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Jared McCain Coverage

The Hurricanes have topped 50 wins for a third straight season, putting them in rarified air in the NHL. Plus, Scottie Scheffler wins The Masters, Caitlin Clark could change the WNBA and more!

Canes join a historic club, Duke departures and free chicken in the sports moments of the week

Duke's Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski have declared for the NBA Draft.

Duke's Jared McCain, Kyle Filipowski to enter NBA Draft

Jared McCain

And to be this close to it, it's my um uh the second game you turn around last week, what, what, what allowed you to carry a lot of that in order to do anything to win, I do anything to win or whether it's not making shots and things. I don't do anything today. So I know I, I, you, you, you can't really do it fine. But uh one thing I talk about about Issy. So uh it's funny to visualize a rep is the same, the same muscles working. So I do like visualization, workout basically. Uh That's what we do. The, the national narrative has been that the AC C is down, but three of the eight in the final eight are from the AC C. So what is everyone across the country getting, getting so wrong about this conference? I don't know. I mean, they just, they just continue to hate on us especially we, we're Duke, we get the hate. Um AC C gets to hate that we're not that good, but I mean, it shows the work shows. Uh we got three in the Elite eight. It's insane. Uh Yeah, crazy that we're here. Um, I mean, you've played state twice already. Um What do you expect out of that on Sunday? Uh, I mean, the same team we got, uh, whenever we play the AC C game, uh, they're on a crazy run so we got to come out first and stop them, stop them early. They got great players. Uh, but we listen to coach sh we'll be fine. I don't know if you've been able to notice or not, but like every time D JB touches the ball, the crowd goes in the same as, as an opposing player. Is that something you've noticed? And how do you, how do you do? I mean, we've, we've watched him on film, you can hear the crowd when you see him on film, the crowd goes crazy whenever he touches the ball. Um He's a great player. Um So we're gonna have to just stay calm in those situations. Um We've been here before. We've been in the exact same situation. So they got us last time. So it should be our turn.

McCain: The work shows (the ACC) has three in the Elite 8

Duke's Jared McCain

NC State, Duke and North Carolina are still dancing in the NCAA tournament...with the Wolfpack and Blue Devils still alive in the men's and women's bracket. We look back at all the madness and much more!

The State of Hoops, NFL rule changes and an off-the-rails game show in the sports moments of the week

Jared McCain and Mark Mitchell each had 15 points, and No. 4 seed Duke opened the NCAA Tournament with an uneven performance before finally pulling away from 13th-seeded Vermont for a 64-47 victory. 

March Madness: Duke gets past Vermont 64-47 in first round

NCAA Vermont Duke Basketball

Duke enters the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a No. 13 ranking in the final AP Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils have lost their last two games.

Potential Sweet 16 matchup vs. Houston part of Duke's path to Final Four

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Duke and North Carolina are set to tip off for the second time this season during Saturday's game at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham. The WRAL Sports staff previews the "Battle of the Blues."

Duke, UNC prepare for second Battle of the Blues of 2024

Bacot, Filiposwki 

Duke guard Jared McCain has double-digit rebounds in four of the past five games. He details how that happened against Wake Forest. 

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I'm, I'm big into yoga and meditation. Um So I just kind of center myself, center my body, uh whether it's on the core, I do some yoga post. Shout out to my yoga teacher, uh if you sent me some stuff to do before the game in the morning. Um So yeah, just kind of meditation. Breathing is I always come back to my breath during the game. Uh So this pregame, I'd like to do a little ritual with uh yoga. Do you have one question for Jerry, please? I'm sure you guys asked this already, but I think it's three or four. Now, you've had to at least 10 plus rebounds 11. Um, has it been intentional just trying to crash the boards more? Yeah, I think it's just more of a want, uh, coaches allow me to crash the offensive board, so I'm able to kind of sneak and sometimes I get the, uh, on the free throw block outs or something like that, but I think I just want it, you know, it's something our team needs sometimes and I feel like I can execute that when you have a transition. Yeah. I mean, we're able to get it when I'm able to get the rebound defensively and just push it, like when a guard gets the rebound, it's so easy to push it and get out in transition early. And then I love those transition threes. Probably my favorite shot to hit.

Duke's Jared McCain continues to crash boards

Duke's Jared McCain vs. Wake Forest

Duke outlasts Wake Forest, 77-69, at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Duke clips Boston College Eagles, 80-65

Duke's Jared McCain says he takes the blame for a career-night from Pittsburgh's Blake Hinson after the Blue Devils lost to the Panthers on Saturday.

He let Hinton, uh, get the first transition three. And that kind of led him to, um, make shots later in the game. And, uh, that's my part. That was my man. So, um, I, I take blame for that. Uh, but defensively, we just couldn't stream together stops. Um, and then we would get close and then they'd hit a three. It felt like. And, uh, yeah, so it really just starts with our defense and, uh, that's gonna be the main emphasis made it so difficult to sustain the positive. Like you guys would get tied or take a small lead and then it was like, they come back with a bunch of buckets or it was tough because I know they, I would stay attached to Henson and, uh, they would do the pick and roll action and then get Federico on the, on the roll of the floater. Um, the lefty point guard would get a floater in the lob. So it was tough guarding him on that, uh, on that set. But, um, we should have just got the ball better, boy, the ball better. Um, a lot of things on our part, we could have done better. Did you feel like you were gonna get a lot better of a shot from them? Given what happened up there? And it is super tough knowing that like it happens all the time when you beat the team on the road or you beat a team in the, in the first part of the season and they come back and, you know, they want revenge just like how we wanted it with Georgia Tech. Um So it's tough to repair like that, especially without Mark and Jeremy. Um But yeah, just a game we should have won it. I, I know there's no excuses but for, to playing without Mark and Jeremy, how, how difficult is that? How much of that change would you all do? Uh I mean, it's huge, it's huge for us. Uh Jeremy brings that leadership and Mark, obviously playing with four guards is just different. We're not used to it. Um But having Mark in there to just be a big presence for us, I mean, and Jeremy just to lead us throughout the whole game. He's been so consistent throughout the whole year. So, um yeah, just likes to be without him this game. Can you point to anything that they, you weren't able to stop and just have challenges with the Yeah, really. It was just, I mean, on my part, I was, I was going Hinson and I was, I let him get hot early and they just continued throughout the whole game. So, um yeah, that was my man and I take full responsibility for that. Uh Yeah, I think it comes coming to Duke um people, uh we have a target on our back and, um you know, it's just, it's a big thing to beat us. Uh But yeah, just, I don't know, I don't know what that was, to be honest.

Duke's Jared McCain: "That was my man and I take full responsibility for that"

Duke basketball Jared McCain vs. Pittsburgh

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer describes what "Duke Shots" are and why freshman guard Jared McCain is so good at them.

Ever since I can remember being recruited to come play at Duke. Coach K would talk to me about Duke shots like here's what our shots are. And if you think about the history of our program, uh transition threes, you know, I think back to JJ Reddick four on one break at Boston College is, is I think some of, you know what I'm talking about, he pulls up for three, kick out threes off offensive rebounds where you're ready to shoot. I actually thought Tyrese passed up on one of those tonight. Uh But those are Duke threes, transition threes and offensive rebound threes and uh, Jared, he's just wired differently, you know, he's wired that way. We've talked about those shots and he has my full blessing to shoot him because he's a really good shooter. But also it's who we are as a program. Those are our shots.

Coach Jon Scheyer describes "Duke Shots"

Duke coach Jon Scheyer

Duke freshman guard Jared McCain says transition threes are his favorite shots after he scores 18 points in the Blue Devils' 86-66 win against Syracuse.

You said you were kind of startled when you saw the team hadn't made a three pointer in the first half just a little bit. I, I didn't really take note of it. I wasn't really aware of it. I know I didn't make a three but I was like, oh, I didn't know anyone else miss. I know we got, we got TJ got good looks. I mean, we're getting good looks. It just got knock them down and we were able to do that second half. Why are you guys so much better in the second half in the first? Really? It was just our defense like we came at halftime. He said we gotta be better on defense and I know we got, we started off with a few transition buckets, our transition threes getting flip involved. So I think it was our defense and then having flip in the game without fouling, uh, was huge flip. We heard you guys, we got better tonight. Can you explain that? Oh, yeah, me, me and Jerem are always joking about that. We gotta get better each and every day I saw the best teams win. Um, we talk about that all the time. We joke around with each other. We gotta get better today. Um And we had to today. Uh, well, first getting our first AC C win, that was huge for us who for me and um I think just following the game plan, being able to execute, even if our shots weren't going in early, when you take those transition threes, can you kind of explain what you see as you go up the court? What you're thinking before you actually pull up? Yeah, once we get that outlet, I'm running and I know Reese and JM are looking, flip, flip, everybody's looking. So I'm just running up the court just seeing and then if they play off, I'm definitely shooting it. So is that something that you kind of had to earn the trust of the coaching staff to you or is that something you feel like you're just ready to do day one? Yeah, I mean, coaches told me like, take those, like those are shots that I make, I work on those all the time, like and I just trust my work. So being able to have him, let me shoot those is, I mean, it's amazing for me as a freshman. Um and yes, he gives me the confidence to shoot those huge. Yeah. Yeah, those are probably my favorite shot in basketball, especially when I get to call time out after I get to celebrate the crowd a little bit. Um But yeah, those fair shots. Huh? Um I just enjoy life, man. I, I got gratitude for each and every day. I wake up grateful for each and every day. Uh Grateful I'm alive. I get to play in a Duke uniform like e even if I have a bad game, good game. I'm just never get too high, never get too low. I got literally, I got gratitude for each and every day. I'm excited to be here. Oh yeah. Always, always just trying to bring great energy anywhere I go, smiling, dancing, doing everything I can do. Yeah, I kind of, I mean, after that Georgia Tech game, it kind of, I kind of realized to myself like this is not me, this is not how I play. And uh I had a meeting with coach I, and it was just kinda uh beat me out there. He doubled down on me. He gave me confidence and uh really just to control what I can control. Like I can control my effort. Uh How hard I play, it doesn't matter how many shots I go in, I just control what I can control and then I just move on from there.

Duke's Jared McCain calls transition threes his "favorite shots"

Duke basketball Jared McCain

Duke basketball's Jared McCain against Syracuse on January 2, 2024.

Duke gets first win in conference this season.

Mark Mitchell and Jared McCain boost No. 14 Duke past Syracuse 86-66

Syracuse Duke Basketball

Mark Mitchell scored a career-high 20 points and the Blue Devils rolled past Bucknell 90-60, picking up the pace after second-year coach Jon Scheyer's first technical foul.

Mitchell scores career-best 20 to lead No. 9 Duke past Bucknell 90-60

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Duke freshman guard Jared McCain discusses the Blue Devils first loss of the season in Cameron Indoor Stadium against Arizona, 78-73.

Um first time you, you had a chance to play in a game of top 25 this magnitude. Uh, what, what was your overall experience? What was your main takeaway from just being able to compete in something like this? Yeah, I mean, um, coming into this game, I just wanted to win, like just play, play, play myself. I, I write it down in my journal every day just to be myself, um, blow with energy and just do what I can do the little things and, uh, you know, just couldn't get the win out, but I think we're gonna learn from this, learn from our mistakes. Uh I felt like we were, I mean, just one shot away at that one point. We need to stop just certain little things that we could clean up, obviously, second game of the season. So I think we'll be able to learn from it and then we got to build from it and, um, come back for a good one on, uh Tuesday to play a game this season. It's difficult, but it also feels like you can learn a lot with some of those mistakes that you could I mean, uh, for one, they outrebounded us by 12. Um, so I think they had like 15 offensive rebounds. So with playing with three guards, we have to be able to rebound. Um, so I'm just gonna learn, be able to learn from that and, uh, I gotta start, I gotta rebound even more. Um, I think just defensively just going, I think offensively actually, we played a little, a little selfish here and there. So just cleaning it up and, uh, you know, understanding everybody's role in this team and just coming together as one and, um, to beat teams. How, how did those conversations, um, you know, in the huddle in those time outs as you all were kind of closing out, what were those, like, how would you compare that to what you saw in high school? Yeah, I mean, um, not much, not much different just, you know, telling us what we should do better, what, what we can, uh, improve on. Um, obviously it's a little different with the, with the crazies in the background the whole time. But, um, yeah, not much different from high school. Just, um, yeah, just moving on to the next play at time outs. I'm always kinda, just, kinda trying to center myself and go back to my breathing. Um, so, yeah, just build it from that.

Duke guard Jared McCain: 'I think we're going to learn from our mistakes'

Duke guard Jared McCain vs. Arizona

Duke freshman guard Jared McCain spoke with reporters on Friday about the upcoming 2023-24 season.

I think it will be elite defensively. Just that talking is key. Communication is key, especially switching down screens with other guards or even with flip, we got to know who, who he's guarding. So we might have to switch because it might be a bigger guy and you know, obviously don't want to put me on a bigger person like that. But I think communication is the biggest thing I've learned. Um switching the three guards just this area Durham in North Carolina, you got booed at Walmart you told a story about. Yeah. Um Yeah, the rivalry is definitely, definitely huge out here. Of course, I got the boot in target when I walked in, just getting some toiletries just needed some floss and ski boots. So definitely take some getting used to. But it's been fun like we obviously get cheered when places we go and people will just ask you questions, they just want to talk to you, get to know you and they love, you know, I know during the season there can be some ups and downs. So getting used to that will be tough, especially with the Tik Tok. I know people will be definitely in the comments saying some stuff. So just, just gotta embrace it, you know, that's just who I am. Uh but I love Durham. Durham has been fun to get to know, I, I got my car here so I'm able to drive around and uh get to know Durham a bit embracing that. Um Do you expect to be maybe because of your, your personality to be the center of other teams? hate other fan bases? Get a chance if you Yeah, I, I kind of knew coming into it that especially if you had Duke, which is one of the most hated that you're gonna get hated on, you know, me being on tiktok and having the social media following. I know that other teams fan bases are gonna key in on that, but I'm just being me so I can't, can't listen to other people's opinions you players like your Yeah, definitely JJ Redick and Seth Curry Austin Rivers just been doing my film on that. And um yeah, will send me film on whether it's him or something like that. You know, Johnny Dawkins wore my favorite number 24 but I'd say I'd say JJ Redick probably probably my favorite player. It started in, in uh quarantine when I knew I couldn't be made fun of at school. Uh You know, I was able to, I've always loved dancing since I was a kid like I would, I would just dance whenever. So being at tiktok was on there. I was like, I can do exactly what they're doing with these big followings. So I just started watching dances and learning them and posting them, not really caring what people thought. And then, uh it really started to pop off at Peach Jam when Uib I post them after we won and, you know, thankfully got a will and we won the Peace champ so that it was perfect. It was like a perfect connection to mix the dancing with what I love is basketball. How do you deal with it? It was tough. You know, there was definitely some times during the season where I'm like, why, why am I getting hated on all I'm doing is dancing and smiling and just trying to spread some positivity but they'll find a way to hate and then you got to realize that it's just them projecting their insecurities and them, them wanting what you have. But it's been a humbling experience trying to be humble and stay humble in that and not respond, you know, my family, they're always going to have my back so they want to respond. But I'm like, we just got to stay, stay off of it and just, just continue to do what I love being so cool and laid back like that. How does that translate to the court in the game when you know, when the moment is tough and you make a play? Yeah, I think, I think um I do a lot of meditation. So I think having that, that quietness in the mind when things are crazy and there's people all around screaming. Uh I've been able to calm myself down whether it's doing breathing techniques. So I think it's just in my mind like I, I know what I'm capable of from having a bad game. I know how to be centered with myself and find my breath. It's always been huge for me looking at before. Can you talk a little bit about how it's been getting to know each other off the court? And now let me tell you the freshman four, these are some of my favorite people I've ever met in my life. I love all of them. Uh, we, we, we got here and, you know, I didn't know any of them that well at all and we instantly just connected like those are my best friends and we do everything together, group chat, freshman four. Just know just, you know, he calls the freshman four. His mom actually made some T shirts for us. Um, so yeah, I, I love getting to know him and, uh, we, we do everything together. Yeah, I love playing with them, obviously Sean breaking records TJ TJ Power. He's going to do what he does at 69 and Caleb being able to play with him off the ball and on the ball, I think we compliment each other's game. Very well. So, and just, I think as being best friends, I think translates on the court. I didn't know him at all. I knew Sean a little bit from like team USA and stuff like that. But I didn't really know him at all. So it's TJ. TJ is very low key. So I didn't know him at all. I mean, I went on, I went on two visits and my first one, it was when they played Virginia after and they lost in the game winner. Uh, but so I didn't really get to hang out with the team that much. And then the next time I got to hang out with the team now a little bit, but it still wasn't, you know, I didn't get to, I think it was during season. Don't want to bother him that much. But getting to know Tyrese a little bit more, he was my host. You guys are from two totally different, so to speak. Are there any funny stories or anything that how you guys came together with the cultural differences? I say California. And yeah, I think 11 thing that I've noticed is like my, the language that he uses is I'm, I'm starting to pick up on his and I use it now whether it's like, instead of, I don't even know, like, instead of using like I'll use like, oh, he's likes that just simple things like that. I just picked up on using his little slang and his accent. Um, yeah. No, no, no, no stories. I know right now, Jared. What are the differences between tiktok and? Um, yeah, I think there's a, there's a big difference in terms of, I think just how I approach it. Um tiktok, I'm obviously smiling, laughing, uh positivity and I kind of always on the court. I'm always kind of centered and just kind of quiet. I feel like in my mind, I don't know when I look at my clips, sometimes I am smiling, but in the moment I'm kind of not realizing that. So I think I'm more of a serious person on the court and just kind of focus on my craft. I think I like having that separate, separate, almost separate personalities where I know I can lock in on the court but also have fun off the court. Um Probably I would say probably getting booed and booed in target. I think I was like, wow, I'm really a Duke Bas player and I'm gonna be hated by North Carolina players. No matter what is there a method behind the polish colors? Like when you have one, it's like time to go. It's kind of whatever. I'm feeling like I went, I went to, I went to past week and it was our first official practice coming up and I was like, you know, let's, you know, it's time to lock in. So let's get like, so it's actually it's black but it's kind of in the light, it kind of like a purple i blue vibe. So I wanted to, it was kind of a combination of the lock in with the duke. So, whatever I'm feeling at the salon, I'll just pick the color and it's like your Black Air Force one a little bit, a little bit. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I've always loved uh getting up early, you know, I watch those videos and the CEO S wake up early and uh get the work in Kobe. That's my biggest inspiration. So, um he talks about waking up at 4 a.m. getting four workouts in, I don't know if I could do all that with practice and stuff, but definitely getting up.