Luck

[TheLaettnerStomp]

Most all the champions have a game where they could have, or should have lost. The holes in 17 had 2 games before the championship game.
Hopefully, today was that game for us.
Just a bad matchup for us tonight. We have no bigs that can take their big with them, so Tacko could just sit back and play second line d. Then Dawkins had a career game.

The missed one at the end? Maybe the man up stairs was letting us have one in return for last season.

Let’s count our blessings and get ready for VT.

Agreed. Sometimes, it takes a bit of luck.

I remember watching the Duke v. Maryland game at ESPNZone in D.C. in the Final Four. Long story short, I’ll never forget watching that game in a hostile environment. A Maryland fan walks up to our table at half. He makes a bet with me about the game. I say I’m not betting money but I’ll bet him a beer. After the game, I see him and ask for my beer. I was surrounded by a bunch of guys I didn’t know, all wearing black hats on backwards. Could have gone either way. The guy told me to go F myself. The guys with the hats all turned their hats around; all Duke fans (later found out two of them played for Duke back in the day). They escorted the guy to the bar to buy me my drink.

That Maryland fan and I are still friends after that night. That’s why I like this time of year. Strange, and awesome, things can happen.

 

[DukefanKY]

This really pisses me off. He says the same shat every year. Develop your freaking bench then K! Every other team in America seems to be able to do it why not the “goat” also if I was AOC or Baker I’d just go ahead and transfer. They’re good ball players that sadly won’t get a shot

Maybe yot should transfer!! You got any sky blue shirts??

 

[dukiejay]

The fact we're even having this conversation after the top overall seed got lucky to beat a Kenpom 35 team shows we're in trouble.

You can go down the list of reasons but the reality is we're a decent team with a superstar who makes us really good. After UK, I think we all thought we had a super team: strong starters, great bench.

Just had to laugh tonight when K said in the presser that we're not a deep team. Maybe his just forgetting that a) he uses that excuse every year; and b) that's 100% on him.

I don’t think tonight somehow proves we’re in trouble.

Lastly, we’re not deep right now. Jack is hurt and AOC hasn’t been able to add much value. Thankfully, JGold has seemingly come out of nowhere to give us a huge lift.

 

[denverexpat]

I don’t think tonight somehow proves we’re in trouble.

Lastly, we’re not deep right now. Jack is hurt and AOC hasn’t been able to add much value. Thankfully, JGold has seemingly come out of nowhere to give us a huge lift.

Not sure how we know AOC's value since he doesnt get to play. I thought his 20 against Cuse would get him some run but apparently not

 

[eastspartan]

Call me stupid but this may have been the best thing to happen. Lets these freshman know it could end that fast.

 

[dukiejay]

This really pisses me off. He says the same shat every year. Develop your freaking bench then K! Every other team in America seems to be able to do it why not the “goat” also if I was AOC or Baker I’d just go ahead and transfer. They’re good ball players that sadly won’t get a shot

I think Alex has had more than his fair share of chances. He’s just not at a point where he offers anything more than the occasional jump shot. I hate it....because I’ve way overvalued what I thought he was capable of doing.

Jack is hurt. Before that, his game had regressed. It’s not like he wasn’t playing minutes.

As for Joey, I’m not really sure why Duke lifted the redshirt. I think he’s a good player, too, but whether or not he’s ready to play right now I can’t really say.

 

[TheLaettnerStomp]

The fact we're even having this conversation after the top overall seed got lucky to beat a Kenpom 35 team shows we're in trouble.

You can go down the list of reasons but the reality is we're a decent team with a superstar who makes us really good. After UK, I think we all thought we had a super team: strong starters, great bench.

Just had to laugh tonight when K said in the presser that we're not a deep team. Maybe his just forgetting that a) he uses that excuse every year; and b) that's 100% on him.

Yeah. If you thought this was going to be an easy win, you didn’t do your opposition research. You’re caught up on numbers. Does Duke have issues? Yes. Every team does. We just played a team who played their best possible game. What scares me is that we shot well from 3-point land. That’s not a given for us. However, did you all of a sudden realize that we get every team’s best shot? Dawkins is a great coach. His kid was on fire. They had something to prove. And honestly, this was a nightmare matchup for Duke. Have some faith in Krzyzewski.

 

[dukiejay]

Not sure how we know AOC's value since he doesnt get to play. I thought his 20 against Cuse would get him some run but apparently not

He’s played in all but two games this season. He’s averaged 14 minutes. So he’s certainly played. And yes, I’ve seen him make some shots. But that’s it. And he’s done it less than he should. For example, against UNC this year in three games, he didn’t make a single shot.

I love Alex, but some of you make it sound like we have the sure-fire assassin sitting on the bench who never, ever has gotten chances. That’s not totally true.

 

[CorrectShadeofBlue]

AO needs to step up. I think we all thought he would be our Circa 2015 Grayson Allen. He’s not. Somewhere, along the way, he got inside his own head. It sucks. We need him. But, Coach isn’t going to play him when he’s a dumpster fire.

 

[Mac9192]

He’s played in all but two games this season. He’s averaged 14 minutes. So he’s certainly played. And yes, I’ve seen him make some shots. But that’s it. And he’s done it less than he should. For example, against UNC this year in three games, he didn’t make a single shot.

I love Alex, but some of you make it sound like we have the sure-fire assassin sitting on the bench who never, ever has gotten chances. That’s not totally true.

I’ve wanted him to play more, but I’ve come to believe I think I want him to be this solid player more than he does.

He just seems immature.

 

[denverexpat]

He’s played in all but two games this season. He’s averaged 14 minutes. So he’s certainly played. And yes, I’ve seen him make some shots. But that’s it. And he’s done it less than he should. For example, against UNC this year in three games, he didn’t make a single shot.

I love Alex, but some of you make it sound like we have the sure-fire assassin sitting on the bench who never, ever has gotten chances. That’s not totally true.

and neither is saying he cant shoot....when we are struggling for options he is one we can try. He's a 40% 3pt shooter from limited opportunities. To the point, given enough time ( the 14 mins are probably embellished by the early season blow outs) in conference games some of us think he could contributed more. Its a difference of opinion as to how our team has developed depth this year

 

[dukiejay]

I’ve wanted him to play more, but I’ve come to believe I think I want it more than he does.

He just seems immature.

He’s physically immature, for sure. Sometimes I think he just doesn’t understand the basic tenets of defense. Even the other night against NDSU he just looked lost.

But I’m with you on Alex and wanting more. I’ve said over and over all year I thought he would be a guy like Andre Dawkins against Baylor or Matt Jones against Gonzaga....where we’d need him to have a similar sequence in a big game.

 

[pisgah101]

Maybe yot should transfer!! You got any sky blue shirts??

If I transferred it’d be a lot closer blue to ours

 

[dukiejay]

and neither is saying he cant shoot....when we are struggling for options he is one we can try. He's a 40% 3pt shooter from limited opportunities. To the point, given enough time ( the 14 mins are probably embellished by the early season blow outs) in conference games some of us think he could contributed more. Its a difference of opinion as to how our team has developed depth this year

I never said he can’t shoot.

Also, when Zion was out he played over 20 minutes in four straight games. He’s had numerous chances.

Besides, you’re basing he should play only because he can shoot. That’s it. Goldwire just offers us more right now. Not on offense, but certainly on defense.

 

[crazyduke3]

Scoring is a HUGE issue outside of Zion and RJ.

I do think things will be a little better without a literal 7’6 hanging out at the rim. But the opportunities are there for somebody else to make contributions.

4 possible games left in the season. Only 1 for sure. It’s literally now or never.

 

[BlueDaveil]

If you listen to K or any of the players the priority of this team is always defense. When we look our best on offense it is always because of our defense. Putting in Alex or Joey doesn’t magically fix our half court offense because we don’t really want to be playing half court offense. We want to get stops or steals and run. Alex provides us with shooting but he isn’t strong enough yet on the other side of the floor to make it worth the trade off in these tight games, especially ones where our opponents are making shot after shot like tonight. I think Jack’s contributions were more obvious when he was hitting all of his 3’s but he is an extremely important piece of our defense and it will be nice to have him back.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Tacko Falls was called for earlier shooting fouls on Zion, @retiredsoldier posted some excellent examples in the game thread. Reddish cleaned blocked Dawkins who was awarded with a 3pt shooting foul. So let’s take that and negate the RJ/Zion foul crap.

“OK BUT THE BASKETBALL GODS ROBBED UCF HOW DID THAT TIP-IN NOT GO IN?” Dawkins shot unconsciously all game, contested a majority of the time. I think he was finally due for hiccup.

“Ball don’t lie.”

 

[chov1125]

Imagine in Coby White’s 3 falls and Dawkins put back goes in? Imagine how this season would be viewed. Just amazing the small things that can change the outcome of a season forever.

 

[pisgah101]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...n-to-worry-about-dukes-title-chances.amp.html

Good read

 

[Smythe13]

Imagine in Coby White’s 3 falls and Dawkins put back goes in? Imagine how this season would be viewed. Just amazing the small things that can change the outcome of a season forever.

Excellent observation and perspective.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Imagine in Coby White’s 3 falls and Dawkins put back goes in? Imagine how this season would be viewed. Just amazing the small things that can change the outcome of a season forever.

A lot of interesting perspectives over the course of our season tbh...

2 scenarios you mentioned
What if we didn’t full court press Louisville?
What if Cam missed vs Fl St?
What if Gonzaga didn’t shoot 75% 1st half?
What if we didn’t shoot 9/43 3PT vs ‘Cuse?
What if Wake hit that final shot or tip?

What if we just played average or a little above against UK and won the initial game of the season... Would the media and ourselves as fans have the same ridiculous hype?

 

[lyonhawk]

What if Zion's shoe hadn't blown out, we won the regular season and ACCT and were now heading to the S16?

 

[tripleb71]

AOC becomes a defensive liability if he isn't hitting shots. Teams almost always exclusively start looking to get his man the ball when he is in. If he is hitting shots, he gets good burn. If not, he hurts us two ways.

This is why Cam gets to keep playing when his shot isn't falling....he plays great defense still, generally.

And trust me...nobody wants AOC to play better than me but his short leash is fitting.

 

[sheyduke]

I’m puzzled like the rest. How is it every year Duke isn’t a “deep” team yet every other team is and don’t bolster elite athletes on the bench.

It seems every tourney K says that yet it’s always the five same players playing. I mean look at UNC’s bench Roy will go ten deep and some on Dukes bench were ranked higher as recruits.

Baker will always be a head scratcher and Bolden I don’t think is a hundred percent but Duke will need help going forward.

 

[Showenuff]

every year, people just don't understand the makeup of this tournament. EVERY team , big and small, puts it all out there, everything they've got. It's a moment any given player can have the game of a lifetime. The pressure is immense. We're young as crap. Hell yes we got lucky at the end of the game. Lucky the whole game HELL no. We got mega hosed on tons of calls. But you can't be happy we won. We have to win by 30 or everybody is losing their shit around here. Stupid. Our game is almost 95% inside the paint. We're not a good 3 point team, it's no secret. And they totally packed it in on us, dared us to shoot 3's and whats worse, yea , a 7'6" telephone pole right in front of the basket . So we were up against that, refs swallowing whistles, a head coach who knows K inside and out. The name of this tournament is Survive and Advance. We did that. Some of you guys get so down on the team I don't know how you enjoy basketball. I'd quit if I were that miserable. 15 minutes into a game you're throwing in the towel? Wow. I'm not giving up. We still have as good a chance as anyone in the field to win this thing. Gonna take some heart, but it's still attainable my friends. Don't curl up and surrender so soon.

 

[dukephysics]

every year, people just don't understand the makeup of this tournament. EVERY team , big and small, puts it all out there, everything they've got. It's a moment any given player can have the game of a lifetime. The pressure is immense. We're young as crap. Hell yes we got lucky at the end of the game. Lucky the whole game HELL no. We got mega hosed on tons of calls. But you can't be happy we won. We have to win by 30 or everybody is losing their shit around here. Stupid. Our game is almost 95% inside the paint. We're not a good 3 point team, it's no secret. And they totally packed it in on us, dared us to shoot 3's and whats worse, yea , a 7'6" telephone pole right in front of the basket . So we were up against that, refs swallowing whistles, a head coach who knows K inside and out. The name of this tournament is Survive and Advance. We did that. Some of you guys get so down on the team I don't know how you enjoy basketball. I'd quit if I were that miserable. 15 minutes into a game you're throwing in the towel? Wow. I'm not giving up. We still have as good a chance as anyone in the field to win this thing. Gonna take some heart, but it's still attainable my friends. Don't curl up and surrender so soon.

Harrumpf!!

 

[smashmouth5]

Goldwire has played his way into rotation and has eaten into others minutes. Bolden is not 100 percent and White is hurt. Coach will play guys that get it first on the defensive end. He always has. He has also shortened his bench come tourney time. If White isn't hurt, I think he's playing 8 pretty consistently. UCF played a great game and Duke needed defense. Not sure the trade off of a possible 3 vs outstanding pressure D would of been a good trade off.

 

[skysdad]

so they always say you can’t win a championship without some luck. We had a lot of that today. Is it time to panic? Or what other former champions have had this close of a call outside of duke 92 and NC st back in the day

Well the unc face book fans are out today. One said Duke was lucky. I agreed with him but stated everyone gets lucky every now and then. I ask him if he thought unc ever got lucky. He said he would have to think about that and get back. He hasn't gotten back. I then added that I remember times that Duke was unlucky. No response on that. OFC

 

[smashmouth5]

every year, people just don't understand the makeup of this tournament. EVERY team , big and small, puts it all out there, everything they've got. It's a moment any given player can have the game of a lifetime. The pressure is immense. We're young as crap. Hell yes we got lucky at the end of the game. Lucky the whole game HELL no. We got mega hosed on tons of calls. But you can't be happy we won. We have to win by 30 or everybody is losing their shit around here. Stupid. Our game is almost 95% inside the paint. We're not a good 3 point team, it's no secret. And they totally packed it in on us, dared us to shoot 3's and whats worse, yea , a 7'6" telephone pole right in front of the basket . So we were up against that, refs swallowing whistles, a head coach who knows K inside and out. The name of this tournament is Survive and Advance. We did that. Some of you guys get so down on the team I don't know how you enjoy basketball. I'd quit if I were that miserable. 15 minutes into a game you're throwing in the towel? Wow. I'm not giving up. We still have as good a chance as anyone in the field to win this thing. Gonna take some heart, but it's still attainable my friends. Don't curl up and surrender so soon.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

every year, people just don't understand the makeup of this tournament. EVERY team , big and small, puts it all out there, everything they've got. It's a moment any given player can have the game of a lifetime. The pressure is immense. We're young as crap. Hell yes we got lucky at the end of the game. Lucky the whole game HELL no. We got mega hosed on tons of calls. But you can't be happy we won. We have to win by 30 or everybody is losing their shit around here. Stupid. Our game is almost 95% inside the paint. We're not a good 3 point team, it's no secret. And they totally packed it in on us, dared us to shoot 3's and whats worse, yea , a 7'6" telephone pole right in front of the basket . So we were up against that, refs swallowing whistles, a head coach who knows K inside and out. The name of this tournament is Survive and Advance. We did that. Some of you guys get so down on the team I don't know how you enjoy basketball. I'd quit if I were that miserable. 15 minutes into a game you're throwing in the towel? Wow. I'm not giving up. We still have as good a chance as anyone in the field to win this thing. Gonna take some heart, but it's still attainable my friends. Don't curl up and surrender so soon.

Great post, Show! This team on multiple occasions were on the verge of putting it away but didn't, and that's a testament to UCF, but after leading much of the game we went down 4 near the end. Most of the time when that happens to a team they're toast, but this group wouldn't quit and pulled it out. These guys have heart in spades, and our tough schedule prepared for this. I love 'em all. And we're winning the ship.

And as far as some posters on this board, they can't enjoy hardly anything. It must be miserable. I'd bet some of them, the first time they got laid, complained 'cause their partner didn't high five 'em.

OFC

 

[K-oach Q]

Lol Dirt..good ending there...

I Falls over laughing..

 

[DukefanKY]

the first time they got laid, complained 'cause their partner didn't high five 'em.

My first time didn't last long enough to complain about anything!!!

 

[Showenuff]

I hear it was the same your last time.

 

[Showenuff]

 

[dukiejay]

I’m puzzled like the rest. How is it every year Duke isn’t a “deep” team yet every other team is and don’t bolster elite athletes on the bench.

It seems every tourney K says that yet it’s always the five same players playing. I mean look at UNC’s bench Roy will go ten deep and some on Dukes bench were ranked higher as recruits.

Baker will always be a head scratcher and Bolden I don’t think is a hundred percent but Duke will need help going forward.

You used one example. That's UNC. Then you said every other team is deep....that's simply not true.

Michigan saw six guys play double-digit minutes Saturday. Gonzaga seven. Purdue had five guys - their starters - play double-digit minutes. Auburn seven. UK had seven, but they're obviously down P.J.

Lastly, with the exception of UK, all of those previous teams I listed had blowout wins and they still played lighter minutes. It's not as if Duke is the great outlier here, like you're suggesting. In fact, it's the opposite.

 

[DukefanKY]

I hear it was the same your last time.

She promised she wouldn't tell you that.....when you get home, tell her I am PISSED!!!

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

I hear it was the same your last time.

Damn, Show! Killers kill!

OFC

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

She promised she wouldn't tell you that.....when you get home, tell her I am PISSED!!!

Whoa...DukeKy, with an uppercut to the champ!

OFC

 

[christophero]

I don't think Bolden is near 100 percent. He's always been one of those guys who gets out of shape quickly and takes longer to recover. A week can make a big difference with him, and that could make us better.

 

[QC Dukie]

every year, people just don't understand the makeup of this tournament. EVERY team , big and small, puts it all out there, everything they've got. It's a moment any given player can have the game of a lifetime. The pressure is immense. We're young as crap. Hell yes we got lucky at the end of the game. Lucky the whole game HELL no. We got mega hosed on tons of calls. But you can't be happy we won. We have to win by 30 or everybody is losing their shit around here. Stupid. Our game is almost 95% inside the paint. We're not a good 3 point team, it's no secret. And they totally packed it in on us, dared us to shoot 3's and whats worse, yea , a 7'6" telephone pole right in front of the basket . So we were up against that, refs swallowing whistles, a head coach who knows K inside and out. The name of this tournament is Survive and Advance. We did that. Some of you guys get so down on the team I don't know how you enjoy basketball. I'd quit if I were that miserable. 15 minutes into a game you're throwing in the towel? Wow. I'm not giving up. We still have as good a chance as anyone in the field to win this thing. Gonna take some heart, but it's still attainable my friends. Don't curl up and surrender so soon.

Post of the year! But what do I know? I should be hanging out at chucky cheese with Ipsy.