He continues to wait to see who Duke hires but Indiana and others are getting more involved:

Amare Sanders has his decision date set, too

In-person visits have been going well for the staff of late. Preston Watson says he's all but done with the process after being seen this weekend.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Preview for tomorrow's ACC opener.

Programming note: I'll have remote coverage from my home office. (thought about going down but I'll pass on the madhouse of Atlanta during SEC championship game between UGA and Alabama)

Predictions:

- A third straight 20-10 game for Flip.

- Scheyer plays more of a 2-guard lineup, with Mark Mitchell at the 3, Flip at 4 and Ryan Young/Sean Stewart at the 5.

- Jared McCain scores at least 15 points, hits at least three 3s.

📍 bud walton
📺 espn
⏰ after skys bedtime 9:15

Duke makes the journey to Arkansas to play a top 25 errrr I mean a very dangerous and wounded Razorback squad that took a few blows in the Bahamas. Arkansas seems hyped, thinking this is a 94 sequel when I think it should be more of a 22 sequel

With 3 Ls on the season including 2 from teams in NC a win over a top 10 duke could help Arkansas get back on track. Coached by Eric Musselman or as I like to refer to him as off brand Nate oats.

Duke should walk away with the W but I’m not so sure. If we look like we did Friday we will lose by double digits but I’m going to give us the benefit of the doubt-

Duke-77
Ark-72

The OG Podcast is back- TK and AC recap Ark, where Jon goes from here and a preview of today’s ACC road opener.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

ACC Record Prediction:

14-6

Losses

@unc
Clemson
@VT
@NC State
@Miami
@pitt

Combined with losses to Arizona, Arkansas, and Baylor, that would give Duke 9 total in regular season play.

Schedule found HERE.

They have beaten no one and have had bad losses.

They will not even be sniffing the butt of the top 25 when we play them.

Had this finished late last night and forgot to create the thread, my bad!

Preview for tonight's game.

Programming: I'm covering Wake's home game (7:15 vs. Florida) and will get home for remote coverage of this one.

Predictions:

- Arkansas makes at least 7 3-pointers.

- Flip has a 20-10 game.

Here ya go for all you deep pocket folks.. always makes me wonder why someone would do this.. money troubles??

📺 ACCN
⏰ 6pm
📍 Cameron

This is going to be a short and sweet post as I have a ton going on today!! Southern Indiana is bad… real bad. From what I gather this is their first season as a D1 school and it shows.. we should roll no problem


Duke-104
USI- 63

Loyalty has become as rare as hens teeth.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. One thing I’m thankful for is to come here and exchange banter with you fine folks, and messing with trolls. Hope you all have a blessed day.

Just a heads up, don't mean to cause any alarm ...

But prepare accordingly when it comes to Mike Elko's name coming up on every opening for a coach in the major conferences.

Michigan State just suspended Mel Tucker and is on the way toward firing him. As I'm typing this, I guarantee somebody with a platform (not per se media, but wouldn't be surprised if it was an actual outlet) is already formulating a list of candidates that includes Elko. Duke's immediate success under him -- 11-4 in his tenure, best start for a Duke coach ever, Labor Night win over Clemson with the whole football world watching -- means he's going to be front and center in everybody's mind.

I honestly don't know if Elko will leave Duke for Michigan State. I don't think he would; and I'd like to think I've gotten to know him pretty well. But firing Tucker for cause -- seems like a formality -- is going to allow Michigan State to get out from under the weight of his massive contract. By giving him that deal two years ago, they've shown they're willing to grossly overpay -- and my approach to such things has become "everybody has a price."

If Michigan State -- or anybody else in the next 3-4 months -- comes along and wants to give Elko something like $7-10 million per year, he'd at least have a decision to make. Elko likes Duke and from all accounts behind the scenes, likes the area and the program, along with the trajectory of the program.

It's best to prepare yourselves now for his name to land on everybody's list for openings like this one (when it comes up) so that you're not surprised later.

Login to view embedded media

New pod up. We talk Elko leaving like a thief in the night. Then we pivot to the hoops season, what the last three games showed us, stock market advice on key players, Arkansas predictions. Check it out.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media Congrats!!

Amile Jefferson is leaving for the Celtics -- here's the story with the basics.

I'll be honest, this one caught me off guard. Part of that probably has to do with Wake's baseball team swallowing up a lot of my time these days ... but part is just timing and not hearing anything about this coming down the pipe. Certainly not like Nolan Smith's departure, which seemed to lean heavily for a day or two before news could be confirmed.

Anyway, per that story I did back in the season about offensive and defensive coordinators, I'd expect Duke to hire a young coach more adept at relating to players and whose main objective is skill development. C-Well runs the offense and Jai runs the defense, and it's not like the new assistant couldn't help in one or both of those areas, but Amile's main focus was development. The stories at the end of the season about Dereck Lively II's development and comfort almost always started with some version of him and Amile plugging early or late hours in the practice facility together.

Amile and Jeremy Roach were really close, too. Jeremy's strong play down the stretch in '22 was partially credited to long hours with Amile when he was director of player development.

Those are the best two examples I can think of to illustrated the impact Amile had as a coach.

As far as a replacement ... we'll see what we can dig up. As I said, I'd expect to be a player development angled hire. I don't think that automatically means it'll be somebody under 30 or anything; just somebody who can log hours of practice gym time.

We're starting to hear back from some key Duke commitments and we'll try to keep the news in one thread for now.

One of the most productive Blue Devil pledges, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole DL Preston Watson had plenty to say:

"It’s definitely confusing." he said. Admitted Jess Simpson was his primary reason for picking the program, and he has been in communication with the assistant coach early this week. Per Watson, only one coach (an off-field asst.) has been confirmed to be leaving with Elko.

Pitt and BC are increasing talks with PW in the meantime.

Login to view embedded media

Kicking off the game thread for this weekend.

Starting with the thread of updates from Elko's presser. Note: I didn't ask about the Michigan State report because I feel like I've covered that in the rumors thread.

Login to view embedded media

Before I say anything about Duke I just want to acknowledge the fight in the Screaming Eagles. They came in believing they could win and it showed.

As to Duke they started the game playing as if Southern Indiana was suppossed to roll over for the great Duke.

Scheyer woke them up by shaking up the lineup. The bench played better in the 1st half than the starters.

Honestly, the players off the bench in the first half that woke up the team deserve the Game Ball as a collective.

The game was not as bad as what many of us have said, but what was obvious is the lack of strength. I was very concerned about numerous times our kids were knocked to the floor. I was concerned about getting out positioned for a rebound. Duke will play grown men this year. The COVID year is still present.

Is the weight room open on Saturdays ?

I figured if anyone could have a link, it would be on this board.

Does anyone have a video link to Frances Redding singing the national anthem during the 90s, early 00s, usually for the UNC game? Was talking to my daughter about great versions of the song and wanted to show her a link of Frances. Searched YouTube and couldn't find anything.

thanks

Preview for tomorrow night's game.

Programming note: I've overextended myself a bit and won't make it, but will have remote coverage from home.

Predictions:

- Duke wins by at least 30.

- Jared McCain leads Duke in scoring, thinking it'll be his first 20-point game.

- Southern Indiana doesn't get to 50 points.

- TJ Power gets some first-half minutes.