One thing you love about THIS Duke team

[Quavarius]

Rebounding

I love the fact that we are an ELITE rebounding team. Now, I don’t have any stats to back me up and I know our 2010 National title team was an elite rebounding team but I’m assuming elite rebounding teams typically make deep runs in March. Hate to say it, but that baby blue team down the road has always been an elite rebounding team and since 2005, have 3 titles, 2 Runner Ups, and 6 Final Fours. Was it because of their rebounding? Who knows, but having extra opportunities to score is never a bad thing.

 

[christophero]

I like that we have a guy like Blakes. We've had quite a few guys over the years that have transferred after the first year did not go their way. Blakes was not a part of the rotation last year, and we brought in another highly rated guard. But he worked hard, and is now playing in big games and can be a leader next year.

 

[hart2chesson]

Rebounding

I love the fact that we are an ELITE rebounding team. Now, I don’t have any stats to back me up and I know our 2010 National title team was an elite rebounding team but I’m assuming elite rebounding teams typically make deep runs in March. Hate to say it, but that baby blue team down the road has always been an elite rebounding team and since 2005, have 3 titles, 2 Runner Ups, and 6 Final Fours. Was it because of their rebounding? Who knows, but having extra opportunities to score is never a bad thing.

Much as I hate to agree Q, the Cheats have had good rebounding. So tired of hearing Bilas declare "UNC's best offense is a missed shot because of their offensive rebounding." OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

I like fact we're consistently playing nine guys. I hope we don't shrink the number in ACC play, and as year progresses.

OFC

 

[Quavarius]

Much as I hate to agree Q, the Cheats have had good rebounding. So tired of hearing Bilas declare "UNC's best offense is a missed shot because of their offensive rebounding." OFC

He loves him some UNC rebounding and tap outs

 

[NCirishman]

This is probably the best FT shooting team we’ve had in years.

 

[Quavarius]

I like that we have a guy like Blakes. We've had quite a few guys over the years that have transferred after the first year did not go their way. Blakes was not a part of the rotation last year, and we brought in another highly rated guard. But he worked hard, and is now playing in big games and can be a leader next year.

Excellent point! I like Blakes’ Bulldog mentality when he enters the game.

 

[Quavarius]

This is probably the best FT shooting team we’ve had in years.

This was my second one, but I chose rebounding. This will pay dividends in close games away from CIS.

 

[Liftee]

I like that everyone seems to buy into playing defense. Doesn't seem to be one or two who are weak links.

 

[sheyduke]

Defense . Defense will keep us in close games as long as Duke remembers it’s a forty minute game .
Blakes is my second . Straight pit bull on defense when he gets in and he prides his self on it .

 

[christophero]

I've enjoyed watching Young as well. He'll never be in the NBA, but he makes the most of what he's got. Would love to have him and Blakes back next year.

 

[hart2chesson]

He loves him some UNC rebounding and tap outs

And "Secondary Break." LOL

OFC

 

[christophero]

UNC's gonna underperform, get a crappy seed and then make a run again. They are the new Michigan State.

 

[skysdad]

I think this team is a very unselfish team. OFC

 

[tcoyle34]

Defense and free throws improving almost make a tear shed from my eye, a tear that's been forming for years

 

[JimboSlice00]

I'd have to agree with free throws. Seems like we've been below average for so long, and we all know how inconsistent college hoops refs are. Going 17-20 at the line will win you alot of games.

 

[jamsession3]

9 man rotation.

 

[jamsession3]

I like fact we're consistently playing nine guys. I hope we don't shrink the number in ACC play, and as year progresses.

OFC

No need to shrink...

 

[hart2chesson]

No need to shrink...

Amen jam! OFC

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Defensive intensity.

 

[Mac9192]

Hard for me to pick one. Can’t argue the point of rebounding, and free throw shooting. I’m so impressed with our ball movement. It hasn’t been common for a Duke team to pass up a potential shot for someone to take a better one. So far, this team does.

 

[kwyjibos13]

I hope we are alarmingly unathletic like 2010...

 

[kwyjibos13]

No need to shrink...

I was in the pool!

 

[AlanInNJ]

I'll go with the "team" offense we seem to be playing. There doesn't seem to be an alpha that needs 25 shots a night, and I love that. I still anticipate some head scratching losses, but I love that on any given night we have multiple guys who could step up to lead us in scoring. Flip doesn't need to score 25 for us to win.

I know, I know, the topic is "One Thing", but my second vote goes for team defense. I am not a coach or anything, but they seem to be communicating and switching very well most of the time in man to man. You've got to think we will improve as the season goes on too. Love that 1-2-2 press too!

 

[LetsGoDukies]

Rebounding

I love the fact that we are an ELITE rebounding team. Now, I don’t have any stats to back me up and I know our 2010 National title team was an elite rebounding team but I’m assuming elite rebounding teams typically make deep runs in March. Hate to say it, but that baby blue team down the road has always been an elite rebounding team and since 2005, have 3 titles, 2 Runner Ups, and 6 Final Fours. Was it because of their rebounding? Who knows, but having extra opportunities to score is never a bad thing.

Yes! And limiting the opponents opportunities is great as well. I like a lot of other things about this team as well...defense, ball movement, deep rotation.. But if I had to pick just one then it would be rebounding.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

its a few, but I like the distribution of minutes...guys can play all out for 4-5 min segments which leads to the defense and rebounding and other pluses that others are saying as their top thing imo

 

[DanTheDukeFan1982]

I love the switching this team does on defense. Feels like forever since we have played defense like this: guys are communicating, we switch everything, and don’t give up many easy looks. Let’s hope we continue to improve on the offensive end because I think this is a final four worthy defense.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

I hope we are alarmingly unathletic like 2010...

Doug Gotdweeb. What a tool.

 

[Quavarius]

The D is back in Duke

 

[Devilinside]

Defensive intensity.

This is the most excited I have been about Duke's defense since watching Dawkins and Amaker slap the floor and yelling "ice" to each other. OFC

 

[NCirishman]

I really like the fact that this team is getting better and that it has a couple or three players contributing that will likely return next season.

 

[Quavarius]

 

[christophero]

The comment below our good free throw percentage was "sure could have used it last year" haha. Too soon.

 

[AlanInNJ]

The comment below our good free throw percentage was "sure could have used it last year" haha. Too soon.

And in 2019. Barret at the line against MI State at the end of the game, down 2 points, shooting 2. Misses the first one badly, tries to miss the second and makes it.

 

[Quavarius]

 

[Duke Blu]

I am very excited about this team because I still don’t quite know what we have yet. I am seeing these flashes of brilliance but it still feels like there is A LOT of room for growth and that’s exciting because as some have alluded, defensively this team is pretty good.

 

[christophero]

I think Tuesday will be telling. This team has been sheltered a bit. No true road games and the easiest pre Christmas schedule I can remember. We did play two top 10 teams but lost to them. Be nice to get a road ACC win under their belts. I agree that we have a high ceiling, but that mainly depends on how much the freshman improve these next few months.

 

[Duke Blu]

Curious too if Schutt finds a role on this team.

 

[christophero]

My guess is not consistent minutes but situational minutes. At some point we will need shooting.

 

[sheyduke]

Don’t look for Schutt to be on the court unless injury . He looked good but Roach should be back by Tuesday and the team has had atleast five days of actual practice together not just game prep .