OVERACHIEVING WOJO JUST LEADS, WINS

Dateline: LEXINGTON, KY.

Duke's Steve Wojciechowski epitomizes values that have always attracted Americans to sports

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Has there ever been a player in ACC history who ignited more paradoxical fan reactions than Steve Wojciechowski?

If you're a Duke fan, you've probably learned to appreciate Wojo. If your blood runs any other color than royal blue, you probably dislike him.

The Blue Devils' senior point guard epitomizes values that have always attracted Americans to sports - all-out effort, overachievement, unselfishness and intangible qualities. Seldom, if ever, has he taunted an opponent.

Physically, Wojo is a misfit who doesn't excel in any area of the game. At 5-foot-10, he is shorter than most who share his position. He lacks the speed necessary to excel as a one-on-one player or in the transition game. He never has been a particularly accurate shooter. And even in his forte - defense - he can be beaten by quicker ball-handlers.

And yet, as his college career draws to a close, Wojciechowski has become a pivotal player on one of the nation's finest teams - one that is a No. 1 NCAA regional seed with a 30-3 record.

He doesn't do anything well except win.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is the first to acknowledge Wojo's physical shortcomings as well as his most unwavering advocate.

``Wojo is a common man with uncommon competitive and leadership skills,'' Krzyzewski said on Saturday. ``He motors an ordinary body to do extraordinary things.''

Wojciechowski wasn't always so appreciated by his coach and Duke's fans, during his first two college seasons. He couldn't run the break. He couldn't make 35 percent of his shots. His turnovers almost matched his assists. And he was an undistinguished defensive player.

He started 15 games during Duke's horrendous 13-18 season in 1995, when Krzyzewski missed more than half of the season with health problems. And though Duke turned the record around in '96, Wojo started only four games and was even less effective.

Finally, as a junior last season, Wojciechowski won the starting job and improved significantly in all areas while quarterbacking Duke to a first-place finish in the ACC race. But because he had to play a lot of minutes, he wore down at season's end, and Duke made an early exit in the NCAA tournament.

This season, Wojo has continued to improve. He has learned to push the ball up the floor. He has hurt opponents with timely 3-point shots. He is a relentless defensive player. But his major contribution has been to lead a young team into national contention.

``When I came back for my senior season, I felt secure in who I was,'' Wojo says. ``I had experienced a lot in my career - both good and bad. By relating that experience to our younger guys, I could become a better leader. Now I try to think about 'we,' not 'me'.''

Much of it is leadership by example. Younger teammates who see how hard Wojo works in practice every day and how much effort he expends in games have tried to emulate his habits. The results have been a 30-3 record and a shot at an NCAA championship.

``Steve has made my transition from high school to college smoother,'' Blue Devil freshman Shane Battier said on Saturday. ``He's showed us the ropes - how to conduct ourselves on and off the court.

``If there was ever a question as to the kind of competitor, the warrior he is, look at last week at the ACC Tournament. He was sick all week, but he gave all he had to the point of collapsing when the final game was over.''

Duke assistant coach and former Blue Devil player Quin Snyder offered another take on Wojo. ``When you peel away his layers, you find the commitment and character that coaches talk about but seldom pinpoint,'' Snyder said.

Opposing coaches seem no less impressed by the value of Wojo's presence, if not his talent.

``He's the kind of player we all want to coach,'' said Oklahoma State's Eddie Sutton, who will carry more than 600 career victories into today's game against Duke.

``He's a tough, tough customer. It's hard to gauge how much value he brings to a ball club.''

No one has learned to appreciate Wojciechowski's contributions more than his own coach.

``Steve is as valuable as anyone on our team,'' the Duke coach says. ``How many guys go from bench warmers to MVPs? You couldn't ask any more from a kid. There aren't any stats to gauge his value. ``He sets the tone for the character of our team. His intangibles make everybody else better. It's those leadership qualities that make him a unique player.''

So love him or hate him, appreciate him or not. Both Wojo and Krzyzewski say it doesn't matter.

``It doesn't bother me a bit when I get booed,'' Wojo said. ``I'm going to play aggressively because that's how I feel I have to play to help us win games.''

Adds Krzyzewski: ``I honestly think Steve likes it when they boo because it probably means he's helping us win another game.''

Don't look for Wojo in the NBA next year. He may not be in any pro league. But don't be surprised to see him on the sidelines in a coaching role.

``I'm trying to go out on a high note in the NCAA tournament,'' Wojciechowski said. ``I haven't thought much beyond that. I'll just let my future fall into place. I have a definite interest in coaching - helping other kids go through some of the same things I have.''

Krzyzewski says Wojo can have a job on his staff as soon as there's a vacancy.

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