I believe every poster on this board understands Maliq is needed to get to the Final Four. This team is awesome, however, the need for Maliq's experience and toughness is essential.
Maliq Brown... Rest Up
- Thread starter jamsession2
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I think he makes us better defensively. But no, I don't think he is needed for this team to make it to the FF. I think Duke has enough talent and grit to overcome his absence. It definitely makes the margin for error smaller with any other potential injuries.
If our team goes up against a more 'seasoned team', upperclassmen, it could be a problem. Maliq's defense makes things easier for Kon and Cooper. Yes, they have done well when he's been out. But the tournament is a different animal. Pat and Mal will need Maliq for those moments.
Sure. It definitely could be. But it also could not be. I don't understand your assessment that Pat and Mal will need him. Because Pat would likely not see too many minutes if Maliq is healthy. IMO, Duke losing Gillis would be a bigger hit. But losing anyone sucks.
Duke could probably win a title without Brown. But our odds improve with Brown, our best defender. In a slugfest with a Houston or Auburn you may need all hands on deck. Shouldn't be an issue before the elite eight with this team. They certainly seem to be peaking at the right time. If we can get Evans to be a consistent double digit scorer that raises our ceiling and makes us the team to beat.
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I totally agree about your comment that we seem to be peaking at the right time. It felt like Coach K’s teams near the end of his career would peak too early. Maybe that’s why Jon has been so focused on defense and tried to let them figure out the offense early on in the season. Whatever he’s doing, it seems to be working. We’re starting to fire on all cylinders now and that’s a scary problem for the rest of college basketball.
It's pretty obvious, we can still win a title without Brown (see Saturday night) but our margin for error is much tighter without him.
You never know how games will be officiated in the tournament, but generally it's a tighter whistle. I'd worry about Maluach/Ngongba getting in foul trouble, especially against an elite seasoned big. Obviously Auburn has Broome, and Houston's 2nd leading scorer is a big.
Brown would also be crucial against a team like Alabama that spreads the court and wants to shoot a bunch of three's.
You never know how games will be officiated in the tournament, but generally it's a tighter whistle. I'd worry about Maluach/Ngongba getting in foul trouble, especially against an elite seasoned big. Obviously Auburn has Broome, and Houston's 2nd leading scorer is a big.
Brown would also be crucial against a team like Alabama that spreads the court and wants to shoot a bunch of three's.
No disrespect to Brown, but this team should be able to win it all without him. Pat, Gillis, and Evans are talented enough to pick up the slack. Pat should continue to improve as he gets more time.
Why play Gillis at the center? Pat and Mal are improving every game, but neither one are ready for 35plus minutes at the center position.
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