Yes, if it is Thornton welcome home . He is one of my favorite players as a “ Duke” guy and alumni.
Off-season thoughts
- Thread starter pisgah101
- Start date
Read an article that said when Will Avery joined Duke they still had one more assistant spot open . I think Jai was already on staff at that time .
Nevermind . Just read Thornton is taking Avery’s spot but nothing on why Avery left .
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Pisgah I agree Thornton and Hairston were not the most talented, but they played to their potential, which is all you can ask for. I’ve visited with both of them, they are both nice guys. I know Hairston is an agent for quite a few Duke Blue Devils.
Seriously? He’s a Duke guy . The ultimate stay four years and make the most out of your playing time . He went from an after thought to a contributor. He also has prior coaching experience outside of Duke . This is the ultimate stay four years and see what you can achieve coach. In the new age of college basketball where no one wants to wait any more . Who better to show how it can pan out?
Is he not a part of the brotherhood? Or is that title only held for OAD’s?
He could have transferred but he stayed the course . In a new era where kids no longer want to wait who better to show how to adapt and learn ?
Testy much shey? Goodness is he your son or something? When it’s first reported its cook then ends up being Thornton it’s a bit of a letdown. Sorry for getting ya upset
That’s fair enough. I went back and saw Thornton was only a 3* which is impressive for what he contributed. Good to know that about Hairston as well
I never thought Cook was done playing. Sorry for coming off harsh but he could have bolted from Duke but stayed .
Cook hasn’t shown much intrest in coaching but pushes the Duke brand . Much like Dawkins .
I just don’t like it when four year players who wore the Duke name proudly and cut out a name for their self aren’t appreciated for returning home . Not saying Pisgah that’s what you were doing or anyone was . But when a day freshman bench players aren’t staying . I think Tyler can really help out and help develop them and give them a clear understanding of what it takes at this level .
Makes sense I hope he can. I do like this isn’t his first coaching gig and I know he should be able to teach grit, toughness, and D
I’m curious as to why he left as well feels out of the blue. And if Tyler can teach shooting ala end of Kansas in Maui he can teach it all day lol
Most good coaches were not great players but know the game. Thornton worked hard on defense and coach K liked him.
Andre Dawkins reclassified and came a year earlier, then took a redshirt year for emotional reasons related to the death of his sister.
Tyler hit a crucial 3 in that 2012 comeback at UNC, where Austin Rivers hit my all-time favorite shot in the rivalry for the win at the buzzer.
Khamenia. Do not forget about him. He will be a major factor at the 3.
Hope he gives us the Kon surprise
A Duke insider on DBR seemed surprised Wilkins was not in people's rotation projections and thinks he will very much be in the mix.
I know most rotations don't go 10 deep, and depending on how Nik and Dame progress, I would think Wilkins needs to be in the rotation.
I mean if Duke uses Khamenia at SF a lot then that leaves Wilkins backing up Boozer . Let’s not forget foul situations as well so I can see him getting minutes.
Love that we have Louisville home and away. Given that they are the other top ACC team who are likely to be the stiffest competition. That will make for two good competitive games.
Tho I think NCSU will be tough. And hate that our one game will be at their house. We always struggle in their place.
We seem to have a zillion 6’7-6’9 guys, lol.
Sarr, Wilkins, Khamenia, Brown, Boozer. Good length at the 3/4.
Sarr has a 7-foot wingspan. I’ve watched him some and he has solid 3, can drive with the ball, is athletic, and his length will create some steals. Certainly won’t bring what Coward would have in maturity and experience as well as near NBA ready talent (such a let down there). But good rotational guy who played against a lot of men so he should develop into a solid player.
Not as great a team as last year but I don’t have any real concerns on this roster. Great length. Good depth. Strong rebounding. And should have enough from 3 with Evans, Sarr, Cam Boozer, and Khamenia. And occasionally from Caleb (who shot better from 3 as a frosh but can do okay).
Caleb Foster is a fine ball handler, imo. And really showed a lot of moxie in the tournament. I thought he should have got minutes in the second half v Houston and might have helped get us over the hump.
His real weakness has been his inability to finish well. He needs to work on touch around the rim and losing control on drives. If he can get some control and work on his touch around the rim he should be fine.
I thought this was an excellent discussion on Duke on the whole, not just Sarr. Especially love the point that the Boozers just don’t lose. In fact they beat Cooper Flagg’s teams multiple times.
Sarr, Wilkins, Khamenia, Brown, Boozer. Good length at the 3/4.
Sarr has a 7-foot wingspan. I’ve watched him some and he has solid 3, can drive with the ball, is athletic, and his length will create some steals. Certainly won’t bring what Coward would have in maturity and experience as well as near NBA ready talent (such a let down there). But good rotational guy who played against a lot of men so he should develop into a solid player.
Not as great a team as last year but I don’t have any real concerns on this roster. Great length. Good depth. Strong rebounding. And should have enough from 3 with Evans, Sarr, Cam Boozer, and Khamenia. And occasionally from Caleb (who shot better from 3 as a frosh but can do okay).
Caleb Foster is a fine ball handler, imo. And really showed a lot of moxie in the tournament. I thought he should have got minutes in the second half v Houston and might have helped get us over the hump.
His real weakness has been his inability to finish well. He needs to work on touch around the rim and losing control on drives. If he can get some control and work on his touch around the rim he should be fine.
I thought this was an excellent discussion on Duke on the whole, not just Sarr. Especially love the point that the Boozers just don’t lose. In fact they beat Cooper Flagg’s teams multiple times.
This is a solid video on Sarr. Someone (can’t recall who —sorry— and didn’t want to go look lol) mentioned they thought his shot release was too low. I don’t see that at all. In fact I always thought Proctor’s was a bit too low. But I think Sarr’s is higher. Even shoots a couple of 3s with a guy in his face. His catch and release is a little be slow in terms of getting set. But if Scheyer will put Sarr and Evans on the court at the same time, and even Khamenia, and they get their passes off, someone should be open for 3 and all 3 should hit.
And don’t sleep on Cayden Boozer getting minutes and showing good passing abilities.
And don’t sleep on Cayden Boozer getting minutes and showing good passing abilities.
Exactly my thought. Playing ability doesn’t directly correspond to coaching ability.
So just a loose breakdown, to me:
1–Foster, Boozer, Harris (?)
2–Evans, Sarr, Boozer, Khamenia, Sheffield, Harris
3–Khamenia, Sarr, Wilkins, Brown
4–Cam Boozer, Wilkins, Brown
5–Ngongba, Brown, Boozer
9 with strong potential to see legit minutes:
Foster, Cay Boozer, Evans, Sarr, Khamenia, Cam Boozer, Brown, Ngongba, Wilkins.
Several with potential to hit 3s consistently. But lacking some maturity so that will be one Achilles heel there.
The other thing I think could be a challenge is mature physicality at the perimeter. That has been a major factor in men’s CBB the past few years with the play of teams like Houston, Tennessee, et al. who play more hockey and football on the court than basketball, lol. Foster hopefully will get even stronger and show the way there. Sion was an enormous factor there. Something we hadn’t seen maybe ever at Duke at that spot.
Maybe Khamenia will be able to bring some. Khamenia is 6’8, 215 and can handle the rock. So he could be a huge factor for us.
1–Foster, Boozer, Harris (?)
2–Evans, Sarr, Boozer, Khamenia, Sheffield, Harris
3–Khamenia, Sarr, Wilkins, Brown
4–Cam Boozer, Wilkins, Brown
5–Ngongba, Brown, Boozer
9 with strong potential to see legit minutes:
Foster, Cay Boozer, Evans, Sarr, Khamenia, Cam Boozer, Brown, Ngongba, Wilkins.
Several with potential to hit 3s consistently. But lacking some maturity so that will be one Achilles heel there.
The other thing I think could be a challenge is mature physicality at the perimeter. That has been a major factor in men’s CBB the past few years with the play of teams like Houston, Tennessee, et al. who play more hockey and football on the court than basketball, lol. Foster hopefully will get even stronger and show the way there. Sion was an enormous factor there. Something we hadn’t seen maybe ever at Duke at that spot.
Maybe Khamenia will be able to bring some. Khamenia is 6’8, 215 and can handle the rock. So he could be a huge factor for us.
Great breakdown here. As for the physicality on the perimeter, hopefully that won’t be as big of an issue as it’s been since the extra virus year is done. Hoping that helps us slightly in that regard.
