Feb. 6
Duke's Dahntay Jones is beginning to become a big-time player.

	Duke's Dahntay Jones averages 12.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg.

Early in the season, the 6-foot-6 forward had to shake off the rust. It took Jones a while to get it going after sitting out a year following his transfer from Rutgers. Getting the timing back -- plus adjusting to a new system and different teammates as well as the environment and expectations at Cameron Indoor Stadium -- is difficult.

Sometimes it takes a while to get used to being the fourth or fifth option in an offense after previously being the first option. At Rutgers, Jones averaged 16 ppg as a sophomore before opting to transfer. He scored 20 or more points seven times during his final season with the Scarlet Knights.

Jones was only the second player to transfer to Duke under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The other was Roshown McLeod in 1995, who also came from the Big East. He went from St. John's to Cameron Indoor Stadium and then to the first round of the NBA draft.

Why did Jones end up with the Dukies? Duke All-American Jason Williams told Coach K, hey, my buddy can flat-out play! The two former Jersey prep stars work well together. Williams is from Plainfield, N.J., while Jones hails from Trenton. And it looks like Williams was right, baby!

Jones started by showing off his talent as a defender. Just look at what he did against Maryland's Juan Dixon. People knew he was capable on the defensive end. Jones is an athletic performer with great quickness and explosiveness. He's capable of dunking with authority and getting the crowd into the game.

Duke has three potential All-Americans in Williams, Mike Dunleavy and Carlos Boozer. Coach K added Chris Duhon last season and now Jones this season -- so Duke is a team with five major weapons. Jones is also stepping up as a scoring threat for the Blue Devils (12.2 ppg plus 4.4 rpg). He's another reason why Duke is the favorite to cut down the nets in Atlanta.