We can micro manage all the finer details as to why that team lost. But at the end of the day we had a major flaw, we couldn’t consistently shoot a lick. The games we were hot (UK, @Virgina) no one was going to beat us. We had 2 generational scorers of the basketball. But we couldn’t shoot a lick and teams started clogging the lane like nothing I have ever seen before. If we had 1-2 consistent 3 point shooters we would have dominated the tournament. I honestly believe that.
Exactly. Look that team was really good no matter what but when Cam, Tre, and Jack were on we were unbeatable. But that second half of the season we just weren’t THAT good. We were good but you could tell we were missing something that we had earlier in the season. The idea that we were the far and away favorite to win it all was just a little crazy by the time we got to march. I mean we only had two players consistently show up every game. That’s not how it should be for a championship team.To be honest, that team was two separate teams. One team that was healthy and had a Cam playing at or near his potential. That team was virtually unbeatable. That is the team that DESTROYED Kentucky. The other team was missing key players due to injury and or had a Cam that wasnt a star. Wasnt playing anywhere near the level he was capable of. Tha team did have to rely on 2 guys.
I absolutely enjoyed every second of the UK beatdown from a few rows behind one of the baskets. However...a strong case can be made that was the worst possible outcome for Duke's March hopes. We peaked way too early, and then the Zion UNC injury just completely threw off our rhythm.
IMO a few reasons the team never got to it's full potential:
-Shooting: we needed Cam and Alex to be knockdown shooters, neither were, Alex had a massive dip in his 3 point % from his freshman year.
-Speaking of Cam...let's not beat around the bush, when he was bad, he murdered us. He just never was able to realize his full potential, it sucks because when Cam could give us 15+ we were unbeatable.
-Jack's shooting fell off a cliff. Remember the first 2 months of that season when Jack was AWESOME???
-Tre really struggled near the end of the year. He shot 26% from 3 for the year, that is terrible for a guard. He came up HUGE in that VT Sweet 16 game, but teams didn't guard him and that made life much tougher on Zion/RJ.
Well that’s the thing that confuses me the most. All the analysts said he was great from deep. Well if you look at his last year of EYBL he only shot 29% from deep. So I’m not sure why they all made him out to be some knockdown shooter. Yeah he was capable but not great at all.Cam’s 3 ball hasn’t been any better in the NBA (33%).. is it possible for a great high school 3pt shooter to just not be able to do it at the NCAA or NBA level?
And to be fair to cam the last 3 months he shot 41% in the nbaCam’s 3 ball hasn’t been any better in the NBA (33%).. is it possible for a great high school 3pt shooter to just not be able to do it at the NCAA or NBA level?
Cam’s 3 ball hasn’t been any better in the NBA (33%).. is it possible for a great high school 3pt shooter to just not be able to do it at the NCAA or NBA level?
Yeah this was a big time misnomer. He was never, to my knowledge, if someone wants to look it up please do, known as a great outside threat. Rather that was going to be his role with how the team was structured. He was always a guy who handled the ball and was that long playmaker in hs.I could be wrong but I’m not sure he was ever a lethal shooter. For some reason we all assumed he was a consistent shooter, maybe someone can go back to his high school and AAU days. I think he was more of an attacker than a shooter. However his biggest weakness when driving was control over his body. He couldn’t avoid contact if his life depended on it. Once teams figured that out he was a charge waiting to happen. I have a feeling once he got frustrated with that it had a detrimental effect on other parts of his game, namely shooting. He started shooting more and again I don’t think that was ever his strength.
Shot 29% from 3 his last year of AAUYeah this was a big time misnomer. He was never, to my knowledge, if someone wants to look it up please do, known as a great outside threat. Rather that was going to be his role with how the team was structured. He was always a guy who handled the ball and was that long playmaker in hs.
See we do have some mixed reviews on him. Personally I'm happy to get him. Sure he played in the Ivy League but his does have experience and put up decent numbers. From his videos which of course is highlights he seems to be a heady player. No doubt in my mind is he knows what his role at Duke will be. Who knows he may even be a big asset for us. That's what I'm hoping for. My biggest concern is if he doesn't contribute to the point we expect then this board is going to eat him up. Hoping we constrain ourselves somewhat. OFC
With Hurt now back in the fold, along with Tape, we should have 1 scholarship left.
Kuminga is starting to show as the projected #1 or #2 pick in the 2021 draft, meaning a lot of people (in college basketball and the NBA) expect him to reclassify. Seems like he has cooled off on Duke though. Sounds like LSU could be the leader? Though I don’t think anyone truly knows.
What is blatantly obvious....when LSU is getting involved, you know a large bag of cash is involved. That’s just the way they do business, watch “The Scheme” on HBO.
No idea who else we could bring in, if anyone. Would be nice to have another shooter off the bench, basically the role Alex could have provided.
If Tape’ can just give us what Javin did on his good days (and avoid having Javin “bad day” games) then I will be very happy.
If he can give us 5 points and 5 rebounds, that would be nice.
For those that follow the NBA, Cam has really started to blossom during the second half of the season. I thought something similar was going to happen during his season at Duke. He showed flashes of his talent during his season here, but he just couldn’t tie it all together consistently. If Cam was able to reach his potential last season, we’re winning the whole thing.
Well that’s the thing that confuses me the most. All the analysts said he was great from deep. Well if you look at his last year of EYBL he only shot 29% from deep. So I’m not sure why they all made him out to be some knockdown shooter. Yeah he was capable but not great at all.
I may be in the minority here but I think there’s a solid change K starts Tapé early on in the season.
Small sample size obviously but the dude put him some pretty impressing numbers against some good comp-BC/Penn Stans others
Gotta think while Mark definitely has the higher ceiling...the 21 year old 5th year guy has to of somewhat of an advance. Williams did play against some really good HS comp. but at the end of the day-you can’t nest college experience and going against biggger/stronger dudes. Should only help both of them battling in practice everyday.
I love the Tapé get....I think he could be just as if not more valuable than a Javin last season. While very different players I think Tapé may have a better overall feel for the game with better hands-dude can also make a FT and has some touch out to 10-12 feet. He and Mark should be awesome
Holding down the 5 spot with Coleman sprinkled in as well. 11 deep people!!
That is an insane offensive lineup.. I do think we will see that 5 on the court together some, but I don’t think it will start.. I see K at least starting with a more traditional lineup with a true 5..I won’t be surprised to see something like
Roach
Moore
Baker
Johnson
Hurt
I won’t be surprised to see something like
Roach
Moore
Baker
Johnson
Hurt