Off-season thoughts

[JimboSlice00]

wouldn’t that be reason to worry about our defense? i worry about our guard defense losing soon and proctor, wing defense losing cooper, and interior defense losing maluach.

the progress of evans, big pat, and the rest of the returners make is directly tied to our defense.

and there’s no denying we lack the length and talent cooper and maluach brought

Cooper was once a decade type of talent so there will be some level of drop off there. However, the roster as of today does not lack length at all as Duke will once again be one of the longest teams in the country. As of today, their starting 5 would be 6’5, 6’6, 6’6, 6’9 & 6’11. Cayden would be the smallest player in the rotation and he’s 6’4.

 

[pisgah101]

No sir

Good. Do you think we try to add any more impact players or just fill the roster?

 

[christophero]

I think we add role player depth. Yes we could improve our team on paper if we brought in more studs, but I bitch about recruiting over returning players so we shouldn't do that. You have to trust the returning guys. Maybe a Gillis/Young type player but guys like him and Brown and Sion don't grow on trees. Coward makes us very solid with Evans on the wing. So Foster and small Boozer might determine our ceiling assuming big Boozer is all he's being hyped up to be.
All that said if Sarr decided to come that could make us elite. But with Coward here he probably goes elsewhere.

 

[smashmouth5]

 

[gstarr]

No sir

With Coward in are we still recruiting Sarr?

 

[youngman42]

Hope so. A good point guard should average at least 5 assists a game.

I think he has those tools

Caleb has a solid handle and the physicality to drive the lane. And plays hard nosed. It’s hard not to really like him and the spirit he brings.

The challenge for Foster is finishing and outside shooting. He doesn’t have touch around the rim or long range; and he’s not a pure shooter so even tho he will hit a few, he doesn’t have confidence or form to be a consistent outside shooter. And he puts up bricks even on drives.

The name of the game is defense—inside and out (including rebounding)—and shooting. We have a rebound machine in Boozer and Ngongba is solid on both ends. He’s also a very good post scorer and passer.

I am hopeful Cam Boozer will be a confident 3 point shooter right away.

And now Coward should help the outside shooting a lot.

But Caleb has to find a way to finish in his drives. Then the opportunities will open up. But he drives a lot and can’t finish.

Typically players who can’t shoot well early don’t shoot well. It’s just not his game and that will limit him.

Like a lot of players. Caleb can score when he is relaxed against lesser competition. But when it a a good opponent he doesn’t have the inherent shooting ability and touch to remain relaxed and confident. He will have to significantly improve his touch and outside shooting to be a major factor.

 

[youngman42]

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

Cayden doesn’t have experience but he can handle and play the point. That’s where his game is going to be. He’s a good passer, can drive the ball, and works hard on D. I am not worried about ball handling with those two. It will be at least as good or better than last year.

But shooting is a concern. We don’t have a Kon but Coward will likely be the go to 3 point shooter along with Slim. But still, you need 3 good perimeter shooters who consistently hit from 3. Right now Coward and Slim are the guys.

But Slim has to get stronger to improve his D and stay in the court. Then he needs to be more judicious in his shot selection. He’s a great shooter but has to be able to play 25+ minutes of consistent D.

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Almost the whole interview with Coward. Do I dare say Sion 2.0? Seems like a a great person, team oriented and well spoken.

 

[CbusDukie]

The host seem to think there is a decent chance he stays in the draft

 

[JimboSlice00]

I highly doubt Jon puts as much effort into a high impact transfer like Coward if there’s a strong belief he stays in the draft. There were others he could have gone after, but seems to have prioritized Coward. He can go from early 2nd round pick to first round pick solely on the TV time he will now have with Duke.

 

[timo0402]

The host seem to think there is a decent chance he stays in the draft

They would be incorrect

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Evans in there as an early entrant. I'm guessing just to get feedback.

 

[timo0402]

Evans in there as an early entrant. I'm guessing just to get feedback.

View embedded media

Good move for Slim

 

[sheyduke]

wouldn’t that be reason to worry about our defense? i worry about our guard defense losing soon and proctor, wing defense losing cooper, and interior defense losing maluach.

the progress of evans, big pat, and the rest of the returners make is directly tied to our defense.

and there’s no denying we lack the length and talent cooper and maluach brought

Defense will come . I want the offense of Evans and Harris to become more than one dimensional. I want to see Foster attack the basket with force off the dribble and get to the line and make them . By me saying progress I was speaking more on the offensive stand point as I’m sure many wore already told the defense will need to picked up as well.
I think the height of Cameron, Big Pat , Brown and Khamenia is a good replacement for Mal and Flag . Let’s not forget Brown was starting over Mal prior to the injury’s stacking up on him.

 

[hart2chesson]

I highly doubt Jon puts as much effort into a high impact transfer like Coward if there’s a strong belief he stays in the draft. There were others he could have gone after, but seems to have prioritized Coward. He can go from early 2nd round pick to first round pick solely on the TV time he will now have with Duke.

Jimbo all good points. I cannot believe Jon would have put so much drive into recruiting Cedric if he were worried about CC going pro.Marvelous business decision always to pick us for maximum exposure.

OFC

 

[christophero]

Henderson leaving likely freed up some NIL. If Coward gets 2 mil it lessons the chance he goes to the draft.

 

[christophero]

I could save Evans some time and let him know what he needs to work on. Other board speculating we could lose one wing to the draft. I think they come back.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Caleb has a solid handle and the physicality to drive the lane. And plays hard nosed. It’s hard not to really like him and the spirit he brings.

The challenge for Foster is finishing and outside shooting. He doesn’t have touch around the rim or long range; and he’s not a pure shooter so even tho he will hit a few, he doesn’t have confidence or form to be a consistent outside shooter. And he puts up bricks even on drives.

The name of the game is defense—inside and out (including rebounding)—and shooting. We have a rebound machine in Boozer and Ngongba is solid on both ends. He’s also a very good post scorer and passer.

I am hopeful Cam Boozer will be a confident 3 point shooter right away.

And now Coward should help the outside shooting a lot.

But Caleb has to find a way to finish in his drives. Then the opportunities will open up. But he drives a lot and can’t finish.

Typically players who can’t shoot well early don’t shoot well. It’s just not his game and that will limit him.

Like a lot of players. Caleb can score when he is relaxed against lesser competition. But when it a a good opponent he doesn’t have the inherent shooting ability and touch to remain relaxed and confident. He will have to significantly improve his touch and outside shooting to be a major factor.

Foster has scored against some strong competition (Michigan State and Baylor both in 2023) come to mind. Foster was a starter before he got injured in 2024 during ACC play. Caleb was playing great before the injury. If I recall correctly he took the starting role from Roach or Proctor prior to his injury.

Really want to see Foster build from his strong finish from the Regular Season finale and 2025 post season

 

[sheyduke]

I could save Evans some time and let him know what he needs to work on. Other board speculating we could lose one wing to the draft. I think they come back.

It isn’t that far fetched . Evans could turn some heads and get a late first round promise.

 

[christophero]

And there is his super enthusiastic response of "yaeh" when asked if he is returning lol. My hope is Coward and Evans at the 2 and 3.

 

[bullcity gamer]

If Evans gets a promise of a 1st round selection from an NBA Owner then I don’t blame him for leaving.

If you are a 1st Rounder you leave and go earn your paycheck unless you just really enjoy the college experience.

 

[christophero]

NIL can compete with second round but not first round. Plus one and done seems to carry status for a lot of guys.
CBS has us at 9 with Coward. St. John's is #3 muhaha. Houston #2 Purdue 1. Pitino got 3 former 5 stars from the portal. 9 seems low for Duke but we may be returning to pre Cooper averages. The Flip teams were rated in that range preseason.

 

[pisgah101]

NIL can compete with second round but not first round. Plus one and done seems to carry status for a lot of guys.
CBS has us at 9 with Coward. St. John's is #3 muhaha. Houston #2 Purdue 1. Pitino got 3 former 5 stars from the portal. 9 seems low for Duke but we may be returning to pre Cooper averages. The Flip teams were rated in that range preseason.

We were preseason 7 last year.. 2 the year before.. 7 the year before. 9 in 22 and 21. The 9 in 2010 and 4 in 2015.

This tells me preseason rankings mean nothing


I will be very shocked if we aren’t better then Jon’s first 2 season next year if Evans stays and coward comes

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Evans isn't leaving.

 

[dukecorey]

Evans isn't leaving.

I agree I don’t believe either Evans or Coward will stay in the draft.

 

[dadecodevil]

I agree I don’t believe either Evans or Coward will stay in the draft.

I just saw a mock with neither of them in it. 2nd round at best imo. With NIL, who wants to play in Sioux Falls for $400k?

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Didn't see Sarr's name on the NBA list. Anyone know latest with him?

 

[christophero]

I just saw a mock with neither of them in it. 2nd round at best imo. With NIL, who wants to play in Sioux Falls for $400k?

Proctor?
Just kidding Tyrese I want you back.

 

[dadecodevil]

Proctor?

Touche' 😅 but I also heard there is something to foreign players getting NIL, so there may be something there.

 

[christophero]

Yeah Tyrese will be okay.

 

[Dattier]

If if if he withdraws from the draft and comes to Duke, I really want us to start referring to him by his first name, or a nickname thereof: Cedric or Ced, as opposed to Yellowbelly or Bawk-bawk-bawk-bu-CAWK!

 

[hart2chesson]

The fact Evans entered the day after the Coward commitment is somewhat unnerving.

OFC

 

[NCirishman]

The fact Evans entered the day after the Coward commitment is somewhat unnerving.

OFC

I agree. I think he comes back but nothing would surprise me with Evans.

If he comes back I hope he works his ass off on his handle, his footwork, and shot selection.

They all three were subpar this past year.

 

[christophero]

The fact Evans entered the day after the Coward commitment is somewhat unnerving.

OFC

I'm not worried about it. But it was being discussed on the other board. They can start at the 2 and 3, but they do kind of play the same position.

 

[pisgah101]

The fact Evans entered the day after the Coward commitment is somewhat unnerving.

OFC

He didn’t. The deadline was Saturday. He had already placed his name.

 

[hart2chesson]

He didn’t. The deadline was Saturday. He had already placed his name.

Thanks Pisg, that's a tad reassuring.

OFC

 

[bullcity gamer]

Foster
Evans
Coward
Cameron
Ngongba

Brown
Khamenia
Harris
Cayden

My hope is Duke adds 1 shot blocker/lob threat PF/C from the portal then Duke will be 2 deep at each position.

PG - Foster/Cayden
SG - Evans/Harris
SF - Coward/Khamenia
PF - Cameron/
C - Ngongba/Brown

 

[sheyduke]

Foster
Evans
Coward
Cameron
Ngongba

Brown
Khamenia
Harris
Cayden

My hope is Duke adds 1 shot blocker/lob threat PF/C from the portal then Duke will be 2 deep at each position.

PG - Foster/Cayden
SG - Evans/Harris
SF - Coward/Khamenia
PF - Cameron/
C - Ngongba/Brown

When would he play ? Thats my question. Or rather it will be hard to find a center or PF to be third string .

 

[christophero]

I think we need some insurance for Brown. Great player but injury prone, at least last year. I think he had an injury at Cuse too.

 

[Willcampbell]

Foster
Evans
Coward
Cameron
Ngongba

Brown
Khamenia
Harris
Cayden

My hope is Duke adds 1 shot blocker/lob threat PF/C from the portal then Duke will be 2 deep at each position.

PG - Foster/Cayden
SG - Evans/Harris
SF - Coward/Khamenia
PF - Cameron/
C - Ngongba/Brown

Oh boy, I can feel it comin' (in the air tonight), Oh Lord........the "minutes" discussion. Can't wait.
OFC