too hard.’’ – Duke’s Kyle Singler.

“Before this game, it wasn’t exactly clear how Irving would click with Duke’s stars, and the Blue Devils’ blowout didn’t really answer that question. Irving shared the floor with Nolan Smith, the ACC’s player of the year, for only a handful of possessions in the first half, and his post targets most of the afternoon were Ryan Kelly and Josh Hairston rather than Mason and Miles Plumlee, the starting duo. Irving’s team-high 14 points were deceptive in this way. He didn’t log a field goal until the Blue Devils had already built a 71-39 lead, and Duke’s matchup with Michigan, itself a blowout winner, will be a better indication of Irving’s newfound impact.” – Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal writer.

GQ magazine, which chose Duke basketball fans as the eighth worse in sports, uses graphic descriptions and foul language to blast fans who blast others. While it’s hard to argue with the inclusion of most fans on the list, the article is kinda like hearing one of the “Housewives of Orange County” talk trash about another one.

Los Angeles Lakers’ fans are described as “Starf*ckers” except without the “*.” Oakland Raiders fans are stereotyped as “criminals.” Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fans are called “savages.” And Duke fans are considered “dicks.”

Here’s what GQ has to say about the “Silver-spoon bullies” otherwise known as Duke fans: “Duke fans who complain that everyone hates them because they’re too good are like cheerleaders who complain that everyone hates them because they’re too pretty. Sorry, princess! Soaked with arrogance (and Dick Vitale tongue baths), the Dukies have hit NC State with the chant ‘If you can’t go to college, go to State!’ while UNC has gotten the blunter ‘We’re smart! You’re dumb!’ This from the crowd who interminably claim to be the classiest in all of basketball. Here’s what the most reviled fans in college sports don’t understand: When everyone already resents you for being a perennial national champion, brainstorming new ways to make fun of people doesn’t make you clever. It makes you a dick.”

A lot of people probably agree with that assessment – and it actually could have included acts more classless than that. But I thought it was funny that GQ disputes Duke fans’ claim that they are disliked because they are “too good” but then admits that people resent Duke “for being a perennial national champion.” By the way, the Blue Devils are not perennial national champions – yet.

I also don’t hear Duke fans claim they are the classiest in all of basketball. The author might be confusing Duke fans with Carolina fans. (By the way, when Dean Smith was coach and didn’t allow signs, waving behind baskets and personal chants against players, Carolina fans were the classiest yet they were loud and supportive of their team. But they have fallen victim to trying to out-Duke Duke.)

The worse fans from 15th to 1st, GQ says, are Los Angeles Lakers, Oregon basketball, Wisconsin football, Dallas Cowboys, Montreal Canadiens, LSU football, New York Yankees, Duke basketball, Penn State football, Boston Red Sox, Maryland basketball, Oakland Raiders, West Virginia Mountaineers, and tied for first are the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies.

Those appearing on the list aren’t big surprises but the order is somewhat surprising. For instance, Red Sox fans “worse” than Yankees fans? Do you have others that might have appeared on the list?

Duke super frosh Kyrie Irving may play in the NCAA tournament after missing months and 26 games.

Irving injured his right big toe Dec. 4 and has only recently returned to any basketball practice. If he doesn’t play in the tournament though, he may have already played his last game as a Blue Devil as he sits atop most NBA draft charts because of his potential.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said if he does return to play against Hampton in the first round of the tournament Friday afternoon, Irving would not start and would only play a few minutes. A decision probably won’t be made until after practice on Thursday in Charlotte.

Duke certainly doesn’t need Irving to beat Hampton but the Devils have to win six games to win the national title. If Irving gets back up to speed, he could certainly help the cause. But he could also, despite what teammates are saying, mess up the chemistry and rotation that players and coaches have gotten comfortable with.

Irving was leading the Blue Devils in scoring over the first eight games of the season with a 17 points per game average. But Duke has all the shooters they need to win a championship – Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins. If Irving were a big man, then we’re talking a big difference maker. The Devils could use help inside. That being said, Irving is a point guard that could make the big men look better on offense.

The blogosphere is already burning up that, with Irving in the lineup, you can just hand the NCAA trophy to Duke again. While I’m sure Coach K will work him in gradually so that the Duke engine is roaring by the Final Four, I’m just not sure the Devils will make it to the Final Four.

They should win the first two games handily but it could take a while for Irving to work in smoothly plus all it takes for a three-point shooting team like Duke to be ousted is to have one bad shooting game. By the time Irving is about settled in again, the Devils may have bowed out.

On the other hand, if the shooters can avoid a one-game slump, by game six of the NCAA tourney, Irving (if truly healthy) and the Devils should be playing at their peak. This season, that could be enough to take it all – but I wouldn’t bet on it just yet.