Official game day thread- Duke at Arizona

[pisgah101]

⏰ 10:30
📺 espn2
📍 AZ


After a near week break we return to action for our 2nd ranked opponent in 3 games. The Arizona wildcats are 2-1 on the season with a fairly convincing loss to Wisconsin. The wildcats return everyone’s favorite guard.. especially Deja Kelly- Caleb love!! Arizona is coached by Tommy Lloyd in his 4th season

Duke is currently a 1.5 point favorite and I have a feeling we play well enough to win. I think we’ll look rough in the first half- at least the first 10 min and might even get a visit from koach but we right the ship and leave the desert with a W

Duke-85
Zona-79

 

[christophero]

I've longed for us to play true road games out of conference so here we are. The Kentucky loss makes this game seem more important. This is the type of game coach K would win. Time to step up Jon. I think we get it done; but this is gonna be a tough test. Would love to see Evans but Brown needs to step up for us. If we get rolled the critics will come out. Would be a great win to get under our belt for a mostly new team.
Duke 83
Arizona 79

 

[The_Only_Blue]

I know it's not and it's way early but it almost feels like a must win situation. Hoping no cramps/ injuries and we get to see some Evans in the game

 

[hart2chesson]

I know it's not and it's way early but it almost feels like a must win situation. Hoping no cramps/ injuries and we get to see some Evans in the game

I think you're on to something @The_Only_Blue ... It does "almost feel like a must win situation." I only say this because bracketology experts(including one little ESPN Fat Man), kept talking last year about Duke's WAY EARLY loss at home to Arizona. If the talking heads have another L to couple with Kentucky loss, I feel Duke can kiss a #1 seed goodbye.

Yes, this is pretty much a "must win" for said reason.I look for Kon to play quite well tonite, and rebound from a miserable showing vs Kentucky. Duke prevails, 91-86.

OFC

 

[Friction.]

Just don’t like this game for us and think we drop a close one with the difference being playing on the road (think we win on a neutral floor).

Watched the Wisc game and the Badgers played out of their minds and AZ got a really tough whistle. Seemed like every possession AZ was called for a foul so they struggled playing pressure D. HIGHLY doubt that will happen tonight which means they will play very aggressive and at best we would get an even-foul-count game. This means we need to be ultra aggressive to even it out.

We do actually match up pretty well. Proctor will get the assignment on Bradley. Huge test for Khaman against their bigs and trying to win the REB game. AZ really likes to run so will be interesting to see if Jon wants to go with his normal/slower tempo that he’s ran the last few seasons or if we try to run. Hot take - I think the X-factor will be Sion. He is literally built for this type of game. Hot take #2 - I don’t think we see Evans in this game b/c it will be a battle where defense is too much a premium.

Unfortunately if we drop this game, the rabid fans will be going after Jon. Still think we are a 30+ win team by the end of the season.

 

[Mac9192]

I want to see balance. I’m thinking Jon and the rest of the team learned from the Kentucky game. We have at least 9 guys that can play, so unless at least one of them are hot, no one should play more than 34-35 minutes.

 

[timo0402]

Went on an Arizona podcast this week to discuss the game. Check it out before tonight’s matchup!

 

[Neue Regel]

I know it's not and it's way early but it almost feels like a must win situation. Hoping no cramps/ injuries and we get to see some Evans in the game

It really does have a must win feel unfortunately. If you can’t beat ranked teams, then you’re not elite even though it’s super early but as has been mentioned, Jon hasn’t been impressive in name matchups like this thus far in his Coaching career and he’s gonna have a new team every year so the youth thing is a non-starter in this era. With the portal/NIL all the name schools are going to be in the same boat with much fewer returnees as well.

Love will try his hero ball crap with the usual chucking 3’s from the 3rd row.

 

[christophero]

Definitely feels like this one could go either way.

 

[sheyduke]

Duke

 

[christophero]

Arizona is now a 1.5 point favorite.

 

[sheyduke]

Arizona is now a 1.5 point favorite.

That’s because everyone thinks Duke is a one to two pony show . The team needs to come out tonight and imo, throttle Arizona. A one to five point win won’t change any ones mind .

 

[pisgah101]

That’s because everyone thinks Duke is a one to two pony show . The team needs to come out tonight and imo, throttle Arizona. A one to five point win won’t change any ones mind .

Agree

 

[JimboSlice00]

Duke 78
Arizona 84

 

[christophero]

CBS Sports now has Auburn ranked number 2. We need to win tonight.

 

[Dad2ze]

I feel like Live is gonna turn into Steph Curry tonight and blister is again. I hope not but….

Zona - 86
Duke - 81

 

[sheyduke]

Duke 78
Arizona 84

Huh? Come on guys . They didn’t blister us last year and I would say this team is way better put together.

 

[dukesince91]

If we don’t win by 6 plus points, I will be disappointed. I think this is the most talented team from top to bottom that Jon will have for a while. We will see how much he learned from the Kentucky game.
Duke 86-78

 

[JimboSlice00]

Huh? Come on guys . They didn’t blister us last year and I would say this team is way better put together.

Hope I’m wrong Shey. Road game in a very hostile environment with a team that’s led by two freshman will be tough. These early matchups are difficult. Not a very bold take.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Woah, woah, woah, everyone take a deep breath and relax.

This is not a “must win game” unless the 2 games against Unc, Kansas, Auburn, and Illinois have all gotten cancelled? Plenty of opportunity to build a strong resume even with a loss tonight. A loss to a ranked team on a neutral court and a loss to a ranked team in their house does not prohibit a team from getting a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Be Logical here people.

Think it will be a tough game tonight, but I see Duke winning by at least 7 points tonigh.

I am sitting at a Pizzeria/Taphouse enjoying some food and beverages while doning my Blue Devil hoodie in Arizona. Sorry Chris, Michelob Ultras for me haha!

Let’s Go Blue Devils!

 

[sheyduke]

Hope I’m wrong Shey. Road game in a very hostile environment with a team that’s led by two freshman will be tough. These early matchups are difficult. Not a very bold take.

I’m not scared let’s go. It’s only November

 

[bullcity gamer]

That’s The Spirit Shey!

 

[Dad2ze]

How many times does Jay B mention Caleb Love and the shot

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Kinda getting 3 ball happy.

 

[denverexpat]

interesting start...chaotic as usual on the offensive end...taking shots that are ill advised....but matching intensity.

 

[christophero]

I said this in preseason. Shooting threes is not an offense.

 

[denverexpat]

3 happy....run some offense...no inside pass etc....business as usual...

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Mal with the 3... Still not an ideal shot

 

[denverexpat]

would love to see a PG drive and hit a short jumper...regularly....aka Jones etc ....lost skill

 

[youngman42]

I said this in preseason. Shooting threes is not an offense.

It’s the same issue with the UK game.

Defense has been solid at times.

I just don’t get why Knueppel is starting. He has some poise and competence. But I don’t think he is a lottery pick. He is not a very good defender. He struggles to get his shot from 3. And he’s been inconsistent shooting. It’s one thing to shoot in practice it’s another in a game with tens of thousands and national TV.

I’d rather see Brown start at PF along with Maluach (his defense and length is much better) or Sion. I love Brown’s game. He’s not a C. He should play the 4.

 

[LetsGoDuke83]

I don’t see what Gillis does for this team at all, maybe something will change

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Kon is in a serious matchup problem. Unless he can hit shots he's not of much use out there

 

[ioliva]

It’s the same issue with the UK game.

Defense has been solid at times.

I just don’t get why Knueppel is starting. He has some poise and competence. But I don’t think he is a lottery pick. He is not a very good defender. He struggles to get his shot from 3. And he’s been inconsistent shooting. It’s one thing to shoot in practice it’s another in a game with tens of thousands and national TV.

I’d rather see Brown start at PF along with Maluach (his defense and length is much better) or Sion. I love Brown’s game. He’s not a C. He should play the 4.

Yeah maybe kon isn’t as good as we thought. And maybe we aren’t as good of a shooting team as we thought either.

 

[denverexpat]

when we drive the lane we dont seem to know what we want that to accomplish...Gillis drove and then had no idea what he was doing..still dont see any offensive plan...just a bunch of good basketball players trying to get a basket

 

[christophero]

It's easy to hit threes against Maine.

 

[youngman42]

That should have been an and-1 for Knueppel. Good drive.

But James is killing it. I love him. Physical. Guards. Plays within himself. Has explosiveness and power. Mature.

 

[Duke Blu]

I like James with the ball in his hand. I would like to see Harris and Evans get a shot. Foster and Kon Nipple haven’t earned the right to stay out there without having to worry or compete for time. And kudos to Proctor for being consistent so far this year.

 

[denverexpat]

James is a versatile player..he needs to get more shots...reminds me of Winslow...but it seems others want to shoot more than they want us to score

 

[christophero]

7 point halftime lead. So far, so good.

 

[pisgah101]

James is good. We’re in control. Wondering why we didn’t play mal or foster much..


Real hot take- we get year 2 from Kon