Phenomenal Win (Clemson Game)

[youngman42]

Great team play. Great energy.

Winslow and Cook were the stars but I thought Grayson played well and Plumlee had good minutes. It shows me that we can go 8 deep without dropping off.

It seems to me that the other players really pick up their intensity without Okafor in there. If they played with that much intensity with him - I think Duke would be so much better. Seems the other players back off a bit with him in there.

Clemson, of course, has zero offensive firepower this year. But, that's a great win without the Big Man.

On to VT. Though their record is not that great, they have played several very competitive games against tough competition.

Would love it if we could pull a W out of that game without using Jah (or using him just a little).

 

[madrussian]

well stated. grayson showed he can score and play defense. he may become a very special player at duke.

our guards are learning how to take over a game with tempo and drives.

gotta give k a lot of credit - shorthanded went zone and the 2-1-2 trap.

 

[denniden]

Tyus Jones was pretty good himself today. I Think today proves something I think about this team, and that is the back court is the key. All four of them but specifically Cook and Jones. I know the big fella gets all the live but without great back court play, you don't go far in the tournament these days.

 

[madrussian]

exactly den. the backcourt is key to going deep in march. you need guys that can create instant offense. i have always thought cook could be an elite guard in college hoops. he seemed to have all the tools and at times last year showed flashes of brilliance. but as the year went on he seemed to get lost.

now he looks much more focussed. and when he misses his three's like yesterday - what does he do? he takes it right at them, draws fouls and scores inside.

this team has really grown and developed. its like K really learned from last year. he must have said, "hmmm, i have to get done in 1 year what i usually do in 3."

 

[DukeDenver]

The Quinn embrace did it for me. K is the GOAT.

 

[Laettner]

The team played fast on Sat, Grayson can fly. Our rotation is set & ready to make a run to INDY!

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

This team has become closer, tougher, and better as the regular season comes to a close. The Wisconsin win was great, but the 2 comeback victories against UVA, and UNC show the incredible fortitude this team has developed. An excellent outing against Clemson, after an emotionally charged rival game plus the loss of Jah shows the heart of this club.

OFC

 

[stanleyduke]

I was fortunate to be at the game Saturday and noticed that there is a chemistry among the players that I've rarely seen at Duke or among any college team. They are really coming together and this has the makings of something special. The vocal leaders of this team are Cook, Tyus and Okafor.

 

[dbav]

Originally posted by OldasdirtDevil:
This team has become closer, tougher, and better as the regular season comes to a close. The Wisconsin win was great, but the 2 comeback victories against UVA, and UNC show the incredible fortitude this team has developed. An excellent outing against Clemson, after an emotionally charged rival game plus the loss of Jah shows the heart of this club.

OFC

I agree. The only thing I worry about is that this team seems to need a certain amount of pressure to perform at their best. That can be a good thing, but in a single elimination tournament it can be a problem if the switch does not come on until late.

That being said, I love this team and I fully expect a deep run. I think the importance of the ACC and NCAA Tournaments will be all the "pressure" they need to get rolling and stay rolling.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Originally posted by dbav:

Originally posted by OldasdirtDevil:
This team has become closer, tougher, and better as the regular season comes to a close. The Wisconsin win was great, but the 2 comeback victories against UVA, and UNC show the incredible fortitude this team has developed. An excellent outing against Clemson, after an emotionally charged rival game plus the loss of Jah shows the heart of this club.

OFC

I agree. The only thing I worry about is that this team seems to need a certain amount of pressure to perform at their best. That can be a good thing, but in a single elimination tournament it can be a problem if the switch does not come on until late.

That being said, I love this team and I fully expect a deep run. I think the importance of the ACC and NCAA Tournaments will be all the "pressure" they need to get rolling and stay rolling.

This closeness, toughness, leadership, and overall talent of this team makes us dangerous. Each week we seem to get a little closer, better, and the energy levels are through the roof. Haven't seen this since 2010 honestly. Look, "11 and "13 those teams had chances to win national titles and were close, but I don't think they were this close. The key has been Quinn. That kid has impressed the hell out of me. When he hugged Coach K after forcing that turnover....I am not ashamed to say that I got a little misty eyed. I am as excited for the tourney as I have been in a long time. I think this team has what it takes to get to Indy. It won't be easy. And I am sure we will all be sweating. But this is a FIST fellas. I think we are in store for a pretty nice run and possibly some titles.