DURHAM -- Based on the tenor of Mike Krzyzewski’s press conference after Duke’s uninspiring 83-76 win over St. John’s on Saturday, it seems a safe bet the Blue Devils will feel the reverberations of their lackluster second half for days to come.

While putting this game in perspective, it’s worth remembering this game could have lasting effects for the upcoming weeks. Here are three final thoughts:

1. Is this year’s Duke team wearing Coach K out?

There are a lot of words one could use to describe Krzyzewski’s mood when he talked about Saturday’s game, but the most apt one might be “fatigued.” Krzyzewski almost seemed to be at the end of his rope, saying that he’s tried all the things he can think of to improve the team’s defense and intensity to no avail.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Duke freshman point guard Quinn Cook will miss tonight's game at Maryland, Duke officials announced as the team arrived at Comcast Center. Cook, the team's starting point guard, is sick and remained in Durham, team officials said.

Freshman forward Michael Gbinije is also under the weather and will miss the contest.

Quinn Cook’s recent issues with his knee are not related to the trouble he had this summer, when Duke doctors shut the freshman point guard for the better part of three months.

Instead, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Cook’s suffering from a knee bruise that he sustained in practice last week.

The freshman point guard only played one minute in the Blue Devils’ 76-73 loss to Florida State on Saturday.

DURHAM – During team meetings and off-the-court conversations, Duke basketball players have stressed improving defensively.

After watching a few opponents blow by them off the dribble or lose them on screens, the No. 8 Blue Devils (13-2, 1-0 ACC) say they’ve had enough. A solid defensive performance in their 81-74 conference-opener over Georgia Tech has bolstered the team’s confidence as they welcome No. 16 Virginia (14-1, 1-0) to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday (ESPN, 9 p.m.).

N.C. State guard Lorenzo Brown was named ACC Player of the Week today after averaging 19.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds in a pair of wins last week over Campbell and Western Carolina.

DURHAM -- As big an attraction as Duke figures to be in China, the Blue Devils’ traveling party won’t lack for celebrity either.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday that he expects former Duke players Grant Hill, Jay Williams, Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving to join the team for part or all of the team’s trip to China and Dubai, as will Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose son Austin is a freshman guard for the Blue Devils.

Duke leaves Sunday for the two-week tour that will include three games against Chinese teams and a fourth against the national team of the United Arab Emirates.

UNC basketball recruit James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston lead their teams against each other Saturday night at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

Duke recruits Quinn Cook, Marshall Plumlee and Michael Gibinjie play in high school games tonight at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.
 

UNC and Duke recruits play in the Triangle this weekend.