Much different game if...

[TheWyldKat_rivals45219]

If we just played decent, not great, but decent defense it is a much different game. Even though our offense was not fantastic, it was still decent. We just played terrible, I mean absolutely terrible on defense. No communication, no rotating, low energy. Duke was getting anything they want it in the paint, also getting open threes.

I do feel better after getting to sleep on this LOL. I do think we can make some adjustments on defense and become a vastly improved team.

 

[STL_Cat]

There's no doubt we're going to improve. We've got a good group of players and they're going to get better. I think most of the reaction, at least from my perspective, was sort of shock and awe of the talent gap between us and Duke. Stunning to see.

 

[Magnum45]

If we played someone else

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

There's no doubt we're going to improve. We've got a good group of players and they're going to get better. I think most of the reaction, at least from my perspective, was sort of shock and awe of the talent gap between us and Duke. Stunning to see.

The talent gap is real and will not go away magically even as our players develop this year. Learning to play defense will make a big difference but this talent differential will still remain. We may be out talented by other teams as well. Our guards do not look elite at all so far. Sucks, but it's the truth.

 

[STL_Cat]

The talent gap is real and will not go away magically even as our players develop this year. Learning to play defense will make a big difference but this talent differential will still remain. We may be out talented by other teams as well. Our guards do not look elite at all so far. Sucks, but it's the truth.

It was said by the OP in another thread and I agree with. Quickley is just a guy, Hagans is just a guy, and Green is just a guy. We simply don’t have an elite point guard on the roster.

 

[Trinity45]

If we just played decent, not great, but decent defense it is a much different game. Even though our offense was not fantastic, it was still decent. We just played terrible, I mean absolutely terrible on defense. No communication, no rotating, low energy. Duke was getting anything they want it in the paint, also getting open threes.

I do feel better after getting to sleep on this LOL. I do think we can make some adjustments on defense and become a vastly improved team.

Face it Cal's teams always struggle with defense early on and even later unless he has an eraser on the back line. I don't know if they do not spend much time on defense or what but over the last 4 or 5 years our guards look more like matadors.

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

Ironically, so many of the "Experts" here were suggesting before we ever faced Duke that their weakness would be at point guard.

 

[lovecoal]

If our guys played defense instead they were standing around trying to get Zions autograph I believe they were in awe like a lot of us were

 

[STL_Cat]

Ironically, so many of the "Experts" here were suggesting before we ever faced Duke that their weakness would be at point guard.

Which I think is still true. However, they’re so immensely talented at the other positions, they don’t need their PG to be great. Sort of like us with Teague in 2011-2012.

 

[Bluesnky]

Best case scenario is this team is like 2016-2017, in that Cal realizes he needs to make an adjustment to a more of a half-court game and not just try to run up and down the court in the belief that no one can keep up. The good news is that adjustment wasn’t made until January that season, but the need for an adjustment is evident in early November this year.

 

[BlueBlood66_rivals34314]

Which I think is still true. However, they’re so immensely talented at the other positions, they don’t need their PG to be great. Sort of like us with Teague in 2011-2012.

I wouldn’t say Duke’s weakness is at the PG position at all. Jones is clearly not at the level of talent as their wings but he’s exactly the PG they need. He’ll control the offense, push the pace the way they need it, distribute and take care of the ball.

To me it would be a bigger weakness if he were the type of guard to go off and try and take 15 shots a game. They don’t need him taking shots.

Through the exhibition games and UK he has 25 assists and only 4 turnovers.

 

[STL_Cat]

I wouldn’t say Duke’s weakness is at the PG position at all. Jones is clearly not at the level of talent as their wings but he’s exactly the PG they need. He’ll control the offense, push the pace the way they need it, distribute and take care of the ball.

To me it would be a bigger weakness if he were the type of guard to go off and try and take 15 shots a game. They don’t need him taking shots.

Through the exhibition games and UK he has 25 assists and only 4 turnovers.

That’s a fair point. I suppose it’s all relative. I meant their weakness compared to the other positions on the floor. He and Bolden aren’t close to the level of the other 3 guys. But who is?

 

[502 Wildcat]

I think if PJ hits that open three on the first possession the game is different. Not saying we would have won, but that would have erupted the entire arena and gave the team a boost right out of the gate.

 

[Burly]

I agree we are very average at point guard - Just have bodies

 

[MarvinHagler89]

No way!?!?!? Had we played decent it would of been closer??? Wow mind blown.

 

[Calsthebomb]

Maybe would've only lost by 15 if we had played good.

 

[Calsthebomb]

I think if PJ hits that open three on the first possession the game is different. Not saying we would have won, but that would have erupted the entire arena and gave the team a boost right out of the gate.

The real question is why in the hell is PJ jacking threes? If he does that all year we're in trouble.

 

[Blueblood410]

If Quade and Herro had cut down on the quick, stupid shots, and we cut down on the lazy passes, it’s maybe a 5 point game at half. Duke got a lot of transition off quick shots and turnovers.

 

[Catzman]

Defense would help yes but at what point, what can you do? How can 6'3 guards guard ultra athletic and long and SUPER skilled players are are all 5 to 6 inches taller AND more athletic? How is PJ supposed to be strong enough or Travis mobile enough to guard Williamson? That's a question that Cal will have the answer to as the season goes on. Looking back, this was always a match up that Duke had the leg up on. They had the superior size and athleticism where it mattered. Just like when 6'2 Briscoe couldn't guard UNCs 6'8 Justin Jackson, but worse because there was more than 1 bad match up. This was a learning experience in the worst way possible. I trust if we face them again 5 months from now, Cal and the players will be better prepared.

We got beaten by UCLA and Lonzo Ball in our house in a game where we couldn't stop Leaf or Ball. Come the end of the year, we got our revenge and neither of them could stop Fox who almost went for 40. Not a complete apples to apples comparison due to score and playing at home vs on the road, but you get the point. Losing now doesn't mean we'll lose 5 months from now.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The real question is why in the hell is PJ jacking threes? If he does that all year we're in trouble.

Well now, he's got to impress NBA scouts this year, doesn't he. He's got to show he can hit jumpers. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. I just hope Cal tries to get the players to play to win rather than to impress scouts. We might see this from PJ all season, but I hope not.

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

Our defensive lateral movement looked amazingly slow. Duke beat us repeatedly with the first step. Our D will improve. Duke won't shoot the ball nearly that well all season.