Developing a bench is an area Jon could work on. I get it's hard, but that is part of his job. Harris always had the quick hook and Wilkens was redshirted and could have provided more depth up front. We always have injuries so that should be baked into the plan every year. We had a great year; it just sucks that the college basketball world is laughing at Duke right now. Sports can be cruel as elite eight is a very good season for anyone.
If Jon gave you…
- Thread starter pisgah101
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I think the bench thing is interesting. We all say it and always will but who actually uses a bench beyond (maybe) 8 guys in crunch time
I believe Scheyer has consistently played at minimum 8-9 guys/season since he's been Leading the Blue Devils. The 2024-2025 Team was 11 Deep with Harris being the 11th man.
losing is losing and it will always suck to lose. Something I do enjoy about Scheyer's Teams is that they Always Fight until the end, I haven't recalled any of his teams getting blown out in any game to this point. Scheyer's Teams just Need 2 Develop The Killer Mentality.
losing is losing and it will always suck to lose. Something I do enjoy about Scheyer's Teams is that they Always Fight until the end, I haven't recalled any of his teams getting blown out in any game to this point. Scheyer's Teams just Need 2 Develop The Killer Mentality.
We got hit with injuries at the absolute worst time. Foster used up his good game vs St John’s. The kid was just too sore. I also think Ngongba’s injury was a little more than we were told.
Add in Evans having a game where he was almost nonexistent. Your second leading scorer has to take more than six shots. Quite a few more.
Add in Evans having a game where he was almost nonexistent. Your second leading scorer has to take more than six shots. Quite a few more.
Agree injuries hit us at the worst time.
Foster was used up too much vs St John's but we didn't have a choice.
Duke's IG page showed that Pat had a fracture then the post was taken down. Whether he had a fracture or not, I believe it was definitely more than just a sore foot.
I think Evans was gassed vs St John's. Not only he took 6 shots, he only played 29 minutes. The way UConn runs their offense, it wears you down.
The NCAA committee didn't do us any favors having us play 2 possible big east games back to back. The physicality of St John'sAnd constant pressure wore us out. I think we would've still had to play the perfect game to beat either Michigan or Arizona if we advanced even if we were healthy. Arizona is just really deep and their bench guys are really good and would be starters for almost any other team
you sure can if the student athlete puts the "WE" before the "ME"
100%. Both Awaka and Dell'orso were both starters last year for Arizona. And not only did they take a back seat, they took a back seat to freshman (Koa Peat and Kharchenkov)
Stay off the webs. Seriously, what's there to laugh at? I'm trying to have some perspective here, now that the sick stunning feeling that I had for about 24 hours has passed. Duke is the most consistently great program in the college game since the 90s and it's not really close... maybe Kansas can stake a claim but no one else is close.
UNC has had some ridiculously bad years, KY?? I mean talk about a program to laugh at. They have two titles since the stone age and haven't been back to the final 4 since 15. Kansas has been consistently good like Duke, but Duke still has the better resume and brand. The only program who has had more title success is UConn, but they've had so many non-competitive years pre-Hurley. I think someone else said it already, when you are almost always a top 2 seed in the tourney every year, every loss is going to seem like an upset.
They should have won last year. No doubt. 22?? I mean going into the tourney I didn't think they would make the elite 8, much less a final 4. Once they got there, yeah, I thought they'd pull it off, but UNC was on a massive heater and had talent. They just stunk it up all year. Coming into this year, most didn't see anything close to the success they had.
I thought Jon would have added from the portal this year and was surprised he didn't. But he believed in his players, which we've all clamored for as K always "seemed" to recruit over a lot of guys. And he developed them. Look at how Evans game evolved, Pat was very good this year, Sarr got a lot better, Nik got a lot better.
One thing I'd like to see is a lean more to guard play than 3/4s. The last two years, Duke seemingly got the ball stripped from their hands repeatedly and it was usually a forward or SG being stripped. It cost them a title last year (Proctor fumbling the ball away going to the hoop amongst other mistakes) and then this year against Uconn they were stripped or lost the ball going downhill several times.
Rippey, CFos, Howard and CB are a solid trio of guards. And 3 of them (haven't seen much of Howard) can absolutely break down their man and get to the rim in different ways - Rippey pure speed and athleticism, Foster quickness and strength, and CB strength. Would like a bouncy 5 who can flush alley oops, rebound and block shots. Pair that with Nik and a couple of shooters and let's see what he can do.
Howard is really a 3 . He will more likely play sg at Duke but his skill set is defense . Think Sarr but more offensive advanced than Sarr.
I think Duke adds at least two more bigs but the bench has got to step up . Arizona can run you out the building because their bench scores and defends when they get in . Duke’s bench did play defense but until Cayden came on Evans was the only real second scoring threat . IF Duke can regain at least Foster, Cayden , Khamenia and Big Pat . That’s a lot of two way ball to go along with some scorers . I just think the 3 point shooting still won’t be there.
I think Duke adds at least two more bigs but the bench has got to step up . Arizona can run you out the building because their bench scores and defends when they get in . Duke’s bench did play defense but until Cayden came on Evans was the only real second scoring threat . IF Duke can regain at least Foster, Cayden , Khamenia and Big Pat . That’s a lot of two way ball to go along with some scorers . I just think the 3 point shooting still won’t be there.
Sarr posted a pic today of him walking off the court with a blue heart emoji. Make of that what you will. Looked to me like a goodbye.
I want Sarr back but I bet he was pricey and that money could be repurposed towards a more established wing.
I think he’s gone only thing that would surprise me is if he came back.
If he leaves he’s costing himself a lot. He’s not ready
I’m watching the final four, even though it’s hard to. I despise UConn, but Hurley trusts multiple guys, and they can all contribute. Right now they have four guys that have scored double figures, and one more with 9.
We ride our horse, then beg for someone else to step up.
Yes I'm still salty.
We ride our horse, then beg for someone else to step up.
Yes I'm still salty.
I’m with you Mac. Say what you want but his bench stepped up and he got to rest all his starters .
Just so hard to beat UConn in the tourney smh. Let's hope either Michigan or Zona beats them
you have to beat UCONN, they dont give you anything. Rebounding, easy shots, turnovers etc..and at the end of the game they tighten up..love him or hate him, his teams are ready at the end of tight games. Illinois had some bad bounces for sure but keeping them under 65 was the major factor in the win
I’m gonna be honest , watching this game and seeing UCONN in foul trouble but no one fouled out is crazy . 1-9 they keep coming at you .Hurley is surely selling his success to recruits as well .
He's the perfect blend of crazy, intelligent, and caring. Every other fan base despises him, but the reality is it's because he's so freaking good.
I hate him because he's a classless prick.
I can't argue with you about him being a classless prick. But his players seem to love him and they win. And believe me, I hope they get ran out of the gym Monday night, but I wouldn't bet on it.
They can love him all they want. I hate him and uconn with every fiber of my being.
Like it or not he's on a K like run. Gotta tip your hat, unless you're Bleed whose like that sniper shooting at oil cans in the Jerk lol.
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M. Emmett Walsh was a great character actor. Love that movie. And yes, Dan Hurley can **** himself. He's a piece of ****.
I hope whoever wins destroys Uconn. But I'm afraid they're about to get their third title that should've been ours, and I cannot stomach this.
Smh. Michigan leading buy a dozen but Yaxel looks injured. Going to set up perfectly for UConn isn't it?
Yeah this one was the beginning of the end. Losing Pat changed everything and he most certainly had more than a sore foot. One of the frustrating parts about being a true fan is the lack of true information we get about these information.
I know some red rose pumpers will say the staff doesn’t owe the fans the information and that may be true but it’s super frustrating. Just tell us he fractured his foot and it will be a few weeks.
Howard’s natural position is SG. I’ve seen a lot of him and he’s going to be really good. He’s 6’4 which is perfect size for a SG but undersized for a 3