Just wanted to drop by and say hello to all my Duke friends. Hope all is well with everyone and you are enjoying the Holiday season with loved ones! I also hope that you will stay behind our Blue Devils, including Coach Sheyer and his staff. I think they are all doing a great job and improving with each game. Hope you folks will just enjoy your team for who they are and not worry about what we cannot control. Just live for the moment and be glad you have a Coach that does a great job and a team that is finding its way.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all and remember "IT'S GONNA BE OK!!"
May your pleasures be many and your troubles be few!

God Bless - OFC

📍 Madison Square Garden
🕰️ 7:00
📺 ESPN


Duke comes in off another mini break to play Baylor a team that was just trounced by our buddy MSU.. I’d be lying if I didn’t say this one has lost some of its luster after Baylor took that big time L. Still a great opportunity for us to get a W against a top ten team though!

Baylor comes in with only the one L on the season, they don’t seem to have played the toughest of schedules but with Scott Drew one of the best in the game at this point we know to expect an athletic team that’ll give us 40 min

I expect a W tonight.. something just “feels” right about it

Duke- 90
Baylor-75

Is he still around? I haven’t seen him post recently. Hope he’s ok.

Great and at times frustrating games. All credit to Baylor on their play. They took a good punch to the gut in our opening and responded with a toughness they did not have against Michigan State.

Roach was awesome especially near the end and McCain is looking really good. He is, IMO, benefiting the most from Proctors absence. Foster and Mitchell are also stepping up and while Flip may not have been the scorer we would like his assists, rebounds and steals helped the team immensely.

Full slate of hardworking guys to be mentioned in the poll this time.

But...

Sometimes it is not about the player of the whole game (best stats, etc.) but the guy that gives you that needed push at just the right time. The guy that defies expectations and leads the team to victory.

Goldwire in the Louisville game is a great example, and I felt Ryan Young this game was the reason we won.

Yea he was hated by many of us, but RIP Big E, fly high.

Rivalry or no rivalry, I hate to see anyone pass from cancer.

Firing up the thread for this one before the preview is ready ...

Programming note: We'll have stringer coverage for this game, Michael Lewis, who has helped in past years with Duke's annual NYC games.

Story alert: Wrote a little something on Mark Mitchell finding ways to be effective while not hitting 3s.

You are soft! All your shit talking about the regular folk that was in the section were Duke fans before your daddy ever thought about sleeping with your momma. Most of us in that section last night have been around for all 5 banners. We remember what it was like when the Crazies were really the Crazies. I saw about 25 people in the small area of Sec 17 last night looking at Snapchat, scrolling IG and making Tik Toks. I think there are some former students or current students in here. The old school students should reply give a lesson to the current students. The eye rolls, shit talking to your friends about us old folks being in your section…again I was a fan long before you were. My son who is the same age as some of you has been a fan longer than you. I felt the energy leave Sec 17 last night as soon as Duke went down by 5. The old Crazies would have gotten even louder. Instead, you resort to taking pics mid game, started making Tik Toks, and posting a story for your IG feed. I’m sure this will get flagged or removed but sorry your cheers are weak and you are lame ass “fans.”

Also…how in the literal are the 50 some opposing gams louder than an entire section of so called “crazies.” Take your pics during warmups and give your ticket to a real fan not so you gain 5 followers on your Tik Tok.

Prayers for his family and friends. 52 is way too young.

We look back at the last two games, what we liked, what changes were made, stock market on TJ, Stewart, and Mitchell, the Roach/Cook comparison, and Baylor preview. Enjoy!

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

So was out with the wife Christmas shopping. Was standing outside as a gentleman held the door for a person wearing a UNC hoodie. The person said thank you and the gentleman said anytime for a Carolina fan. I was so happy that the Christmas spirit was in full effect and they spared the Carolina fan the struggle of the push/pull sign.

I am particularly interested in mock drafts, especially our guys and who may stay or go. I am starting to think Mitchell could come back. I left out international and G League guys and some college guys.
5. JaKobe Walter, Baylor. We will get a good look at him soon. (wing)
6. Isaiah Collier PG USC
7. Rob Dillingham PG Kentucky
8. Stephon Castle G UConn
10. Flip (he is usually listed between 10-20.)
11. Donovan Clingan U Conn C
14 Reed Sheppard Kentucky
15 Ryan Dunn F Virginia
19. Bronny James USC
21. Justin Edwards Kentucky
22. Aday Mara C UCLA
23 DJ Wagner Kentucky G
24. Kobe Johnson USC wing
25. Wooga Poplar Miami wing
27 Proctor (is he sliding?) he is higher on other mocks
No McCain; but I think he will slip into the later first round.
The thing that jumps out at me is Kentucky and USC each have 3 guys. Kentucky may have 4 now that Bradshaw is back. That is a lot of talent. If McCain makes it we will have 3 as well. U Conn has 2 of the top 11.

Our best looking game offensively IMO.

Defense was not quite as bad in first half as they were implying By my view. There were definite problems but it was exaggerated because in addition to the admittedly too many open shots we gave up there were also some very well contested shots that were falling.

Anyway Scgeyer righted the ship and player decision making was much better.

Filipowski is the obvious choice stats wise - but Roach, Blakes or Mitchell are also good choices with really good play.

Got a good game from all our starters.

⏰ 7
📍 cameron
📺 ESPN2

Game day! Against the mighty pride of Hofstra coming in at 6-3

Coaches by second year coach Speedy Claxton the pride comes in looking for a signature win.. could this be it??

I think we struggle, Hofstra seems solid and better than GT….

Duke- 77
Hofstra- 72

“We have a week of practice. We have to stick together. We’ve got to get together even closer. As a coaching staff, there are some things we have to look at and probably make some changes.”

My guess:

The team that finished is who starts:

7’0 Flip
6’9 Mitchell
6’9 Power
6’5 Foster (until Proctor returns)
6’0 Roach

I am guessing (hoping) thats the change. Back to a two guard lineup. Aside from the dumb technical, Mitchell looked very good later in the game with Power with him. Young’s minutes will go down, only spelling Flip. Stewart will spell Mitchell and Power. Foster and MCCain will spell Roach and Proctor (when he returns).

Duke will go on a run with roles clearly defined in my opinion.

This is the way.

Preview for tomorrow night's game.

Programming note: I'll be there with full coverage.

Predictions:

- Kyle Filipowski has at least 20 points.

- Hofstra's Tyler Thomas scores at least 25, but needs at least 20 shots to get it.

- Duke puts together a second straight game with decent ball movement, at least 60% assist rate.

Did not get to watch the game until late.

The game did not feel like a 20+ point victory.

It felt very workman like - which is not a bad thing.

Loved seeing Mitchell, Blakes and McCain take some steps forward. Proctor being out a bit may be a good thing for us in the long run as others step up.

Going to get this one going a little early with a 215 tip..

⏰ 215
📺 The CW
📍 Cameron Indoor

After a week break duke comes back to the court against the 49ers of Charlotte

Charlotte is coached by first year head coach Aaron Fearne.. prior to this he was the associate head coach for Charlotte then previously in Australia.

It’s weird to call a game against Charlotte important but it is.. if we look like we did last week this board will be on fire tomorrow. Jon needs to step up quick let’s hope it starts this satuday

Duke-77
Charlotte-63

Firing up the game thread a few days early to get an update on Tyrese Protor in here.

From Steve Wiseman:

Login to view embedded media

Insanity. Alabama in, FSU out. Money and corruption officially own collegiate football.

Also in Washington, Michigan, Texas.

Full podcast of what’s going on for Duke MBB. How much faith do we have in Jon? What’s the latest with Tyrese? Who will step up and be the leader for this team going forward. It’s gut check time.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

📍 McCamish Pavilion
⏰ 215
📺 CW

Duke travels to Hotlanta for the first game of the ACC season to take on the rambling wreck. GT is 3-2 on the season with a good win this week over 21 ranked Mississippi St.

Tech is coached by Damon Stoudamire in his first year at the helm. The last two years he’s been on the bench of the Boston Celtics as an assistant. Prior to that he was the head coach of Pacific.

We’re at the point that idk what to expect.. road game in the ACC against a team that’s beaten a ranked team.. I think we struggle but hope I’m wrong.

Duke-77
GT- 79

Fun fact- you can get tickets on secondary market for $12

Things are pretty positive from the few Blue Devil recruits I've already connected with. Will keep that type of news in this thread...

There was a time that we would never forget tPearl Harbor Day. Now, there's almost nothing anywhere on line, on TV, etc.

Before there was 9/11 there was Pearl Harbor Day. It is a terrible thing when our country gets attacked on our own soil. I trust that those who govern will always remember that our home safety comes first.

This is not a political statement. This is an American statement.

Duke needs to hire a new coach for the second time in Nina King's 2.5-year tenure as AD. Can't say I'm envious of her job right now.

Here's the quick story on Mike Elko leaving for Texas A&M.

Here's a list of 5 candidates I'd watch in the coming days.

As a bit of a programming note: I'll have as much as I can today. I know that I at least want to write a column. I don't know what official stuff Duke will have, but I'd imagine it'll be something in the form of who coaches the bowl game, national search starts now, etc.