Seems like people are sleeping on AJ big time and I believe that's a huge mistake. He will wake them up pretty quickly I suspect.
Three intriguing lineup options for next season
- Thread starter BlueDevilStop
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Is Blake’s quick? I know he can defend but wasn’t one of his “ needs improvement “ his lateral quickness? Either way I like the line up.
Keels is definitely not quick from what I have seen. So I assume Blakes is quicker. Keels has looked more like a natural forward thus far, but this could change if he starts hitting threes.
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To be a good defender as a guard you have to be quick laterally though.
I like our starting lineup of Roach, Wendell, AJ, Paolo and Mark. After that, a lot of question marks as Chris noted. So nothing would surprise me.
Interesting comments here from the returning guys. I am optimistic about this group.
https://247sports.com/college/duke/...e-jeremy-roach-coach-k-169028428/#169028428_1
https://247sports.com/college/duke/...e-jeremy-roach-coach-k-169028428/#169028428_1
Cool article. They seem to have the right mindset. I think Moore is going to have a big year. We actually need Moore to have a big year for us to reach our potential.
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I really do have a good feeling about this group.
I think we need a big year from one of Roach, Moore, or Keels. I also think we will get that and then some.
We might need a big year from 2 of those 3 if we want to break our Final Four draught.
Saw the article about Roach having a lot of confidence. If he has a big year that will solve a lot of our questions and offset the loss of DJ. Him and Moore could be a very good backcourt.
Roach shot 46% from 3 down the stretch and had a 2.75/1 assist to turnover ratio as well (last 6 games?). Maintaining that and any significant improvement on D would pretty much qualify.
AJ has to be good. I think he will be. Hopefully Theo can stay healthy enough to give us 10mpg.
Many of us are very high on this year's team because we believe AJ will be a top 10 pick based on production, not upside. That would give us 3 studs in the frontcourt with solid depth and backcourt play.
Fortunately, if AJ is only good, not great, we still have the potential for good depth and several potential breakout players in Moore, Rosch, and Baker whose surprise play would make up for a relative lack of production from AJ. We also have Theo and Blakes who could be pleasant surprises while not quite qualifying as breakout stars. That is a lot of potential upside.
Fortunately, if AJ is only good, not great, we still have the potential for good depth and several potential breakout players in Moore, Rosch, and Baker whose surprise play would make up for a relative lack of production from AJ. We also have Theo and Blakes who could be pleasant surprises while not quite qualifying as breakout stars. That is a lot of potential upside.
There was some more scrimmage video on another site. It was brief, but someone who was there gave their opinions. They thought Banchero and A J were our best guys, Theo played and was effective (yay) and Blakes outplayed Roach. Just one scrimmage but those were the takeaways. I was happy to see Theo in action. He is a big dude. Not much of a shooter but has a nice jump hook. Baker did not play, not sure why.
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If Blakes is out playing Roach in scrimmage wouldn’t that be a good thing? Could simply mean he wants minutes on the floor. That would give Duke more flexibility on the defensive side allowing Moore to slide over to the sg spot .
I never put to much stock into scrimmages
Idk the person was saying Roach couldn't get past Blakes. Could be good or bad I guess. Small sample but Blakes looks like he can play. Gives us options if he is ready for minutes.
Roach needs to be tested. I hope he puts the clamps down on him. If anything it should show Roach how much he needs to improve if a four star freshman can hold him with ease. But once again it’s a scrimmage. Who’s to say K and staff didn’t want Blake’s to focus on his defense and Roach wasn’t going full speed.
With Moore, AJ, and Paolo, we don't need Roach to beat his guy off the dribble necessarily. We do need him to knock down open 3s and space the floor. That said, hopefully this is more a statement of Blakes' super strong D than a weakness on Roach's part.
Roaches strong suit is attacking the basket. He knocks down open three’s . The more this class attacks the basket and goes to the foul line the shots will fall. This roster is built to attack and kick out. I want to see more then just Griffin and Paolo attacking the basket . Mark will stay down low and carve his space. The less room Duke leaves room for double teams on Paolo and Williams the better. To many times we saw last year where teams backed off the perimeter, let Duke shoot and out rebounded us because three players were around the arch.The more Duke attacks the better the perimeter will be open. Shooting got better toward the end of the season . Let’s not also forget Mark will be payed way more attention then during his freshman campaign.
Paolo looks like he can move at least to the high post which is where Hurt did a lot of damage, without Paolo's apparent ability to drive.
Even if Duke can consistently hit the 12-15 foot shot (which is Moore's strength) that will open things up for Williams.
I just can't stand the thought of another year of defenses packed in the paint like UNX did against the Zion/Barrett team.
Even if Duke can consistently hit the 12-15 foot shot (which is Moore's strength) that will open things up for Williams.
I just can't stand the thought of another year of defenses packed in the paint like UNX did against the Zion/Barrett team.
I am much more bullish on this team after the last scrimmage. Seeing Theo in action, and Blakes and his moxie. Also AJ. I finally saw what others have been raving about. He plays defense and is very good getting to the rim like Winslow. I still think we need to shoot better (paging Keels) but some questions have been answered. And fwiw Bates Jones played good again.
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If AJ = Winslow, I am a happy man. Those are big shoes to fill.
Do you have a link to this latest scrimmage?
Do you have a link to this latest scrimmage?
I want multiple guys to be able to attack too Schey. We should have that this year even if Roach isn't one of them. Hopefully he is effective attacking the rim.
Last year, too often, we had nobody who could attack the rim and only one guy who could stretch the floor. Moore, Roach and DJ were way too inconsistent shooting and attacking the rim.
My point with Roach was that if he does have a great defender on him who can shut him down, he is still valuable on O if he can hit from outside because that defender will have to stay on him, keeping things open for the other guys. Last year, early on, he was not making open 3s consistently enough to keep the D honest.
Last year, too often, we had nobody who could attack the rim and only one guy who could stretch the floor. Moore, Roach and DJ were way too inconsistent shooting and attacking the rim.
My point with Roach was that if he does have a great defender on him who can shut him down, he is still valuable on O if he can hit from outside because that defender will have to stay on him, keeping things open for the other guys. Last year, early on, he was not making open 3s consistently enough to keep the D honest.
If we're bricking it from outside teams will zone us and we won't get past sweet 16. Shooting is the key between good and great.
If I were him I would hire the law firm the unc cheaters had when they got off the AMFM scandal. OFC
I agree. It looked like last season as his confidence began to build as he attacked the basket more he became more relaxed with taking and hitting the open three. If I was Blake’s I wouldn’t give him any breathing room in practice for two reasons. Blake’s will earn his minutes on the defensive end and Roach will see stronger pg’s during the season.
Star rating has nothing to do with how good someone is on defense. Star rating is more offensive bias and upside based
Blakes brings defensive intensity, which we all know coach likes. He will get minutes this year. One thing I've noticed is Bates Jones shoots very well from 3 in these scrimmages. We say this every year, but I think we will be better on D this year. I also think our bench could be better. We have role players, which may be better than guys who just underperform. Theo gives us insurance if Williams gets in foul trouble. banchero at the 5 will just result in teams getting him in foul trouble. It will be okay for a few minutes, but it is not a long term solution imo. Theo is very physical so teams cannot get a break when Mark goes to the bench. Baker and Keels give us shooting. (potentially)
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True. However if he’s scoring on Roach at will as well we have issues. Blake’s wasnt highly recruited. Roach was a five star with potential. If he can’t get past a freshman Blake( let’s throw out the stars) then Duke has issues at the lead guard spot . But once again it’s simply a scrimmage.
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