The Johnny Dawkins to Stanford story continues to receive major press interest this morning. Over at the Herald Sun, Frank Dascenzo and Bryan Strickland offer up their take on the move. While at the News & Observer, Luciana Chavez and Caulton Tudor opine. Out west, the San Francisco Chronicle has another article posted.

On the baseball front, Luciana Chavez has written a nice article on left-handed pitcher Christopher Manno who received national recognition this week. Duke is pushing hard to qualify for the ACC Tournament.  Meanwhile, the Duke Lacrosse team defeated UNC in the ACC tournament semi-finals and is set to take on Virginia in the championship game today. Down in the bayou, Joe Alleva's contract has been approved.

The big news this evening is Stanford hiring Johnny Dawkins as their basketball coach. Ray Ratto, of the San Francisco Chronicle, seems to be willing to give Dawkins a chance, while Tim Kawakami, at the San Jose Mercury, isn't impressed with the hire. Those of us who follow Duke basketball understand that Stanford is bringing in a class act in Johnny Dawkins and I'm sure JD will prove Kawakami-san wrong.

In AAU basketball action, here is an update on Friday night action at the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, Ohio. One team competing in Akron is the Indiana Elite with Mason Plumlee, Stephan Van Treese, and Jordan Hulls. According to Jody Demling, of the Louisville Courier-Journal, Duke is showing interest in Hulls who is a 6'0" point guard from Bloomington South High School.

The Asheville Citizen-Times has an update on Miles Plumlee and his request to be released from the National LOI he signed to play at Stanford.

Finally, USA Basketball has an article up on the Olympic Games including the men's and women's schedule.

I met Johnny Dawkins for the first time as a wide eyed freshman and have known him to be a true Blue man ever since.   Being able to watch Johnny break the all time Duke scoring record and seeing his team bring Duke back to the top of the basketball world will always be special to me.  I remember watching him go down to an untimely injury while playing for the Sixers and my heart went out to him then.  Well, it does again. 

Dawkins to Stanford

He will be missed in many ways, but he has taken an opportunity which was at hand.  He has a wonderful family both at Duke and at home and has served the Blue Devils in a most dignified manner.  The Blue Devil Nation wished Johnny all the best and will follow him throughout his career.

Here is a great piece on Duke's ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Singler.  The article discusses his adjustments to the college game and more.

The Phoenix Suns welcome Grant Hill back to the lineup after injury.  The former two time national champion and co-Rookie of the Year will be on the floor for tonight's game against the Timberwolves.  Speaking of Grant, you may have missed that he was recently involved with some cutting edge technology with Cisco.  He was also a close runner up to Antonio McDyess for this seasons NBA Sportsmanship Award.

I've been keeping an eye on Elton Brand in that I can relate to his Achilles tendon rupture.   I can tell you first hand that it is a devastating injury to an active person and especially a big time athlete like Brand.  He has returned to the court for the Los Angeles Clippers and seems ready to go.  Many saw this as an unexpected return.  His wife and Mom, Elsie had just headed out of town and seemed unaware.  Knowing what the injury does to the psych, it was probably best that they didn't know.  It's a long road back and I am so happy he made it.  Meanwhile another former Dukie and Brand teammate, Corey Maggette may not return to the Clippers.  They are currently in contract negotiations, his being up.

Be sure to check out the Duke Men's LAX teams games this Saturday in Durham, as they seek to avenge last seasons loss to John's Hopkins where they fell one game short of the National Championship.