I gotta believe some "things" have already played themselves out and it's just a matter of time that we all think is waaaayyyy too long...lol
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Off-season thoughts
- Thread starter pisgah101
- Start date
Wonder how the feeling is behind the scenes on this oneAs expected:
Miami Lands Commitment From Former Duke Signee Shelton Henderson
Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes land the second-highest recruit in program history as former Duke signee Shelton Henderson commits to Miami. This is followiwww.si.com
OFC
It’s a fair question. Honestly I’m sure they’re happy the kid landed there versus somewhere else bc it means he stayed true to the guy recruiting him, but it definitely stings. So I’m going to say it’s a mixed bag.
Just listened to Jeff Goodman. Coward from Washington State: Down to Alabama and Duke. Thinks Alabama is in the lead. Stoj: Duke not even mentioned as one of the schools.
I just don’t think there’s anyway a program like Duke goes into the season as is- even if Evan’s comes back. All I keep hearing is how much NIL we have and zero push for any top transfer? There’s no way we don’t have one or two of the top transfers locked up.
If not, as others have said, next year will be a major step back. I’m trying to keep the faith and let it all work itself out but my finger is getting closer to the panic button with the roster as is…
If not, as others have said, next year will be a major step back. I’m trying to keep the faith and let it all work itself out but my finger is getting closer to the panic button with the roster as is…
If we do indeed have transfers lined up why no word of it? Why no word on Evans? The Vatican level secrecy is getting old.
Yeah I just don’t get why it seems Duke is sitting back and doing nothing. Really hope something is in the works or this roster is a mid level tournament team.
It is . Or maybe there is no secrets at all. Maybe we’re just waiting on who announces that’s left . They got until the 24 . Maybe Scheyer is already tired of catering to college kids who are basically pro athletes .
Potentially the coaching staff just wants to roll with the 8-9 of
Foster
Evans
Khamenia
Cameron
Ngongba
Brown
Harris
Cayden
Transfer that is reclassifying
^ last season’s team was rumored to not be much involved with social media. This could be a reason why Foster has been the only one to announce “I’m coming back, I want to win a natty”. Brown did post a pic of him and Foster, this could be his way of saying I’m coming back. Cameron in an interview said, “we will have a good team, because we have a team of winners”.
We as fans would feel better with 1-2 more transfers added for depth/injury insurances. But similar to the 2014-2015 mantra once Suliamon was dismissed, “8 is enough”, maybe the 2025-2026 team has developed the mindset “9 is enough”
Foster
Evans
Khamenia
Cameron
Ngongba
Brown
Harris
Cayden
Transfer that is reclassifying
^ last season’s team was rumored to not be much involved with social media. This could be a reason why Foster has been the only one to announce “I’m coming back, I want to win a natty”. Brown did post a pic of him and Foster, this could be his way of saying I’m coming back. Cameron in an interview said, “we will have a good team, because we have a team of winners”.
We as fans would feel better with 1-2 more transfers added for depth/injury insurances. But similar to the 2014-2015 mantra once Suliamon was dismissed, “8 is enough”, maybe the 2025-2026 team has developed the mindset “9 is enough”
That lineup will be young and only experienced players would be Foster and Brown. Duke has to add more to this roster
dukecorey, Evans and Ngongba were part of the rotation last season. Harris was part of the team as well.
Agreed that Foster and Brown would be the only upperclassmen on this upcoming team.
Yes but both Evans & Ngongba got limited minutes in the tournament. Ngongba got most of his minutes when Brown was out. Both showed huge flashes of what type of players they can be. But I still wouldn’t call them experienced college basketball players. They both are huge for Duke’s chances next year and are must to bring back. They just need at least three portal player or a late recruit in my opinion. I would hope proven guard and wing and depth big.
We need a transfer guard imo. I get people are glass half full, but Foster was all over the map this year, Harris played zero meaningful minutes and Evans was either hot or cold and Jon trusted him with a whopping two minutes in the final four. Brown was injured most of the season, and Pat was solid but had the luxury of subbing for Mal. That is a lot of unknowns. That is why I wanted Proctor back. He is a known quantity.
Agree...they know they have die hard fans...seems they would show some appreciation and know the suspense is killing us....
I think Jon is in the awkward position of knowing we need a few good physical high level transfers to make another deep run but knowing this could possibly run people off. It's great that Foster came back but we can't bet our entire season on him making a big jump.
Last season’s team was Special because they were very unselfish and talented 1-11. A lot on here want continuity with Duke’s recruits, I do too. I have zero insider knowledge, but maybe the contingencies of Brown, Ngongba, Evans, and Harris all returning is that the coaching staff doesn’t overload with transfers.
Brown, Foster, Ngongba, Evans, and Harris were 2nd string players last season and I imagine they want to be more Featured on this upcoming season’s team.
The Duke Coaching Staff has the difficult task with roster construction every season that’s why they earn the big bucks.
Brown, Foster, Ngongba, Evans, and Harris were 2nd string players last season and I imagine they want to be more Featured on this upcoming season’s team.
The Duke Coaching Staff has the difficult task with roster construction every season that’s why they earn the big bucks.
I think the returning guys plus Coward and the reclass forward would be okay. I don't think we will be anywhere near the team we were this year, but we probably weren't going to be anyway unless Cooper and Kon or Proctor returned. I will cheer for the team as always but will lower my expectations unless we get a few A plus portal guys. This was our most complete team in at least a decade, which is why it stings to not win it all.
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I’m sure the coaching staff is working their tails off getting everything in place. I used to think that would be a great job, but with the transfer portal and NIL, I don’t think I could do it. Kudos to Jon and his staff, I have faith they will put the right pieces together. I think we will know a lot at the end of the week about next year’s team, minus a couple of transfers coming in.
I think he is afraid to
I think deals are being made. Big Pat's Mom was negotiating his new deal as of Friday. It seems Slim was working out every day with Caleb, so I think our core is back, but that doesn't mean the business part of this has been settled.
I'd rather bring in an experienced portal guard/wing like Coward but a 5 star combo guard is tempting. Not sure if Duke is interested. If we get Pat, Brown, Harris, Foster and Evans back that's a good start. Plus 4 freshman if the PF reclasses, that's 9. Sheffield makes 10. Maybe one portal guard and practice big man who can play occasionally like Bates Jones or best case Theo John. That is a good solid team.
I watched some Khamenia highlights. he looks good, maybe a poor man's Singler, a bit more perimeter oriented than Singler. Not an insult; Singler was top 5 in a loaded class. I did notice that he often settled for jumpers instead of backing a guy down. I saw Singler play in high school several times on TV and he was super aggressive. He even guarded Kevin Love at times when they played. Singler is easily one of my favorite players.
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It’s Tuesday we will see what happens. I really like the fact last years team wasn’t socially active on the net . It’s toxic . To be honest with the way I read how some of these Young men and Women are talked about on the net I don’t blame them for getting their money and bolting . I didn’t know it was that bad .
I don’t disagree on the transfer and experience aspect and I’m completely fine with that. However, that’s not typically the way Jon has built his roster and he has made it clear he wants bigger guards who can shoot and he’s both those things. He and slim at the 2/3 spot would provide a ton of shooting and hes 6’4. Plus it would be cool to stick it to Hurley.
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This.
I really think we were spoiled this year with how tight and talented our team was. Had we kept it together in the last 8 minutes of the FF and won a national championship, I think we would all be a lot less stressed. But we didn't. IMHO the 2024-25 team was one of best teams in my 40 year Duke fandom, and we won't see another quite like it for a long time.
I trust Jon has things under control as best he can in a very uncertain and sometimes hostile recruitment and portal system. I am confident we will field a respectable team next year. I think it's just hard to compare this coming year's team to the lightning in a bottle we had this past year.
There's apparently a different player named Darius Adams who is 36 years old and ran out of eligibility in 2011. I saw his age next to the correct Darius Adams and just thought, "Huh. Must be an FSU transfer."
Things looked a lot worse this time last year. Plus we didn’t expect kneuppel to be as good as he was. Also we didn’t realize how good last years team was until that last month or so.
Not to sound egotistical but Duke will get some good players. Players want to play at duke (see guys like Gillis and James). Hopefully hear soon about some more returnees but guess most of that delay is working out the $. Scheyer had a great plan for last years team. I am confident he does this year as well.
Not to sound egotistical but Duke will get some good players. Players want to play at duke (see guys like Gillis and James). Hopefully hear soon about some more returnees but guess most of that delay is working out the $. Scheyer had a great plan for last years team. I am confident he does this year as well.
Seems like before last year we had trouble getting transfers. I know they usually are grad transfers, except Brown.
Personally I’d take Dawson Garcia.
Big man that stretches the floor but also rebounds.
Big man that stretches the floor but also rebounds.
He had a big year for Minnesota. He is good. Coward would be a good fit if we can beat out Bama and their $. We should know soon. Coward may stay in the draft, although he is second round now. He will likely return but you never know.
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