DieBruderschaft.com

DURHAM, N.C. -- Even with a rash of injured players often dominating the conversation about Dukes basketball team for the first few weeks of the season, theres another identity thats more relevant for coach Mike Krzyzewski in describing the Blue Devils.I have tough kids, Krzyzewski said. I have really tough kids.Thats what the No. 5 Blue Devils have been counting on as theyve rung up a 7-1 record. Only six players were used in Tuesday nights victory against Michigan State.Playing six guys is never going to be easy, fifth-year senior forward Amile Jefferson said. But guys have to always be tough.A deeper bench is likely to be in use Saturday when Duke wraps up a four-game homestand by taking on Maine (2-5) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.Krzyzewski said with Jefferson and guards Matt Jones and Grayson Allen there are enough veteran players to help the Blue Devils through rough patches.Theyve been in big-time games, Krzyzewski said. Theyve had adversity. ... Theyve earned it. It is not inherited wealth, lets put it that way. Its stuff theyve earned.Playing with grit is something thats endearing in some ways for the Blue Devils.We have this inner toughness, Jefferson said. A toughness of the heart and the spirit more than physical. Our guys have always come ready to play.Duke owns a five-game winning streak, but Jones said the 78-69 victory against Michigan State was particularly satisfying because the Blue Devils had to dig deep.I think were growing as a team, especially winning that game, he said. Its definitely a confidence booster. We just have to keep it going.Jones received rave reviews after the last game from Krzyzewski because of his defense. The effort on the defensive end was needed because Jones ended up with just two points for his first time short of double figures this season.It became Dukes first game this season without five players in double-digit scoring.Maine is coming off an 82-61 home loss to Central Connecticut State on Wednesday night. That opponent has the Blue Devils nickname as well -- yet with the game attracting an announced attendance of 836 it means Saturdays game should result in a drastically different setting for the Black Bears.This will be Maines second visit to an Atlantic Coast Conference campus this season after an 80-67 loss for last months opener at Virginia Tech.The Black Bears, wholl face Duke for the first time, were picked to finish last in the America East preseason poll. That didnt sit well with third-year coach Bob Walsh.The truth is, it bothers me, Walsh said. It bothers our players. But that is a good thing. All Black Bear programs show up with something to prove when we play, with a pride and toughness that is evident.The great thing about competition is we get to play the games and the results speak for themselves.Black Bears freshman forward Andrew Fleming, who was the top high school player in Maine last season, posted a season-best 20 points in the teams last outing. Vincent Lecavalier Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Louis-Domingue-Jersey/ . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Ryan Callahan Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Victor Hedman Lightning Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Thanasi Kokkinakis grand slam season is officially a write off, after the tennis star was ruled out of the U.S. Open.The 20-year-old pulled a pectoral muscle in training, and will now miss the final major tournament of the year which starts on August 29.The injury could also place him in doubt for next months Davis Cup tie against Slovakia in Sydney.Kokkinakis injury is not believed to be related to the shoulder blow which ruled him out of the first three majors of the season.The South Australian has played just one competitive match on the tour this year, going down in straight sets via two ttie breakers in this months Olympics to Portugals Gastao Elias.ddddddddddddHe was hitting some high forehands and he kind of felt it just a little bit, his manager, Rick Montz, told Fairfax Media.Its worse than a strain, so its going to take a couple of weeks, probably, of not hitting, for that to heal.Kokkinakis has since slipped to No. 841 on the rankings as a result of the of the ongoing injuries, down from his 69th place ranking he held at this point last year. 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