Catching Up With David McClure

I was very satisfied with how the team played, as well as how I played last week.

It is good. I have been taking some Advil & putting some ice on it as much as I can. It is still a little swollen, but not anywhere near as much as it was a few days ago.

We had practice today, but I didn't go very hard on it. I just kind of ran through some plays & stuff. The doctor in North Carolina said that I could play through it & that there was no chance of doing anymore damage. I just have to deal with it & play through the pain.

BDP: It looks like you have built up a little since the TOC last spring. Is that a result of putting the weight back on after your bout with mono, or have you been lifting weight?

I was down around 190 lbs. when I came back after the mono. I am around 212 right now. I want to be around 215. Before the season started I was lifting about 4 times a week. Now I am lifting around 2 times a week.

BDP: I know Coach K saw a couple of your games last week, did he have any comments or advice for you?

He was real pleased with the way that I played. He said that I have gotten a lot better. He did say that one thing he wanted me to work on was not to pick up silly fouls. He said that I was going to have to be in a lot of games & if I make a mistake, I can't try to make up for it & end up committing a silly foul.

BDP: You did a real good job on Cedric Simmons in the game against West Brunswick. Have you ever been matched up with a guy that big before?

I have been matched up with guys that big, but not that talented. The only guy that I have matched up with before who is similar would be last year when we scrimmaged St. Anthony's & I played against Terrence Roberts, who is now at Syracuse. But Simmons is definitely the best that I have played. He blocked a couple of my shots, but it was from the weak side.

BDP: You showed a lot of leadership on the court & was talking to your teammates a lot on the court at the Glaxo. Did Coach K have any comments about those traits about your game?

He was really impressed. He said that during my years at Duke I am going to be expected to be a leader.

BDP: Did you or your team participate in any activities with the Duke team or the staff while you were in North Carolina?

We practiced before them one day & then we stayed around & watched them practice. Then after our championship game Shavlik came by & we ended up going back to his house & hanging out a little bit. I also talked to JJ & Luol in the locker room a little bit.

JJ & Shavlik. I roomed with those 2 guy during my visit & I met JJ's parents when I was down there.

BDP: Did you get a chance to hang out with Demarcus Nelson while you guys were in town?

BDP: Do you have any plans to attend summer school at Duke this year?

Yea, I think I am going to head down to Duke in June & attend summer school & get acclimated.

Man, that was cool. I was watching the beginning of it. It was 22-11 when I left the house to go referee a little kids basketball game. All the parents were coming up to me saying, "Hey Dave, your girls are getting killed". I didn't even find out that they won until this morning.