Guys, the reason for these struggles aren't rocket science.
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We've got pretty good players who are highly likely to be on campus next season. The current HS class is pretty bad.
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We are Duke fans first, and college basketball fans second. HS recruits, especially the top 50-100, are far more interested in NBA hoops. It isn't until late in their junior year, or even later, that they seriously look at college rosters. And a close look at Duke would scare some folks.
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Are Brian Antoine or James or Moore better than AOC, Baker, and White? Who knows? Frankly, I think that a junior AOC is far and away the best player from that group. Baker might be pretty good after this upcoming year his own self. I think White is further behind, but will do a lot of the "little" things that will increase his value. So, of the 6 wings I listed, it is possible that we'll have the 2 best, and certainly 2 of the top 4, with our 2 already having year(s) of experience. Can't you all see why Antoine and James would be wary of that? They see themselves as OAD candidates, and at Duke there is a good chance they don't start. Further, I imagine that Duke (and Clemson) were wary of making James the starting PG, and UT wasn't.
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As for bigs, seniors Bolden and Javin would loom large. Stewart and Hurt are no sure thing to start over either of our bigs. Stewart, as a frosh, is likely a rich man's version of Javin, being good at D and rebounding, but not that offensively gifted. But Javin will be a senior, and might be very effective. Certainly enough to give Stewart pause. Hurt is a gifted offensive player, no doubt, but that is less and less essential in bigs. He does have that face up ability, but he's likely to be a minus defender and rebounder initially. Again, he might not start at Duke. He could be a multi year player (he's so skinny), but there are programs where he could do that and start for 2 years. At the least, supposing that Stewart and/or Hurt come here and start, they'd be pushed for time.
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Carey and Anthony would start, but they'd be worried about their roles.
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If the road to PT looks clear in the spring, Carey would sign up.
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As for Anthony, we are spending more time on him now than we were spending on Trevon Duval at the same point of their HS careers. If Tre Jones leaves (an occurrence that probably would only happen if we at least go to the FF), Duke would have a glaring hole at the PG slot, surrounded by talented wings and Fs. Such a season would probably open up one of the big man positions, attracting Carey.
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While we aren't aggressive in pursuit of Anthony right now, he's a very pragmatic young man. If Duke is a great landing spot come May, he might come here. If Tre is still here, Anthony won't consider us, an it won't matter.