Kritik und Lob » season after suffering an ACL tear against Hull.Paddy

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.Cheap Air Max 270 China . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Fake Sneakers China . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. http://www.outletsneakersclearance.com/fake-air-max-270.html . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Cheap Yeezys Fake . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Vans Outlet Clearance . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals.Over the past few seasons, consistency has been regularly eluding Liverpool. The club has shown an innate ability to rise to their competition against the big boys, but also lower themselves against what could be considered sub-par competition.Jurgen Klopps boys have been largely excellent, especially in the attacking third, but theyve had at least two occasions this season where one can say they probably should have achieved a better result.The Reds (8-3-1) are aiming to get back to their winning ways on Saturday against resurgent Sunderland to Anfield.Liverpools attacking core of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have steered the Reds just one point behind Chelsea for the top spot in the Premier League.There have been persistent issues over the years with the defence, but the central defence pairing of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren have formed a nice partnership as they collected just their second clean sheet of the season in last weeks scoreless draw against Southampton at St. Marys Stadium.The Reds had the better of the play for most of the afternoon as Firmino had an excellent chance on 65 minutes. Coutinho found him well inside the box, but he could only prod his effort wide of the mark from close range. Nathaniel Clyne then had a chance to score against his former club as he was presented with a free header at the back post, but failed to find the target.After struggling all season, Sunderland (2-2-8) have collected their first two wins of the season in consecutive games against Hull City and Bournemouth. Klopp is aware of what a club with some confidence is capable of doing.We saw the games and maybe they played better games than against Hull or Bournemouth, but they won the games,Klopp said.dddddddddddd Thats the most important thing, to get confidence, and they have it now.Its our job to show from the first second as a big group, crowd involved, that we are different -- here its different. Sunderland, if they win football games in the Premier League: well done, deserved, whatever. But not here. Thats what we have to show (but) that will not be easy -- the exact opposite of easy. I really, really hope that my team is ready for it, and I hope that the whole crowd is ready for it too.Last weeks 3-0 win over Hull could be considered Sunderlands best performance of the season. Jermain Defoe opened the scoring on 34 minutes and Victor Anichebe added a brace to hand the Black Cats a comfortable three points.David Moyes club will be shorthanded this weekend as midfielder Paddy McNair will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL tear against Hull.Paddy was starting to understand more about the club, the supporters and also the general game, so its a real shame for the boy, Moyes said. Hes really keen to do well and he works really hard at his game to try and improve, so were incredibly disappointed because we want to try and build a young team going forward and Paddy was part of that.Liverpool have never lost a Premier League match against Sunderland at Anfield (seven wins, eight draws). The Reds are also unbeaten in their last 18 home games in all competitions against the Black Cats (nine wins, nine draws).Sunderland did manage a point in the clubs last meeting on Feb. 6 when Defoe and Adam Johnson scored inside the final 10 minutes to rescue a 2-2 draw at Anfield. ' ' '