Preaseason potential
- Thread starter pisgah101
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I think this one does just based on the fact that we knew Giles was going to be questionable due to his injuries, and this year Grayson is a year older and likely more mature due to what he went through. I would also add in the addition of a true PG
I think this year. Think K and Allen will have a little more fire. Not that K has been terrible, but after last season I just think the kids will feel his intensity
I am certainly not going to be scared off by high expectations. I have high expectatuons every year, and especially years when we have extremely talented rosters. We've beat to death the reasons it didn't go our way last year, we saw glimpses of our potential, especially in the ACC tourney and our matchups with UNC. Because we didn't get it done in SC I'm not going to suddenly be scared of outside expectations. Nor will I be cautions. This year we have one huge piece we didn't have last year- a true bonafide PG. we have depth in the front court and if we can stay relatively healthy I think we have a big time chance to do some special things in March.
It would be almost impossible for all the stuff that went wrong last year to repeat itself. In the mix for six.
OFC
OFC
I was kind of kicking around in my head what I thought our win loss record would be after we got the news about Bagley. I didn't really come up with anything because I really only care about winning the last one!! Without looking it up, I can't tell you how many we lost in 2015....but I remember we won the last one!!
My only concern is how Bolden will handle POSSIBLY coming off the bench. With rumors about him possibly transferring last year, I hope he uses this as an incentive to work even harder. By what I am reading about him, he appears to be in great shape and improving.
Biggest difference this year to last year is having a true pass first PG and the potential to be extremely strong on the defensive end.
I think our defense this year improves by leaps and bounds. #defensewinschampionships
I think our defense this year improves by leaps and bounds. #defensewinschampionships
Hopefully another big difference between last year and this year will be that we don't have the injury issues that we had last year.
If he comes off the bench he either man's up and works for minutes or he gets upset and don't....all up to Bolden
Bagley is a game changer. I knew you guys would be good as always. But he's a better prospect than Giles in my opinion. I think the big question is the youth factor. You're only starting one senior. That and how K will utilize his bench, which I know he likes to keep to one or two guys.
Me, I'm just thankful we only have to deal with him for a year lol.
Me, I'm just thankful we only have to deal with him for a year lol.
Experience definitely makes a difference in March. With the way recruiting is these days, it seems like it's less about experience, and more about maturity. Jah, Justise and Tyus were mature freshmen. Tatum, Bolden and Giles weren't as mature (Jackson was at times and Tatum became just that by season's end). Neither were Thornton and Luke, though Brandon was. This season our freshmen are men. Bagley, Wendell and Gary are super mature players. Tre is at times but he has lost his cool before. If he can stay level, we should be a very mature team, despite the number of letters won.
Do you think all four leave after a season?
And I generally agree. I haven't seen many highlights, but I would fear this Duke team more than I would last years team. But then again, everyone thought you guys were a shoe-in for a title last year and it didn't happen. So we'll see. One thing I'm curious to see is if Allen can carry the outside shooting, because there isn't a whole lot of that on your team this year.
UNC obviously earned the title last season, but no one can pretend Duke didn't run into some serious issues that changed the course of the season. Either way, this season has a chance to end better than the last one.
And in terms of shooting Allen is the only proven commodity, but Trent will come ready to score and hopefully Tucker shows why he was coveted as a shooter. At that point, Duval, White, DeLaurier and even Carter all need to be getting some extra shots up outside of practice.
Allen, Trent, and Duvall will get plenty of looks once they start double teaming down low. And if the don't double team.....dunk city baby!
How good is Trent on his outside game? I heard Duval isn't all that great. Be interesting to see if anyone steps up in that regard, Tucker might be the x-factor.
Several factors did derail your season, there's no denying that. Which is why I'm more concerned this year, as the talent Duke is just as high as it was last year, but barring something drastic, more than likely won't run into the same problems as last season.
On my end, we just won the whole thing so I can deal with not being as good. But if we're able to win at least one against you, I'd call it a victory lol.
Depending on which site you look at, Trent is listed anywhere between the #1 and #3 SG in the class. Duval can hit a jumper as well......but we all know you don't REALLY know until the season gets going
If everyone plays as billed.....scoring will not be an issue. I'm more focused on how well will we defend
It's not a perfect comparison by any means, but Trent reminds me of McCants with his toughness, shooting and the way he uses his body.
Agree with everything you said.It is silly to predict a sure fire NC but unless we get slammed again by injuries I love our chances
I do believe this team will be very good. The one and only concern I have with how well this team will do has nothing to do with talent. Chemistry. As fans, and I've said this before, we only see things from our eyes or how the staff thinks.
This is only a possibility, not me being gloom and doom, so hear me out. We all know the spill about how K is and the kids know this when they commit to Duke. This team has just been jolted with the addition of a super stud. They may have known he was coming, but the chain of events that led to his commitment were strange to say the least.
First the trip gets cancelled, K getting a knee replacement. Then Bagley announced on ESPN, adding that he's also wearing a retired jersey. All it takes is one star already on the roster, a family member, or close friend to get into their ear and start questioning adding Bagley, and adding him this close to season. Maybe the team is as glad as the fans to add him, I don't know.
These kids nowadays have been told how good they are for years, and we have a few, and what if at least one feels shafted? Just something to consider, and if we're all honest, it's not crazy to at least think it could happen
This is only a possibility, not me being gloom and doom, so hear me out. We all know the spill about how K is and the kids know this when they commit to Duke. This team has just been jolted with the addition of a super stud. They may have known he was coming, but the chain of events that led to his commitment were strange to say the least.
First the trip gets cancelled, K getting a knee replacement. Then Bagley announced on ESPN, adding that he's also wearing a retired jersey. All it takes is one star already on the roster, a family member, or close friend to get into their ear and start questioning adding Bagley, and adding him this close to season. Maybe the team is as glad as the fans to add him, I don't know.
These kids nowadays have been told how good they are for years, and we have a few, and what if at least one feels shafted? Just something to consider, and if we're all honest, it's not crazy to at least think it could happen
Going beyond last season, 2011 strikes me as the year we have had the most hype. Kyrie coming in and we were returning Kyle and Nolan. Can anyone think of any other years that would match the 2011 hype??
2006, 2002, 2001, and 1999 would come to mind. Was too young to recall the hype in 1992.
2006, 2002, 2001, and 1999 would come to mind. Was too young to recall the hype in 1992.
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92 team was most hyped ever. They were like a rock band on tour, had to be escorted about everywhere.
This is the year that Duke has to play inside out, similar to how the cheaters down the street play. Duke has been very wing-oriented with its offense and that has to change. I don't worry about Grayson, he'll get the ball to the scorers inside. But hopefully the entire team buys in because we're not going to beat anyone out shooting them from the 3 pt. line like last year. If the team buys in and Bagley/Carter/Bolden touch the ball every time down the court, our offense will be very efficient. With better health and less drama, this can be a much better team than last year.
I agree with this to a degree, but I don't know that I'd separate maturity and experience so much. Justise in particular seemed like a much different player at the end of the year than he did at the start. I think the experience of the season helps create that maturity. That team had some serious struggles that left some on this board freaking out, but they figured it out by tourney time.
That being said, there are some players that come in ready to go. I would put players like Singler in that group (being tough as nails, helps), but I think some underestimate the experience a full and healthy preaseason and regular season can create. Also, I was confident going into the NCAA tourney last year because of the run in the ACC tourney and how that could give them an idea of what to expect.
Hopefully that makes sense, but what I'm trying to say is that the preseason and season can help build the experience you need to succeed in the post-season. I think the injuries really stunted that process last year.
Dont believe you or any Tar Heel saying "we just won the whole thing so I can deal with not being as good." Haha- you seriously think we believe that. Your coach and fans are obsessed w/"COPY K." Thats win back to back nattys- Roy would almost kill to equal that feat accomplished by K '91-'92.
No other ACC coach has done it, not even Dean, who had a TREMENDOUS CHANCE in '94 until the 1St weekend meltdown against BC.
OFC
Yeah I agree with that. Some players however are just more mature and therefore more able to handle the rigors of a full season. For example look at Josh McRoberts and Greg Paulus. Both got plenty of experience, but never seemed to mature as players in college or beyond. I'm with you in that they aren't exclusive, but they aren't totally proportional either.
Valid point as you have to consider the elements involved in this really bizarre series of dynamics. The unexpected midsummer bombshell bloomed into another player on THIS YEAR's roster, wearing a number hanging in the rafters no less. I am not scared of expectations, but K must spend long hours in the lab finding perfect formula with this amazing mix of talent!
I am pleased to no end we have Marvin, but he shouldnt expect a piece of cake when practices start. I am certain Bolden, Carter, Javin and Vrank arent going to back away from our new phenom, and hes going to get pushed around.
Ultimately we find the right mix (as opposed to last year) on a CONSISTENT BASIS and take #6. If we stay injury free I wont be satisfied w/anything less than a title. Doing "special things" this year should include nothing less than #6 with the talent on hand.
OFC
Either Grayson or Marvin is going to win NPOY and I'd be shocked if we don't win #6. How's that for preseason hype??
What do you guys think about Javin DeLaurier? He intrigues me. He is 6' 10" and very athletic. Do you think he will play more this season?
I'd certainly be surprised to not see him in the regular rotation.
Good point. I'm just happy someone understood whatever the hell I wrote, haha.
One thing you Heel boys will have a hard time with. That inside advantage you've enjoyed for a while vs us, that shits over. That paint is OUR bread & butter this season. Carter, Bolden , Bagley, Jav, it's gonna be thick in the lane. Even worse, trying to decide if you want to double down on Bagley or get poster dunked by our pg. it's just like Christmas, it's coming.
