Official game day thread- Duke vs Seattle U
- Thread starter pisgah101
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Defense is the bright spot of this team thus far.
It sure ain’t offense.
What are your predictions on Auburn and Illinois coming up? I've heard both teams are good. Auburn has beaten North Carolina, Iowa State and Memphis. Illinois lost to Arkansas. IF we can beat Auburn we could win both.
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I am confident Duke wins both. Auburn will be the more challenging opponent imo, because the game is earlier in the season and Auburn is playing really well, I see the margin being no greater than 6 points either way. Duke against Illinois in NYC in late February I like Duke by 10+ points, because by then hopefully Duke will have a lot of their issues figured out and a stable rotation.
What are your predictions Chris?
What are your predictions Chris?
I think we took two steps backwards tonight. Maybe we get this sh!t out of our system before the Auburn game.
I think we can win both. I also think Auburn can beat us. I'm not worried about not looking good today, long trip and Thanksgiving yesterday.
Good to great defense at times, ugly as hell offense, and we've also missed some easy shots you'd think we would typically knockdown. But our offense isn't scaring anyone right now.
Huh? He’s come in and given a scoring punch tonight and the other games he’s been given an opportunity. Granted, weaker teams, but he indeed provides a scoring punch.
Off the bench, outside of brown and Sion, who do you feel should have more minutes if not him?
In my opinion, Evans has shown he should get a shot when Kon or Gillis are out there shooting 0-45 vs good competition. Kid is talented and i saw nothing tonight to change my mind.
I don’t see this team coming close to beating Auburn. Shooting way too many 3s even against Seattle. They were 10-36 from 3 tonight. Most of those they could take 3-4 steps in and knock down a 2. Anyways…it’s Duke basketball. Live by the 3 and die by the 3.
Agree. Good news is we don’t play til Wednesday. The bad news is the team we play, plays an organized chaos style of ball.
Was out and about and just got done watching. Bad start. Maybe just tired/jet lag/ time zone change? We shot too many 3's again. Nice to see Evans get in the game during when it's not garbage time. Wished Harris got more burn. Is it me or does it seem he seem to be not into it? Maybe that's just the way he is?
One thing about Evans is you can tell he's not afraid to shoot the ball. Feel that he's very confident in his shot even if it doesn't go in
Found the 20 minutes condensed game and will give my impressions. I didn't see the game.
1. I know people are tired of hearing this but what offense are we running. I see 4 guys standing at the 3 point line on 3 straight possessions. Mal sets a weak screen; it doesn't get anyone open. Compare that to Zoubek's crisp ball screens.
2. Kon is playing very well.
3. Proctor playing with a lot of confidence.
4. Brown's D is impressive. He got beat and then blocked his man's shot from behind.
5. Sion with some tough D. He sticks to his man like glue.
6. Cooper making a point of driving but he's getting knocked around. He's good but the poor FT shooting could bite us.
Evans with a 3. I like his swagger.
7. Neat spin move by Foster. He also hit a 3. Good for his confidence.
8. Proctor is starting to look like an NBA guard. I don't think we see a junior Proctor.
9. Evans with the flush! This guy needs minutes, and I think he gets that. Jon said "he has earned the right to play." Good; we need his scoring.
10. I thought we looked pretty good considering. Auburn will be a war; I expect a close one.
1. I know people are tired of hearing this but what offense are we running. I see 4 guys standing at the 3 point line on 3 straight possessions. Mal sets a weak screen; it doesn't get anyone open. Compare that to Zoubek's crisp ball screens.
2. Kon is playing very well.
3. Proctor playing with a lot of confidence.
4. Brown's D is impressive. He got beat and then blocked his man's shot from behind.
5. Sion with some tough D. He sticks to his man like glue.
6. Cooper making a point of driving but he's getting knocked around. He's good but the poor FT shooting could bite us.
Evans with a 3. I like his swagger.
7. Neat spin move by Foster. He also hit a 3. Good for his confidence.
8. Proctor is starting to look like an NBA guard. I don't think we see a junior Proctor.
9. Evans with the flush! This guy needs minutes, and I think he gets that. Jon said "he has earned the right to play." Good; we need his scoring.
10. I thought we looked pretty good considering. Auburn will be a war; I expect a close one.
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The thing with Evans is he truly is has a quick shot, shoot first thought process... which at times can hurt the flow of the offense. We the kid can score. And scoring is needed at times. That's what made NBA bench players like Jamal Crawford, JR Smith, Lou Williams such good players because they came in and were instant offense once they came in... Evans Can be that. He just has to lock in of defense and rebound when he's in there, not just look to shoot 3s... I'm a big Evans fan. I think he just needs minutes to get comfortable, and Jon needs to find a way to work him in the games, MEANINGFUL GAMES and MEANINGFUL MINUTES.
I have experienced numerous heartbreaking losses and difficult seasons during my many decades as a Raiders fan. Yesterday's loss was one of the worst ever, and this season has been one of the most disappointing that I can remember recently. It may be the worst team we've had since the Russell years.
Auburn will be another loss. Their frontcourt is full of grown men and they will do the same thing to Flag that Kansas did. Their defense is really good too. Unless Duke hits above average three’s this will be a very physical game .
I think Auburn wins by double figures BUT, if we win it could be the win that ignites this team to the heights we expect.
I guess I’m the minority but I think Mal is a 12-15 minute guy. You can tell he’ll be a solid player someday but he’s a slight notch above a project right now.
Our best 5 against most all teams in my opinion would be Flagg, Brown, Procter, James, and Kneuppel.
Six through eight would be Evans, Mal, Foster.
Ngonba and Gillis nine and ten. Harris is not ready, he’s 11.
Just my thoughts…
I guess I’m the minority but I think Mal is a 12-15 minute guy. You can tell he’ll be a solid player someday but he’s a slight notch above a project right now.
Our best 5 against most all teams in my opinion would be Flagg, Brown, Procter, James, and Kneuppel.
Six through eight would be Evans, Mal, Foster.
Ngonba and Gillis nine and ten. Harris is not ready, he’s 11.
Just my thoughts…
Against lesser opponents. We will see if he sees the court against Auburn . But Auburn is built more like Kansas . He’s still not the answer . Yeah he can score off the bench but still need more out of Foster, Kon, Mal and Brown . I’m still waiting for Duke to get its inside game going .
I can agree with this except one thing . Brown is for defense but Id like to see Duke get an inside game going . Mal is just rail thin right now but does what was expected of him. Block an alter shots but his rebounding needs work .
Great Post. Big fan of Evans Game and Confidence too. Like you said he just needs meaningful minutes in MEANINGFUL GAMES!
I think Evans needs to continue to play. I’m not worried about his offense, but the more time out there, hopefully his defense gets a little better. Sion is showing he belongs. Not sure I’ve seen a freshman with the IQ like Kon has. But he’s got to hit some shots on the road. And I’d like to see more of Cooper getting his within the offense, not trying to be the offense.
It’s no secret that Foster needs to play better. And we need Maluach to be able to play 25-28 minutes, not 15-20.
It’s no secret that Foster needs to play better. And we need Maluach to be able to play 25-28 minutes, not 15-20.
Some good points. To date we have looked more like the teams of the last 2 years than the Banchero/Zion/Bagley type teams. Long season to improve but those teams were on another level. Cooper is good but so far has been nowhere near the level of those guys. He needs to add strength. So does Mal who is listed at 240 but looks more like 220. Brown and Sion were essential pick ups. I think we can beat Auburn but it's a coin flip right now. They are a rugged team. Being a top 2 seed is important because if you are a 3 or a 4 seed you will usually have a tough sweet 16 game.
Correct, but thats my whole point. He gives scoring off the bench which is clearly needed considering how poorly they have shot in their two losses. Foster is struggling more than anyone anticipated, Kon is still our best pure scorer, Mal isn’t there to be a scorer and Brown is our best defender. Which leads me back to my original point, Evan’s provides a microwave spark off the bench to get you a few threes a game. The fact it hasn’t been against tougher competition is on the staff, not on Evan’s.
Evans raises our ceiling and could probably average close to 10 points a game off the bench if given the time. I agree he does look to shoot immediately but this team needs guys who can score. I like that Pat is getting minutes as we need another big body in case of foul trouble, cramping, injury, etc.
Mac,
Excellent Post. Agree with it all. Chris, I agree the Bagley/Zion/Banchero teams were more ready physically and offensively from the onset of the season. However, this season’s team imo has shown a tendency to play tough hard nosed defense consistently whereas the other teams struggled to do. The Banchero team didn’t get strong defensively until the NCAA Tournament.
Excellent Post. Agree with it all. Chris, I agree the Bagley/Zion/Banchero teams were more ready physically and offensively from the onset of the season. However, this season’s team imo has shown a tendency to play tough hard nosed defense consistently whereas the other teams struggled to do. The Banchero team didn’t get strong defensively until the NCAA Tournament.
Someone mentioned we had 7 points in the paint yesterday. That is an issue. Brown is not much of a scorer and Mal is a bit better. Cooper can drive but he's more of a Singler type than a low post guy. Auburn will be interesting, they have a very good big man.
This may be a season where Duke’s best offensive approach is turning their team defense into transition offense. The offensive scheme similar to the 09-10 season and/or 14-15 seasons.
Proctor/Knup/Flagg - Scheyer, Smith, Singler roles. These 3 handle the majority of the offense.
Foster/Evans - Andre Dawkins role by committee. Hit their shots when opportunity arrives.
James - Matt Jones/Justise Winslow role. Solid defender, but can also score.
Brown/Gillis - Thomas/Jefferson roles. Play tough defense and get putbacks and tap outs.
Mal/Big Pat - Zoubek role.
Proctor/Knup/Flagg - Scheyer, Smith, Singler roles. These 3 handle the majority of the offense.
Foster/Evans - Andre Dawkins role by committee. Hit their shots when opportunity arrives.
James - Matt Jones/Justise Winslow role. Solid defender, but can also score.
Brown/Gillis - Thomas/Jefferson roles. Play tough defense and get putbacks and tap outs.
Mal/Big Pat - Zoubek role.
He has to get into games other than teams we already know we’re gonna blow out . There is a reason, while unknown to us that he didn’t play against Kentucky or Kansas .
I agree with almost every point made by the posts except I can’t agree Mal needs 25-28 minutes.
I think it was Shey said he’s not expected to score, while that’s true, our opponents know that as well so we’re practically playing 4 vs 5 on offense.
And his blocks and alters…. He’s averaging 1 block per game….
I’m not saying he’s useless, but he’s not all that yet.
I do think he will be well above average in a few years.
With all that said, I’m still confident we’ll get it figured out.
I think it was Shey said he’s not expected to score, while that’s true, our opponents know that as well so we’re practically playing 4 vs 5 on offense.
And his blocks and alters…. He’s averaging 1 block per game….
I’m not saying he’s useless, but he’s not all that yet.
I do think he will be well above average in a few years.
With all that said, I’m still confident we’ll get it figured out.
My point about Mal needing to be out there 25-28 is based off growth similar to Lively. Basically, I’m gambling saying he improves between now and mid/late January. If he does, our defense is next level.
I just don't think starting 3 freshman is a recipe for hanging a banner. I know in 2015 we did it but that has been the outlier. We will be good no doubt. Maybe this team will. The formula of play the freshman all you can and hope they get it figured out by season's end is what we have become, for better or worse. We do have Brown and Sion, so maybe that will be enough.
Can’t disagree. The argument to this is that two of the freshmen really know the game. Proctor needs to keep his foot on the gas, and Foster needs to find the gas.
Sion and Brown have been solid additions.
I think this team could be very scary.
Jon said last night he is not really running offensive sets so he can slowly integrate the offense so we peak in March.
This may be true but doesn't give me great confidence vs Auburn.
Would be a big win if we can get it.
This may be true but doesn't give me great confidence vs Auburn.
Would be a big win if we can get it.
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