11/13/2009 - Michael Tomko, GoDuke.com

DURHAM, N.C. - Olek Czyz soared through the air in the game's opening minutes to bring the crowd and the rest of his teammates to life.

The Gdynia, Poland native, intercepted Kyle Randall's pass along the perimeter capping the play with a high-flying finish to the delight of the crowd.

"That is the best part of it, being out there with my teammates and hearing Cameron Crazies going crazy, chanting your name," Czyz said. "It is an unbelievable feeling."

In his first career start as a Blue Devil, Czyz logged 24 minutes finishing the game with six points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Blue Devils cruised to a 96-62 win over UNC Greensboro.

The 6'7" forward hounded UNC Greensboro players all game with his relenting defense, knack for reading passing lanes and his ferocity for attacking the basket.

"That is just what I try to focus on," Czyz said. "I am just a hustle player. My mission out there is to get stops and play defense and rebound. When I got in those passing lanes, I happened to get a couple steals and took it from there."

His first steal resulted in two points, but also brought the crowd and as his team to life. His second steal, recorded with less than seven minutes remaining in the game and ending with another dunk, put a nice bookend on his first career start.

"We had Lance [Thomas] on the ball so his length was bothering their point guard and that helped me out on the wing contesting," Czyz said. "He [UNC Greensboro ball-handler] was hesitant to make those passes, and Lance made it easier for us to get those steals."

Duke's length helped them come away with eight steals in the game and 20 points off of UNC Greensboro turnovers.

"We wanted to make sure that we used my length on the smaller guy," Lance Thomas said. "There guard is under six feet and my ability to guard him at 6'8", and I just tried to make sure that he couldn't see passing lanes. If he did, we had guys playing those lanes ready for those steals."

Czyz found out earlier this week that he would be making his first career start in the Blue Devil's home opener.

"It has been a process for a couple weeks because we knew Nolan was not going to play in those first two games of the season," Czyz said. "I have been trying to show that I can step up and be out there. I happened to practice well and the coaches came through and had trust in me. They said, 'hey Olek you're the guy, just be ready, we are going to you.'

"It was really exciting for me because it is like a dream coming true because you work so hard and you finally get out there. It is just an unbelievable feeling."

As a freshman, Czyz played in 13 games for the Blue Devils setting his previous career high for points against Presbyterian, scoring four. He played 51 minutes his entire freshman year.

"When he came here he, looking back, we probably just should have redshirted him because he has so much to learn, not just basketball but language academics, he was making a big step forward in a lot of areas," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "And he has made it. He is a really good kid and an outstanding athlete."

Tonight though he showed he has matured, setting career highs in minutes played, points, rebounds, steals and assists.

"Olek was extremely good," Krzyzewski said. "He didn't take an outside shot; got six points, six rebounds, played good defense, three assists, one turnover and he gave a lot of energy. He just did well what he is supposed to do, so I was really happy for him. He played more minutes tonight than he did all last year I think or close to it."