If last year taught us anything, it's the now cliche, expectations often lead to frustrations.
I am not so enthused that everyone has Duke as the consensus #1 team now. But, this is an insane amount of talent.
What I really hope for with these young guys is that they can come together as a team. If they can do that and if K can corral all the players, give some PT to the bench guys, I think they could be a great squad.
K has had some tough years in the past to navigate (with injuries or talent that became frustrated). This is going to be a true challenge for the coach. Knee replacement surgery (which is at least a 3 month recovery period and a painful grind). And, it is doubly hard with so much talent - especially on the front line.
K could actually throw out 5 of freshmen on the floor at some point, if he wanted to: Bagley, Carter, O'Connell, Trent Jr., and Duval - and they could probably hold their own against most teams.
5 deep at the 4-5 positions: Bagley, Carter, Bolden, Vrank, and DeLaurier. We have 3 sure fire starters any of whom could be all-ACC at the 1-2-3 spots: Duval, Trent, Jr., and Grayson. And, then there's a veteran in White (who has flashed some ability as a 3). Plus, three more freshmen in this range, the best of which is likely to be O'Connell; along with Goldwire and Tucker.
It will be a challenge and a half for K to keep all these guys positive. No easy task with so many so young players and several with NBA dreams. I do hope that we play a lot of these guys early. Likely that neither Goldwire nor Tucker see the floor at all from Jan. 1 on (except for 1-2 minute mop ups in blowouts). But, that still leaves 10 players who have significant contribution ability. I'd like to see all 10 get opportunities (not likely given the recent past; barring injury).
What does Bolden have to be thinking? I am hopeful that he matures and sees that this competition will only make him better. And, that he can make the two new big guys entering (Bagley and Carter) better. If he steps up, he certainly can garner some PT behind those two.
Personally, I am hoping that we don't recruit too many more for 2018 (we've got a nice one in Tre Jones) - maybe one more front line guy or a 2G. But, some of these 3-4 year talent level players should be able to step up in the next two years and I am hoping they get the opportunity (O'Connell; DeLaurier; White; Vrank; Tucker & Goldwire). Certainly won't happen this year too much but would love to see these guys develop and get PT in the next couple of years. There have been some solid Duke teams that didn't have mega talent except 1-2-3 players but still played really well (late 80's; '94; 2010).
I am not so enthused that everyone has Duke as the consensus #1 team now. But, this is an insane amount of talent.
What I really hope for with these young guys is that they can come together as a team. If they can do that and if K can corral all the players, give some PT to the bench guys, I think they could be a great squad.
K has had some tough years in the past to navigate (with injuries or talent that became frustrated). This is going to be a true challenge for the coach. Knee replacement surgery (which is at least a 3 month recovery period and a painful grind). And, it is doubly hard with so much talent - especially on the front line.
K could actually throw out 5 of freshmen on the floor at some point, if he wanted to: Bagley, Carter, O'Connell, Trent Jr., and Duval - and they could probably hold their own against most teams.
5 deep at the 4-5 positions: Bagley, Carter, Bolden, Vrank, and DeLaurier. We have 3 sure fire starters any of whom could be all-ACC at the 1-2-3 spots: Duval, Trent, Jr., and Grayson. And, then there's a veteran in White (who has flashed some ability as a 3). Plus, three more freshmen in this range, the best of which is likely to be O'Connell; along with Goldwire and Tucker.
It will be a challenge and a half for K to keep all these guys positive. No easy task with so many so young players and several with NBA dreams. I do hope that we play a lot of these guys early. Likely that neither Goldwire nor Tucker see the floor at all from Jan. 1 on (except for 1-2 minute mop ups in blowouts). But, that still leaves 10 players who have significant contribution ability. I'd like to see all 10 get opportunities (not likely given the recent past; barring injury).
What does Bolden have to be thinking? I am hopeful that he matures and sees that this competition will only make him better. And, that he can make the two new big guys entering (Bagley and Carter) better. If he steps up, he certainly can garner some PT behind those two.
Personally, I am hoping that we don't recruit too many more for 2018 (we've got a nice one in Tre Jones) - maybe one more front line guy or a 2G. But, some of these 3-4 year talent level players should be able to step up in the next two years and I am hoping they get the opportunity (O'Connell; DeLaurier; White; Vrank; Tucker & Goldwire). Certainly won't happen this year too much but would love to see these guys develop and get PT in the next couple of years. There have been some solid Duke teams that didn't have mega talent except 1-2-3 players but still played really well (late 80's; '94; 2010).
