12/31/2008 - Michael Tomko, GoDuke.com

DURHAM, N.C. – Brian Zoubek wasn’t on the court very long today, playing only 17 total minutes in fifth ranked Duke’s 92-51 win over Loyola of Maryland inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.

But the seven footer didn’t need a ton of minutes to be effective and efficient on Couch K Court, as the Haddonfield, N.J. native recorded a double-double scoring 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting  while pulling down 10 rebounds. The junior also recorded a block giving him at least one in eight games this season.

“I think I did all right today,” Zoubek said. “It is just getting better every day. I feel more comfortable. I feel like I am getting into the flow more. The more efficient I can be with my minutes the better it is.”

This is the second consecutive game where Zoubek was a factor on both ends of the court. Against Xavier, 11 days ago, Zoubek went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, scoring nine points and grabbing 5 rebounds.

More impressively, he recorded a career high four blocked shots against Xavier while altering countless others by being a disruptive presence inside the lane.
Even better, he is learning not to foul.

“I think the refs are getting use to me a little bit more,” Zoubek said. “I am getting use to them a little bit more. I am being a little smarter, getting a little more fluid, better footwork and that really helps on the defensive side.”

Zoubek wasn’t the only Blue Devil to score points close to the basket. As a team the Blue Devils scored 60 points in the paint, nearly two-thirds of their total for the game as they ended up shooting better than 54 percent.

“I think we did a great job of that [scoring in the paint],” Zoubek said. “Me and Kyle [Singler] were really able to take advantage of that. The guards did a great job of getting us the ball.”

Singler led the Blue Devils with 20 points pulling down eight rebounds.

Because of the efficient play of Zoubek, the Blue Devil perimeter players were able to attack the basket more frequently and with less worry of a double team coming over to help.

“It helps a lot,” Jon Scheyer said. “Zoubek has been [playing] at another level this year. His presence down low allows us not to have opposing defenses focus on the outside. That is a big thing for us.”

Scheyer and Gerald Henderson excelled today at penetrating into the lane and scoring baskets close to the hoop. Scheyer finished the contest with 12 points, getting to the free throw line eight times and connecting on six. He also handed out six assists to lead the Blue Devils in that category.

Henderson on the other hand seemed like he scored all his points today above the rim as the junior shot 8-of-12 from the floor for 19 points. Henderson caught three passes in the air that he converted into layups as well as a circus layup while being fouled with the Merion, Pa. native getting the friendly bounce off the glass as it went through the net. Henderson was able to convert the three-point play.

“It is great,” Henderson said. “Brian has done a really good job throughout the whole season really. He is finishing inside. Especially defensively, if he is not blocking shots he is altering shots. And when we feed him in the post, he is scoring but also finding guys cutting and relocating. He has done a really good job.”

“I think we will see as the season goes on for sure, but I think we are a really balanced team,” Scheyer said. “Zoubek makes us that balanced team.”

Zoubek is feeling good after some much needed rest at home during the holidays and is pleased with the way the first half of the season has gone.

With the win the Blue Devils improved to 9-2 all-time on New Year’s Eve, including a 3-0 record under Coach K.

The Blue Devils finish 2008 with an 11-1 record and welcome Virginia Tech into Cameron Indoor Stadium on Sunday Jan. 4 to kick off ACC play.

“We did a pretty good job today,” Scheyer said. “It is a good win leading into conference.”