THE DUHON FILE

Born: Aug. 31, 1982 (Slidell, La.)
Size: 6'1", 190 pounds
Key stats: 8.9 points, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals per game in 2001-02

	It's Duhon's turn to lead the Blue Devils. Can he do it?

Some news briefs from Tobacco Road, in case you're just joining us: Duke and North Carolina hate each other ... Cameron Indoor gets pretty loud during games ... This year's Duke team belongs entirely to Chris Duhon. "This is my team," the junior point guard declares, "and I'm taking full responsibility for our season." After early exits to the NBA by Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy, Duhon takes the helm for a potentially bumpy Blue Devils run. Besides him, there's only one returning starter (senior forward Dahntay Jones), and despite its "Super Six" handle, this year's recruit class remains untested. "He's got to play better," says Mike Krzyzewski, "because we don't have the stars." Good thing Duhon's got no problem accepting responsibility.

***

POINT OF ORDER
Duhon split ballhandling duties with Williams last year, a scheme that maximized talent but minimized offensive continuity. But with so many weapons, there were a lot more options for getting the ball through the hoop. This year, says Krzyzewski, "Chris is in a role where nothing can take away from what he can do." Translation from K-speak: Duhon's expected to pick up the scoring slack while still running the offense efficiently. "Chris is the one directing traffic out there," says Jones. And this year he'll see plenty of green lights.

BRITISH INVASION
A beautiful loophole, the kind only Duke would notice. By scheduling an exhibition trip to London during the fall break, the Blue Devils were able to start practicing 10 days earlier than everyone else. And while four games in three days against Euro pros turned them into the Black-and-Blue Devils, the time together turned them into a team. They went 3–1 on the trip, and after struggling early, Duhon ran the offense deftly. On the second night, a group of Duke students studying abroad scored tickets for a Devils game against an English pro team, London Towers: "We're in this gym in the middle of London," Duhon says, "and it's jam-packed with Duke fans." Go to hell, London Towers, go to hell!

FLOOR GENERAL
Duhon plays coach for the reserves during heated scrimmages against the assistants -- the likes of Chris Collins, Steve Wojciechowski and Johnny Dawkins, all former players. The idea is to help Chris master the offense he'll be charged with executing. Results so far suggest Duhon should stick to drawing double-teams, not drawing plays. "We call him the coach of the Washington Generals, because he racks up loss after loss," says Collins, whose squad won eight of 10 last year and the only meeting so far this season. "He's finding out coaching isn't quite as easy as playing."

WATCH YOUR BACKUP
"Fab Five" may be a catchier moniker, but Duke's "Super Six" might be more talented. Four were McDonald's All-Americans (J.J. Redick, Sean Dockery, Shavlik Randolph, Michael Thompson). Forward Shelden Williams was a two-time Player of the Year in Oklahoma, and forward Lee Melchionni's dad, Gary, captained Duke in the early '70s. As many as three of the frosh could join Duhon and Jones in the starting five -- Thompson, Randolph and Williams all have eyes for the open post spots. Not even Duhon can coast, as Dockery is good enough to steal minutes. "Having Sean is good for Chris because it makes sure he's always ready to play," says Collins. "Those 30-35 minutes per game are not a given."

DOUBLE DUHON
Chris isn't even the most popular Duhon in the Dukies' den. That honor goes to his little bro, Thomas, an Urkelesque 10-year-old who's been a Cameron cult hero since moving to Durham with his mom and big brother in 2000. "He says he's planning on crowd surfing even more this year," Chris says, referring to the Crazies' penchant for passing little Duhon over their heads up and down the student section. "But he told me to keep my eyes on the game." Good advice, because while the crowd is carrying Thomas, Chris will be carrying the team.

This article will appear in the November 25 issue of ESPN The Magazine.