Off-season thoughts

[bullcity gamer]

timo or pisgah would one of you be able to have “Five Time National Champions” be updated on the home page?

I’m not trying to be a jerk, I’m very even keel. Duke hasn’t been 3 time National Champions since 2009.

 

[Dattier]

So technically Pat, Maliq, Darren, Slim, and Caleb could declare for the NBA Draft by Saturday... but barring that, Stanley Borden is our only transfer/unexpected departure.
I think this is a testament to how our enjoyment as fans watching them was a reflection of how much fun they had together. I remember a moment on TV where Slim is celebrating on the bench after Mason hit a big shot when the 2 of them were perceived by us here to be in competition for minutes with each other. It was a really great snapshot of this season for me, and despite the expected loss of so, so, so much talent, it's a sign of how those guys we're losing nevertheless left a legacy of enjoyment and brotherhood that led to some other guys wanting to recreate that.

The challenge next year -- like K's challenge in '87 -- will be sustaining a high level of success and buy-in after a disappointing end to the previous season and max exodus.

 

[Dattier]

timo or pisgah would one of you be able to have “Five Time National Champions” be updated on the home page?

I’m not trying to be a jerk, I’m very even keel. Duke hasn’t been 3 time National Champions since 2009.

Well, trying very, very hard to be a jerk, I must point out that in 2009 we were still just a 3-time national champ. It was that first Monday in April of 2010 that we became 4-time national champs.

 

[christophero]

In terms of ?

Anyway , hope to see Duke pick up a couple of players soon .

I was just messing with you

 

[pisgah101]

timo or pisgah would one of you be able to have “Five Time National Champions” be updated on the home page?

I’m not trying to be a jerk, I’m very even keel. Duke hasn’t been 3 time National Champions since 2009.

I believe that comes from rivals itself! Not sure how it works.

 

[sheyduke]

I think every Mod has been trying to get it changed lol to no prevail.

 

[timo0402]

Basically a decade long running joke at this point

 

[Willcampbell]

UK Board turning athletic dept into an LLC. Don't know what it all means in the final analysis, but it doesn't sound good for college sports. One may have to start following the NBA and the NFL pretty soon, God forbid. At least there you know who is on the teams.
OFC

 

[christophero]

Kentucky has the number one portal class. St. John's is in the top 5 as well. Not sure how many returnees they have. Kentucky's former 5 star center Bradshaw transferred to Memphis. He played at Ohio State this year.
I read Coward is visiting Duke on Sunday. This is the guy from the portal I really want. Him and Evans at the 2/3 would be nice.

 

[christophero]

Update on Gilbert Arenas's son. He is doing better, no longer in a coma but still on a respirator. So not out of the woods yet from what I have read. His car was on fire so there could be significant damage to his lungs. Very sad.

 

[miller2025]

Kentucky has the number one portal class. St. John's is in the top 5 as well. Not sure how many returnees they have. Kentucky's former 5 star center Bradshaw transferred to Memphis. He played at Ohio State this year.
I read Coward is visiting Duke on Sunday. This is the guy from the portal I really want. Him and Evans at the 2/3 would be nice.

Why Coward over a player like Jamir Watkins from FSU?

 

[christophero]

I like Coward's game and he seems like a good defender and fit.

 

[CbusDukie]

Risk with Coward is he stays in the draft. Duke really needs an impact 3

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Why Coward over a player like Jamir Watkins from FSU?

I would like Watkins too..either or

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Anyone know if Sarr announced? Are we still in the hunt if he didn't?

 

[pisgah101]

Anyone know if Sarr announced? Are we still in the hunt if he didn't?

From what I see he didn’t declare

 

[christophero]

Based on the little (zero) info Duke has released it sounds like Coward is #1 option and Dame is 2. I'd prefer Coward as he is a senior and we are very young at the moment. Unless they only release info to the paying forums, which seems a little elitist. I'm too cheap to pay for stuff like that. My guess is we bring in 2 rotation guys and 2 or 3 Kale Catchings like practice guys. Coward is mid second round, so he likely comes back to school.

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Based on the little (zero) info Duke has released it sounds like Coward is #1 option and Dame is 2. I'd prefer Coward as he is a senior and we are very young at the moment. Unless they only release info to the paying forums, which seems a little elitist. I'm too cheap to pay for stuff like that. My guess is we bring in 2 rotation guys and 2 or 3 Kale Catchings like practice guys. Coward is mid second round, so he likely comes back to school.

 

[christophero]

I guess we could bring in both but we likely just get one. Mal leaving definitely frees up some NIL $. Dame might go pro he is rated higher than Coward.

 

[CbusDukie]

Was Coward’s rotator cuff injury this year on his shooting shoulder?

I think it’s a floor/ceiling discussion. Sarr’s ceiling is a lottery pick - he was made in a lab to be a NBA wing. If you think Khamenia can give you solid minutes then I think you go for the upside of Sarr. I think he could be a devastating defender in college.

 

[pisgah101]

I think we’re in a situation we need both(or 2 impact players I should say)

 

[JimboSlice00]

Risk with Coward is he stays in the draft. Duke really needs an impact 3

For sure need a major transfer to come in and be instant impact. As of right now, roster is good, but not great. If the season were to start tomorrow, today’s roster is ranked 12-15 range. Solid, but underwhelming. I’m sure Jon has it all lined up behind closed doors.

 

[christophero]

Even if we get Coward and another transfer that is likely a good but not great team. There is talent so of course we will be good, but maybe not a 1 seed/frontrunner type team like this year. Which is fine.

 

[HeelsShmeels]

With no injuries the team could gel into a 2 seed or so without adding any firepower.
But probably need at least a couple of the right guys to have the depth required.

 

[sheyduke]

As far as what I’ve read and seen. Coward is the only player Duke is highly after. I think he will go through the draft process fully. He’s only ranked in the second round right now do to his injury but he could show out and move up to the late first round . Saw where PaJa’s son is down to UNC, Illinois and Stanford .

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Whoever we do or don't get, I think it'll come down to how Foster plays. Of all the positions, our weakest link right now looks to be guard play

 

[sheyduke]

Whoever we do or don't get, I think it'll come down to how Foster plays. Of all the positions, our weakest link right now looks to be guard play

We have Foster, Cayden, Evans and Harris . If Duke gets a pg it will be for practice unless a late name pops up . All signs are pointing to Duke looking at the sf spots with Coward and possibly Sarr.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Our chance to win a title was this season and it slipped from our grasp. I hope we can reload and make a run but I am tempering my expectations for another FF run or title.

 

[The_Only_Blue]

We have Foster, Cayden, Evans and Harris . If Duke gets a pg it will be for practice unless a late name pops up . All signs are pointing to Duke looking at the sf spots with Coward and possibly Sarr.

Understand but other Foster, the others don't have much experience especially with ball handling

 

[christophero]

It will be interesting to see if we bring in another pg. Assuming we get Coward and the reclass forward. Jon went all in last year and it paid off. We will miss Cooper and Kon's playmaking skills.

 

[hart2chesson]

We have Foster, Cayden, Evans and Harris . If Duke gets a pg it will be for practice unless a late name pops up . All signs are pointing to Duke looking at the sf spots with Coward and possibly Sarr.

I will GLADLY take either, and one more big.

OFC

 

[christophero]

If Boozer is an impact freshman guard we will be fine. His high school ranking suggests he could be or could need a year to adjust. Then we could roll out 2 Boozers, Coward or Dame, Evans and Pat. Brown, Foster, Harris and the freshman wing off the bench. Still need 2 more guys as it is written in blood we will have at least 2 injuries. That is not as good a team as this year but we won't have to play them.
Can Proctor return or has that ship sailed?

 

[sheyduke]

Understand but other Foster, the others don't have much experience especially with ball handling

They say Cayden is a pg .

 

[sheyduke]

If Boozer is an impact freshman guard we will be fine. His high school ranking suggests he could be or could need a year to adjust. Then we could roll out 2 Boozers, Coward or Dame, Evans and Pat. Brown, Foster, Harris and the freshman wing off the bench. Still need 2 more guys as it is written in blood we will have at least 2 injuries. That is not a good team as this year but we won't have to play them.
Can Proctor return or has that ship sailed?

I think he entered with all intentions of not returning .

 

[sheyduke]

Our chance to win a title was this season and it slipped from our grasp. I hope we can reload and make a run but I am tempering my expectations for another FF run or title.

Bleed, IMO. It all depends if Duke can get balanced scoring a defense . Right now the PF and C spots look legit . We have two combo’s in Foster and Cayden( some say Cayden is a good pg ) . Then we have Evans and Harris that can play sg and spread the court . As it stands right now with out any additions I think you see Harris and Khamenia split time at SF .

 

[christophero]

Nothing against Harris or Khamenia but if they start we are in trouble. Jon will upgrade the 3. They are fine as depth pieces who may eventually start.

 

[dadecodevil]

I look at these mocks with ten teams in front of us, who on St. John's would we want on our squad? I get Purdue because they kept their core, but how far did that core make it, and who from them not named Braden would we want? I like our squad alot with just 1 more guy, even though we are thin in the front court.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Khamenia is very good

 

[christophero]

Houston, Texas Tech and UConn will be tough. BYU, Michigan, Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky. Iowa State returns a lot. St. John's. Louisville will be better. Not really a dominant team right now.

 

[CbusDukie]

Nothing against Harris or Khamenia but if they start we are in trouble. Jon will upgrade the 3. They are fine as depth pieces who may eventually start.

I want an impact wing but not sure the difference between an April 2024 Kon and an April 2025 Khamenia.