What's Your 2023-24 Starting Squad?

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I notice that ESPN's Borzella lists Duke as #1 in his "Way Too Early" top 25 poll. And projects this starting roster. What do you think?

Jeremy Roach (13.6 PPG)​

Tyrese Proctor (9.4 PPG)​

Jared McCain (No. 12 in ESPN 100)​

Mark Mitchell (9.1 PPG)​

Kyle Filipowski (15.1 PPG)​

Way-Too-Early Top 25: Who, finally, is the No. 1 team for 2023-24?

With less than a month to go 'til the season begins, we're calling it: Kansas remains No. 1. The rest of the field sees some swapping around, but no new faces.

www.espn.com

 

[christophero]

If Roach returns
Roach
Proctor
Mitchell
Flip
Young
Could change if Roach leaves or portal 5. Steward replaces Young eventually

 

[sheyduke]

Proctor
Foster
Mitchell
Flip
Young
Roach replaces Foster if he returns .

 

[Blueheart32]

I don’t believe there will be a set starting 5. This team is going to be too versatile. I believe it will be based on matchups. Sometimes starting 3 guards. And I don’t expect Flip to be at the 5 very often. Really depends on if a portal big comes in or not as well.

 

[DanTheDukeFan1982II]

I just don’t see a world where we can start Young and consider ourselves a title contender with zero rim protection. I love Young for what he is, which is buckets off the bench for 10-15 mpg.

2 options: Roach is back, small ball
Proctor
Roach
McCain
Mitchell
Flip

We land a transfer C..
Proctor
Roach/McCain
Mitchell
Flip
Transfer C

 

[orphanduke]

My current hope js

Proctor
Roach
Mitchell
Flip
Transfer C (Aziz Bandaogo pretty please)

Foster
McCain
Power
Stewart
Young

Blakes/Schutt/Reeves

Feel like if Roach returns it may result in one of Foster/Schutt/Blakes leaving

 

[GAAP_rivals]

Need to see who is out with injuries…

 

[sheyduke]

Foster isn’t leaving my money would be on Blakes or Schutt .

 

[Liftee]

I am sorry to say, at this point Steward reminds me of Josh Hairston, great motor but not enough skill. I'm afraid if he starts it's not a good indication.

I think we will bring in a new transfer but if not, it may be Young starting with the hope that Reeves will develop during the season like Mark Williams did at the end of his freshman season.

 

[timo0402]

I am sorry to say, at this point Steward reminds me of Josh Hairston, great motor but not enough skill. I'm afraid if he starts it's not a good indication.

I think we will bring in a new transfer but if not, it may be Young starting with the hope that Reeves will develop during the season like Mark Williams did at the end of his freshman season.

Don’t see the Hairston comp for Stewart at all. Much better athlete, superior size, and his skills now are far above what Hairston has by the time he was a senior.

 

[timo0402]

As for the OP’s question

Proctor
Roach
Mitchell
Flip
Transfer 5

 

[sheyduke]

Have to agree. Don’t really see Hairston in Stewart.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Stewart is far from hairston imo...

 

[Liftee]

I hope you guys are right about Stewart.

 

[christophero]

Steward is listed as a PF. It might be a tall ask of a freshman to man the center spot his first year. Still think we add a portal 5. Add that plus Roach back and that is a team without a big weakness.

 

[timo0402]

STEWART

 

[JimboSlice00]

Proctor
McCain
Mark
Flip
Transfer 5

Like Young as a 15mpg guy, but no way he should start. I'm also SUPER high on Powers and hope he gets serious burn.

 

[christophero]

Comon I'm good for at least one spelling error per day.

 

[AlanInNJ]

When do you guys think we will hear about Roach?

 

[GAAP_rivals]

Comon I'm good for at least one spelling error per day.

Yes, you are.

 

[johnl1219_]

When do you guys think we will hear about Roach?

Not sure if Roach will wait until the May 31st deadline or not, I hope we hear something soon.

 

[christophero]

Looks like he might. When is the combine?

 

[orphanduke]

247Sports Rankings Update

247 Composite
Jared McCain #12 (+4)
Sean Stewart #16 (-1)
Caleb Foster #18 (-1)
TJ Power #19 (+5)

247's Rankings
Jared McCain #13 (+13)
TJ Power #15 (+13)
Sean Stewart #20 (-8)
Caleb Foster #21 (-2)

 

[sheyduke]

Looks like he might. When is the combine?

This month or next . I think it’s in June

 

[orphanduke]

Combine is May 15-21 and The GLeague Elite Camp is May 13-14

Invites have gone out I believe. No clue on if an official list gets released or not

NBA draft combine 2023: A complete tracker of player invitations

The NBA pre-draft process is in full swing as prospects work toward achieving the ultimate goal of hearing their names called by Commissioner Adam Silver on June 22. Reports are beginning to surface of prospects receiving invitations to compete in the draft combine on…

therookiewire.usatoday.com

 

[Fourteen44]

Proctor
Roach
Mitchell
Flip
Riek

 

[christophero]

DBR is discussing the latest academic report for the last 4 years and it isn't good. Especially last year, we were lower than any Duke sport and at the bare minimum to be eligible for the tournament. How times have changed. Hopefully Jon is addressing that. He was a good student.

 

[DanTheDukeFan1982II]

DBR is discussing the latest academic report for the last 4 years and it isn't good. Especially last year, we were lower than any Duke sport and at the bare minimum to be eligible for the tournament. How times have changed. Hopefully Jon is addressing that. He was a good student.

I’d be interested to see how other schools did in regards to the past 4 years too. With the professionalism of college sports (let’s call it what it is) academics seem to not really matter.

I know we have taken some academically questionable kids the past 6-7 years (and for the record, I am all for that, as long as they qualify). Also…I believe Jaylen Johnson just leaving school in January and ending with a 0.0 GPA really brought us down. Of our NBA guys, I do feel Duke does a great job of making sure the guys finish the semester though in May. Other schools: as soon as a guy enters the draft, he’s gone.

I’m in my 40’s and wish I took academics more seriously in HS and college. But, if I was a year away from making millions of dollars, I wouldn’t care at all if I got a D or an A in Biology.

 

[christophero]

The flip side of that is if it weren't for some of our bench transfers it would be far worse.

 

[Duke Bluu]

Proctor
Roach
Mitchell
Filipowski
Bandaogo

 

[Mac9192]

DBR is discussing the latest academic report for the last 4 years and it isn't good. Especially last year, we were lower than any Duke sport and at the bare minimum to be eligible for the tournament. How times have changed. Hopefully Jon is addressing that. He was a good student.

Unfortunately, there's not too much for Jon to address. The only thing college about it anymore is the name on the jersey. It's win now, and win at almost any cost.
The thing for the coaches is to keep their kids out of trouble.

 

[christophero]

The worst year was the 2022 final four year.

 

[sheyduke]

Yes but like stated, when you got kids thinking about money what’s academics have to do with much of anything ?

We all knew who was leaving last year .I don’t think maintaining straight A’s was on their mind .

 

[hart2chesson]

The worst year was the 2022 final four year.

It was, and I am sorry perhaps the best coach ever went out that way. Still, you can't deny K's legacy. He made DUKE BASKETBALL the most visible, loved/hated brand in college hoops,is winningest coach, and of course led us to those five nattys.

Nonetheless the timing of the baton hand off from K to Scheyer was perfect. Jon breathed new life into the program with his sheer enthusiasm, 10 game winning streak and rookie year ACC TITLE!!!

Sorry for the rant, and certainly didn't mean to sabotage the thread. I like the line-up of @Duke Blu if Jeremy returns.

OFC

 

[christophero]

Roach returning would answer a lot of questions for us. Something that could really drive team GPA down is if guys stopped going to class to prepare for the draft. Not saying it happened at Duke, but it definitely happens at other schools.

 

[sheyduke]

Roach returning would answer a lot of questions for us. Something that could really drive team GPA down is if guys stopped going to class to prepare for the draft. Not saying it happened at Duke, but it definitely happens at other schools.

What Questions does Roach answer if he returns ? You got me lost on this one Chris . Only thing he answers is which of Blakes or Schutt leaves . Really already know what we are getting out of Roach . Really think even when he returns this is Proctors team .

 

[christophero]

Well a 15ppg scorer, senior captain, go to guy. Been to the final four. Why would we need that?

 

[hart2chesson]

What Questions does Roach answer if he returns ? You got me lost on this one Chris . Only thing he answers is which of Blakes or Schutt leaves . Really already know what we are getting out of Roach . Really think even when he returns this is Proctors team .

I do think Proctor will be the premier Duke guard, regardless if Jeremy returns. The glimpses of future he showed at the end of the UT loss underscored his budding greatness.

I see Jeremy in a Quinn role, and nothing wrong with that!!! He would still do plenty to help perhaps lead us to a title. Only worry is a transfer. I am still high on Schutt- would hate to see him leave. OFC

 

[orphanduke]

Question for folks. If Roach returns, are you okay with the tradeoff of potentially losing one of McCain/Foster? I'm not saying that's for sure going to happen, but just throwing out the scenario and seeing what everyone thinks. It'd be a lot of backcourt mouths to feed

IMO I'd be fine with it. Having a senior captain like Roach would be super great.

 

[Duke Bluu]

What Questions does Roach answer if he returns ? You got me lost on this one Chris . Only thing he answers is which of Blakes or Schutt leaves . Really already know what we are getting out of Roach . Really think even when he returns this is Proctors team .

Clutch shooter. Roach has hit some clutch shots in tournament play. The Final Four run and the ACC tournament last year. BIG shots in pressure situations. As it stands, without him, who else has shown we can give them the ball tied or down one possession, and is not only willing but able to cash in? I feel you need that for a title run generally. Preferably from the guard position.