Q&A: Duke forward Kyle Singler

DURHAM — Duke forward Kyle Singler, the 2008 ACC Freshman of the Year, has one priority for his sophomore year at Duke — stay big, stay fresh. Here the preseason Wooden Award candidate talks about maintaining his summer weight gain and what Duke has for the 2008-09 season:

Q: How excited are you to play one for real [Monday against Presbyterian]?

A: "We consider these all real. So we have two under belt but really the season starts on Monday. We're really excited. We have a very talented team. We have high expectations and we've been working really hard. So we have two games Monday and Tuesday and we're looking forward to getting to New York but we have to win these first two to get there."

Q: Your coach [Mike Krzyzewski] was talking earlier about how every day you're playing a little more athletically and look a little more comfortable in the body you have. How do you see that?

A: "The one thing I really try to concentrate on is my weight. I just weigh myself two or three times per day. I really don't want to lose any of my weight. I'm at 230 right now. I try to eat as much as I can. So I think that's one thing I stay focused on throughout the day."

Q: So you've lost 5 pounds since the first day of practice?

A: "Yeah."

Q: Is that worrisome for you?

"No, not at all. I knew I would lose some I just don't want to be around 220 at all. Because then that's when I know I'll loose a lot of my energy. So I feel good right now. I just gotta keep maintaining the same things I've been doing."

Q: Walking around with 15-20 extra pounds, do you feel like, 'I can take on anyone.' Do you want to, like, start fights in the street? Do you literally feel any tougher?

A: "No. Really, it's good weight. I don't feel heavier or anything. I'm not complaining. I think I'm playing a lot stronger. Throughout a game, I feel more energeized so I don't reallly lose much. I'm happy with myself. Our team is playing well. [Brian] Zoubek is moving well. A lot of guys were working hard in the offseason. Hopefully that pays off at the end of the season when it counts."