We are more than six deep this year. K will probably play 7 to 8 guys which is ideal. Duval is great but he has issues shooting from the outside and is prone to turnovers.
Tucker or Alex O will get some minutes.
Coach K Presser After Scrimmage....
- Thread starter dukiejay
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We are more than six deep this year. K will probably play 7 to 8 guys which is ideal. Duval is great but he has issues shooting from the outside and is prone to turnovers.
Tucker or Alex O will get some minutes.
Amile was a decent defender but he couldn't defend bigger power forwards or centers. We had no rim protection and Kennard, injured Allen and Jackson all sucked on defense along the perimeter. Giles wasn't healthy and had zero lateral quickness.
This year we have Cater Jr and Bagely they will eat rebounds and protect the rim. Tent Jr is a good two way defender and Duval is great on defense. Javin is also a great rebounder.
Two completely different teams.
Consistently 9? I’d be super shocked. With good players on the bench we rarely go 9 deep and K has maintained in his career that 7 D1 level, talented kids is enough to win. That’s what he’s done more times than not. I’m sure there will be occasional games where 2 of Alex, AV, Jordan T., Jordan G. or Jack will see time, but ultimately 7 guys will carry this team. 7 very capable guys mind you.
Just to temper some expectations after a fun night:
Tre will struggle early on to run this team. I could see 3-4 turnovers a game early and 5 or 6 “what was that?” shots. He’ll finish well, but we’ll have some posters early asking why Tre is viewed as a top 20 pick.
Bolden won’t be super consistent all season.
Jordan G. will make a difference at times and other times he won’t. But I can’t see him totally hurting the team either.
Jordan T. will find it difficult to see the floor this year. He’s a floater who needs others to set him up right now. That’ll change at some point, but probably not this season.
We’ll lose a game or two before December. It doesn’t mean we let the #1 ranking go to our heads (a ranking this team hasn’t earned), and it doesn’t mean we don’t know how to win tough games either. It’s just the product of having a team full of freshmen who aren’t all super talents.
Regardless this team will look better by February and I think, if healthy, we can make some serious noise in the tournament.
This team could play much better defense than any Duke team we’ve seen since 2010. They have the tools, athleticism, length and desire to do so.
is it me or does this team overall look better than last year team. Do we have a weakness? They look like they have been playing together for s while.
I agree. It's more of a complete team. Rebounding and having a true point guard will help this team. Three point shooting could be an issue. We don't have as many redundant players as last year and we are healthy.
It's a unique team that we haven't had in a while. Long, young skilled and talented.
It's a better team than 2015 from a talent perspective.
I didn't say we were six deep I was just adding to an early posters comment about playing six players. I wasn't impressed with Tucker but he's a freshman Goldwire and O'Connell showed defensive grit.
I can't really say they are better than any Duke team. Last year showed us fans a lot but the first real game will be a good judging tool especially against MSU.
I think a lot of people here really discount how good South Carolina was last year and how well they played against us. They were undefeated before their star got suspended and started playing better at some point after getting him back.
The also had a flukey awesome shooting night against us. Yeah, some of that might have been bad D, but a lot of it was shots going down from them that normally don't.
They gave the Zags a really good game even though their star was sick and played poorly. It that happened against Duke, we blow them out. I he was healthy, very good chance they are in the finals.
UNC almost lost a virtual home game to Arkansas. UNC was aided by a horrible call at the end that gave Berry foul shots instead of an offensive foul. In a pro Arkansas arena, that call, right or wrong, probably goes the other way. UNC was a whisker away from going home as early as Duke. Duke lost a road game to a team that just had one of those nights in front of virtual home crowd.
Last year was an anomaly.
The also had a flukey awesome shooting night against us. Yeah, some of that might have been bad D, but a lot of it was shots going down from them that normally don't.
They gave the Zags a really good game even though their star was sick and played poorly. It that happened against Duke, we blow them out. I he was healthy, very good chance they are in the finals.
UNC almost lost a virtual home game to Arkansas. UNC was aided by a horrible call at the end that gave Berry foul shots instead of an offensive foul. In a pro Arkansas arena, that call, right or wrong, probably goes the other way. UNC was a whisker away from going home as early as Duke. Duke lost a road game to a team that just had one of those nights in front of virtual home crowd.
Last year was an anomaly.
When teams get beat by Duke this year, they will feel like a bus ran them over. I just think this team is gonna be mean and nasty.
There is something different about this team. I have not felt this excited about a Duke team in a long time. They don’t even look like freshmen. Maybe I’m over my head now but I’m pumped!
A reason that K will go deeper into the bench this year is his phrase "we intend to push and press" linked with the concept of the opponent perceiving of a smaller gym due to Duke's size. Also, he mentioned that the team was not as good of a shooting team as in the past but would be a scoring team nevertheless due to rebounding and defense. This is a notable shift requiring more bodies.
To me, he opened the curtain a bit to reveal a team philosophy akin to Nolan Richardson's "40 minutes of Hell" approach at Arkansas years ago. K has always stressed D, but this year the emphasis appears to be to want to ride the defense for points, not just stop the other team from scoring.
To me, he opened the curtain a bit to reveal a team philosophy akin to Nolan Richardson's "40 minutes of Hell" approach at Arkansas years ago. K has always stressed D, but this year the emphasis appears to be to want to ride the defense for points, not just stop the other team from scoring.
Good chemistry and healthy are this teams keys to success. In fact that applies for every Duke team but this team is loaded with talent. OFC
Which is what Duke used to be known for. The "D" in Duke stood for Defense!
Wendell has more poise than most seniors. The guy's passing was ridiculous.
I watched the ESPN replay yesterday, and I loved G and Spatola's comments about physical maturity. That's a huge thing for a freshman, and guys like Carter, Trent, Bagley, and Duval are physically ready to play at this level much the way guys like Justise and Jah were.
This team is different and has me pumped for one reason. Even though it was a scrimmage the defense on display was just excellent. I liked how every player was trying to stay infront of their opponent and being men around the rim. Not to mention they were communicating for a bunch of freshman and sophomore's.
I like offense but give me that floor slapping, shot blocking lane denying DUKE defense of old. This team is showing that early
I like offense but give me that floor slapping, shot blocking lane denying DUKE defense of old. This team is showing that early
With a young team with les shooters and mobile bigs, pressing makes a lot of sense. I think a big handicap related to one and dones putting younger guys in lead roles for Duke is worse D. They just don't have the time in K's system. Pressing more often or going zone should help this year's team and their inexperience. Pressing makes you act more and think less. We have the mobile athletic bigs to press. Zone would allow us to use 3 bigs at the same time a little better and would not force Grayson Grayson to defend quicker point guards one on one when Tre is out of the lineup and Goldwire in not used. Zone would also help to keep our guards out of foul trouble. If one of Goldwire, Tucker, O'Connel don't step up, we cannot afford foul trouble with our guards.
Very true Lt, but K and Grayson are the ones that bear the responsibility of that debacle. Their hunger to do better this year is added because of last season, and I think those two won't allow slack or lethargic play from the rest of the team.
I'll be VERY shocked if we lose a game of two
I'll be VERY shocked if we lose a game or two before December.
I'll be VERY shocked if we lose a game or two before December.
Agree.
Well, we could ask why we'd use that 13th scholarship if we're only going to play 12, too; where do we draw the line? Also, what's the sense of playing anyone who isn't prepared to help us win? Development happens in practice first. On the flip side, there are plenty of examples of a short rotation being very, very successful for us, but we only pay attention to that when we lose, and we scapegoat it as if it was K's preference, rather than his best judgment. It's like the idea of how the back-up QB is always the most popular guy in town.
I have no doubt K would greatly prefer to have a rotation of 8 players. That includes years when we only go 6 or 7 deep. He's not going to play an 8th guy just for the sake of it. I want my kids to get dessert b/c they ate their dinner, but there's a standard they have to live up to.
Personally, I'd love to see a rotation of 9. But at what cost? I don't want that 9th guy getting time if he's not ready, and while it makes me nervous, same goes for the 8th guy, maybe even the 7th.
And therein is why we use more scholarships than we might use in a game: Perhaps Goldwire's play in practice earns him game time, but perhaps it manifests itself in preparing Trevon to be more effective in more minutes.
We'll miss Matt and Amile's experience. They had their limitations, but they were at the very least smart defenders and strong communicators, and often enough, really good defenders, period. You did say "could," though, and yeah, I agree that as the season develops, we'll be better and better defensively w/ a reasonable shot at being very formidable.
They were both injured, as were several other key players. Aren't "bear the responsibility" and "debacle" a bit harsh?
Could was the key qualifier. 2015 ended up being a decent defensive team after the inclusion of the zone, but that team was pretty mediocre on defense for much of the season with Justise, Matt, Amile and who we thought at the time may be a rim protector, Jah.
Smart defenders are crucial, smart defenders who are wildly athletic are better. Javin is just that and Gary is on the verge. I don’t think zone will be necessary this season whether K runs it or not.
We have at least 11 guys who can play, with 4 of them going to be productive at least 80% of the time.
Duval, Grayson, Trent, and Bagley are all guaranteed winners.
The 2nd tier for me is:
Carter, O'Connell (not just because of one exhibition game, the kid has awareness). These two will give us a few games where they are not distinguishable from the top tier.
The next tier:
Javin, Bolden, Vrank, Tucker (just need consistent defense, rebounding and high percentage attempts from this group). The one who will get the most minutes will be the one running and fighting the hardest. Shoot when open.
The Goldwire tier:
He's going to be there when Duval needs a blow and when we still want to run.
That probably means it's a 7 or 8 man rotation and 2 guys will be frustrated with their PT. Jack White is not going to play very much. He seems mature enough to just enjoy his role and be a great teammate.
Duval, Grayson, Trent, and Bagley are all guaranteed winners.
The 2nd tier for me is:
Carter, O'Connell (not just because of one exhibition game, the kid has awareness). These two will give us a few games where they are not distinguishable from the top tier.
The next tier:
Javin, Bolden, Vrank, Tucker (just need consistent defense, rebounding and high percentage attempts from this group). The one who will get the most minutes will be the one running and fighting the hardest. Shoot when open.
The Goldwire tier:
He's going to be there when Duval needs a blow and when we still want to run.
That probably means it's a 7 or 8 man rotation and 2 guys will be frustrated with their PT. Jack White is not going to play very much. He seems mature enough to just enjoy his role and be a great teammate.
Indiana at Indiana
The possibility of Florida, Gonzaga, Texas or Butler in the PK80
A veteran, dogged MSU squad
Not saying we’re losing to Furman, but those are 4 tough early season tests for a team that hasn’t established an identity.
I like this. However I would definitely have Carter in the top tier. After watching the scrimmage, he may be our best player. I love his game.
I wasn't even thinking about the PK80. We could but I think we beat the brakes off of MSU
MSU is going to be really good and Bridges is going to be a favorite for POY I’m sure. Early in the season anything can happen but I would think it would be a pretty close game.
No it's not a bit harsh. Who's the coach? Who was the preseason All American?
K is the best, he just wasn't as sharp last season as we needed him to be, nor was Grayson.
That's where they both probably "bear the responsibility," and both of them will drive the team this season.
Think it is going to be a great game but no way do I think we beat the brakes off them.They are very talented and experienced while we will be learning how to pay together.Jmo it is a fifty fifty game
Funny no one was saying this after we were the first team to win the ACC CHAMPIONSHIP in 4 days. Same squad also beat NCAA CHAMPS TWO OUT OF THREE. What happened in THE FIRST WEEKEND can't be blamed on injuries. OFC
I know that K will never go 9 deep but if he would have had that luxury we could possibly have gone much farther in the quick exits from the
NCAA tournament. Especially the last 2 years we have run out of energy towards the end from either tiredness of fouls. My point I was trying to make is that its pretty evident that we do in fact have the horses this year, probably more so than I can ever remember. Did we see any players not playing well at CTC? I didn't but I did see 10 or 11 players that were pretty talented and more than capable of minutes. Depth will not be a shortcoming this year. Thats the point I was trying to make I think. I say that 7 is 1 or 2 short of optimum. We have the talent this year, so let the dogs run.
Wendell is top tier. On any team in the COUNTRY, Wendell is top tier.
One thing I like about Duke CTC is they actually play hard unlike other schools. It's not a dunk contest or layup line. They compete hard like they're playing for minutes
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