***DUKE VS VIRGINIA TECH OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***

[Liftee]

These bad starts, at the same time as the other team comes out on fire, have to stop. The guards seem tentative at first and they warm up later. Coach K has to find a solution to this, especially the failure to stop the other team when they come out strong.

The bad decisions the last 5 minutes killed what could have been a great comeback. I love Goldwire, but one of his strong suits is playing within his limits and he didn't do that last night.

So the work the coaching staff has to do is largely the players' mental preparation.

 

[christophero]

I think we need more scoring out of Baker and Moore. These guys are leaders, and on a young team we need more than 4 points between them.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Let's just gave facts our freshmen were maybe over ranked coming out of HS...and sane could be said for moore and Baker too

 

[mo.st.dukie]

Let's just gave facts our freshmen were maybe over ranked coming out of HS...and sane could be said for moore and Baker too

Roach and Steward were #25 and #29 respectively and have shown to be very talented while averaging double figure scoring. Brakefield was #44 and a 4 star who has shown great ability and skills. I think they were ranked appropriately, they just aren't the powerhouse freshmen we have been used to like Carey, Zion, RJ, Marvin, Wendell Carter, Tatum, Ingram, Irving, Parker, Okafor, Austin, Tyus, and Justise where they are consistently great. They are just normal freshmen who are going to take more time to be consistently great. They are much more like what Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Gerald Henderson, and Nolan Smith were as freshmen, all of whom became star players after a few years of development.

Moore and Baker, you might have a point although they are still relatively young and could develop to be solid players in another year or two. Duke's player development has long been questionable.

 

[Lavar5150]

The only players who seem to understand their roles are Hurt, Roach and JGold. The rest are on game by game minutes. Stewart is close but there are times where he doesn’t get the moment and takes terrible shots.

 

[lyonhawk]

The only players who seem to understand their roles are Hurt, Roach and JGold. The rest are on game by game minutes. Stewart is close but there are times where he doesn’t get the moment and takes terrible shots.

I’m actually going to disagree on both Hurt and Goldwire. I don’t think either is playing to the role the team needs. Hurt has been our best player and leads the ACC in scoring, but his game to me feels more like an audition for the NBA. He’s a good shooter (except FTs somehow), but he has this idea he’s a playmaker which is good for at least 3 turnovers a game. He’s also our only big right now, but won’t play inside.
Goldwire is a defensive specialist who is taking and missing way too many shots.

 

[skysdad]

I’m actually going to disagree on both Hurt and Goldwire. I don’t think either is playing to the role the team needs. Hurt has been our best player and leads the ACC in scoring, but his game to me feels more like an audition for the NBA. He’s a good shooter (except FTs somehow), but he has this idea he’s a playmaker which is good for at least 3 turnovers a game. He’s also our only big right now, but won’t play inside.
Goldwire is a defensive specialist who is taking and missing way too many shots.

Hurt is rebounding and blocking shots. You go inside to do that and just a couple of days ago this board was giving Jordan raises. Funny how a bad game can turn people. OFC

 

[christophero]

The freshman were always going to be inconsistent. Even JJ was not really a Zion or RJ or Tatum type recruit. It's the vets that need to step up. Hurt has, and Goldwire has to a large degree. We were also counting on Tape for some of that and he's been injured.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Hurt is rebounding and blocking shots. You go inside to do that and just a couple of days ago this board was giving Jordan raises. Funny how a bad game can turn people. OFC

Spot on, Sky. Where would this team be without Hurt and Jordan? We'd have more than 3 losses, that's for sure! Did Jordan force too much at times last night? Yes. Does Hurt try to do too much at times? Yes. But, they're leaders and really trying to carry this team at times.

 

[lyonhawk]

Spot on, Sky. Where would this team be without Hurt and Jordan? We'd have more than 3 losses, that's for sure! Did Jordan force too much at times last night? Yes. Does Hurt try to do too much at times? Yes. But, they're leaders and really trying to carry this team at times.

Just to clarify, I was not saying either is bad or should be benched. I even said Hurt has been our best player. I just don’t think either one is currently fitting the roles we need to be our best. I think they’re both trying to do too much.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Just to clarify, I was not saying either is bad or should be benched. I even said Hurt has been our best player. I just don’t think either one is currently fitting the roles we need to be our best. I think they’re both trying to do too much.

No worries man, we're all entitled to our opinions on the team. I just think Hurt and Jordan are taking more on themselves because others aren't ready for that moment yet. At times it does have a negative effect on their overall game. However, I do think they're both playing their roles as well as they can under the circumstances right now.

 

[HuffyJB]

To complain about Hurt's performance at all at this point is a little crazy to me. He has been great, and I shudder to think of where Duke would be without the jump he has made.

Goldwire though is definitely in a position where he is either trying to do or being asked to do more than is probably appropriate. Particularly from a minutes and an offensive standpoint. He has clear and important value, but the needs currently are going beyond that.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Goldy makes those shots...we are screaming from the rafters....they weren't bad looks, just the results looked bad.....the 3 guard linuep....bring the total minutes down 10-12 or so and get a big in the paint for rebounding and development

 

[bleediteveryday30]

To complain about Hurt's performance at all at this point is a little crazy to me. He has been great, and I shudder to think of where Duke would be without the jump he has made.

Goldwire though is definitely in a position where he is either trying to do or being asked to do more than is probably appropriate. Particularly from a minutes and an offensive standpoint. He has clear and important value, but the needs currently are going beyond that.

My hope is that with Jalen back we see some of the shouldering on offense Matt is doing lessen. He's giving us all he has every single possession. J-Gold is as well.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Goldy makes those shots...we are screaming from the rafters....they weren't back looks, just the results looked bad.....the 3 guard linuep....bring the total minutes down 10-12 or so and get a big in the paint for rebounding and development

I agree with that assessment. Though I would argue the one he took after Moore had missed the 3 when we got it down to one was really bad. J-Gold gives us his all though. That cannot be debated and he's severely underrated by many here.

 

[christophero]

Falling behind big in the first half repeatedly tells me the team doesn't yet realize the intensity we must play with. If we get behind big early against Louisville or UNC it could get ugly. Still we have a week for JJ to get back in game shape and hopefully beat Pitt.

 

[skysdad]

Falling behind big in the first half repeatedly tells me the team doesn't yet realize the intensity we must play with. If we get behind big early against Louisville or UNC it could get ugly. Still we have a week for JJ to get back in game shape and hopefully beat Pitt.

Dead on. These slow starts are a big part of the games we lost and why we just barely beat Wake and BC. OFC

 

[AlanInNJ]

Falling behind big in the first half repeatedly tells me the team doesn't yet realize the intensity we must play with. If we get behind big early against Louisville or UNC it could get ugly. Still we have a week for JJ to get back in game shape and hopefully beat Pitt.

When we went down 18 in the first half it was gut check time. It very easily could have gotten really, really ugly. Instead we came out and fought back to get it within one point, but we just didn't have the energy to sustain the comeback, and poor execution and shot selection at the end did us in.

Gosh we have been blessed (spoiled) over past 5 years with talent. I just don't think this team has the raw talent to play our way out of games like this like we have had recently. Maybe JJ is that guy when he's back to full strength, but other than the first game, he's been a marked man and has struggled. I also think we are really missing a big down low who could score a few buckets and rebound. It frustrated me to watch us put up shot after shot last night and have nobody within 15 feet of the basket even going for the offensive rebound. I know I am not alone in hoping Moore would get over the hump and be that tough, gritty slasher that we need him to be.

We will win again. Promise.

 

[Liftee]

This was a team that needed a full preseason both to learn the system and also to learn how to play together. Perhaps as the games come regularly (if that happens) and a routine is created, the guys will come together. Maybe not the most talented team ever, but then again, that way they won't let us down simply because they fail to win a national championship. I'll be happy if they show improvement and beat those cheaters down the road a couple times.

 

[skysdad]

When we went down 18 in the first half it was gut check time. It very easily could have gotten really, really ugly. Instead we came out and fought back to get it within one point, but we just didn't have the energy to sustain the comeback, and poor execution and shot selection at the end did us in.

Gosh we have been blessed (spoiled) over past 5 years with talent. I just don't think this team has the raw talent to play our way out of games like this like we have had recently. Maybe JJ is that guy when he's back to full strength, but other than the first game, he's been a marked man and has struggled. I also think we are really missing a big down low who could score a few buckets and rebound. It frustrated me to watch us put up shot after shot last night and have nobody within 15 feet of the basket even going for the offensive rebound. I know I am not alone in hoping Moore would get over the hump and be that tough, gritty slasher that we need him to be.

We will win again. Promise.

Everytime I see JJ I'm thinking JJ Redick. It's like when posters were calling Gerald G-man. That was Mike Gminski. It's ok though. It confuses this old fart. OFC

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Goldy makes those shots...we are screaming from the rafters....they weren't bad looks, just the results looked bad.....the 3 guard linuep....bring the total minutes down 10-12 or so and get a big in the paint for rebounding and development

Good looks yes for an average shooter but goldwire is well below average shooter so these are shots he shouldn't be taking IMO

He is a good defensive/pressure the ball player but on the offensive end we are playing 4 on 5

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Williams just looked lost last night and very weak(strength)...and some thought he was 1 and done

 

[QC Dukie]

I agree! Those silly three pt attempts by Moore and Goldwire were back breakers. Never recovered from it. We play Pitt next Tuesday, then Louisville after that.

Hey Dukerules I need to shoot you an email. Do you have one you can post on here?

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

Hey Dukerules I need to shoot you an email. Do you have one you can post on here?

Yea no problem! Can I send it as a private message though? Has nothing to do with regular posters on here. I just know that our board tends to draw a lot of lurkers and posters who “come in peace.” I don’t really want them seeing my email address.

 

[christophero]

we also need your social, mother's maiden name and the name of your first car.

 

[QC Dukie]

Yea no problem! Can I send it as a private message though? Has nothing to do with regular posters on here. I just know that our board tends to draw a lot of lurkers and posters who “come in peace.” I don’t really want them seeing my email address.

Sure no worries. What do I need to do on my end?

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

Sure no worries. What do I need to do on my end?

I’m not sure actually. Lol. I have never sent anything privately before. If anyone can help, that would be great.

 

[kingbluedevil]

we also need your social, mother's maiden name and the name of your first car.

high school mascot will do also

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

Hey Dukerules I need to shoot you an email. Do you have one you can post on here?

Hey QC! Couldn’t figure out how to send messages privately, but here’s the email address.
gamerguy146@yahoo.com

 

[Devilinside]

You know, the problem is that I cannot think of a single team in recent Duke history where Goldwire could have started as point guard or anything else. The weakness in our lineup is that we are forced to depend heavily on him. in his defense, he has the courage to take on a role which is way above his pay grade. God bless him.

OFC

 

[timo0402]

You know, the problem is that I cannot think of a single team in recent Duke history where Goldwire could have started as point guard or anything else. The weakness in our lineup is that we are forced to depend heavily on him. in his defense, he has the courage to take on a role which is way above his pay grade. God bless him.

OFC

The staff needs to be able to trust some other guys if he’s not playing well. He’s not a guy who should be given an unlimited leash, and that’s no disrespect to him. He has clear limitations, and the other night we clearly needed to go in another direction, yet my take is that the staff doesn’t feel comfortable taking him out for anyone else.

 

[christophero]

Is last year a recent Duke team?
But yeah, I see your point.

 

[Devilinside]

Is last year a recent Duke team?
But yeah, I see your point.

He was not the starting point guard that year. Tre Jones was.