Here are five storylines worth paying close attention to as the season develops. What else are you interested in monitoring?
A few storylines to watch for Duke this season
- Thread starter BlueDevilStop
- Start date
1. How good are the freshman guards?
2. Are Moore and Hurt ahead of the freshman?
3. Can Williams stay out of foul trouble? Can Tape play big minutes if needed?
4. What if Brakefield and Baker continue to be on fire? Could Baker start over Hurt and Brakefield over Johnson? ( I realize this is not probable, but you never know.)
2. Are Moore and Hurt ahead of the freshman?
3. Can Williams stay out of foul trouble? Can Tape play big minutes if needed?
4. What if Brakefield and Baker continue to be on fire? Could Baker start over Hurt and Brakefield over Johnson? ( I realize this is not probable, but you never know.)
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I understand that the videos being put out on the Duke Basketball accounts aren't everything, but Joey and Jaemyn look great, seem like they are gonna be real contributors. Haven't really seen Hurt do much at all, he does look much bigger though. It wouldn't totally shock me to see Joey or Jaemyn take Hurt's spot. This would also allow Johnson to move to the 4 which is where he would be most lethal, no 4 man could guard him, and he's got a lot of size to compete at the defensive end against other bigs.
Hurt will still play, he's too good to not play, but he will need to do more than take jump shots as it's very crowded at the forward position.
For me it is
1. Front court play especially what happens at the 5.
2. Play of Roach at the point- will it be a year of solid play or mostly inconsistent with flashes of brilliance.
3. Consistency for our bench - this is huge or K will shrink the rotation.
4. Defensive identity- really not sure what to expect from our squad this year on the defensive end. We do have some really good defenders and then a lot of question marks.
5. Leadership. When things get rocky at some point, does the team rally together or will there be a lot of finger pointing.
1. Front court play especially what happens at the 5.
2. Play of Roach at the point- will it be a year of solid play or mostly inconsistent with flashes of brilliance.
3. Consistency for our bench - this is huge or K will shrink the rotation.
4. Defensive identity- really not sure what to expect from our squad this year on the defensive end. We do have some really good defenders and then a lot of question marks.
5. Leadership. When things get rocky at some point, does the team rally together or will there be a lot of finger pointing.
If Baker emerges as a leader, and it looks like he will, he and Goldwire will lead us.
It seems like Duke's two biggest questions come at the two bookend positions, which are traditionally the most important in basketball (though I think the importance of the post player is going by the wayside).
Luckily, I think they have some really great potential answers to those questions, they are just unproven.
Luckily, I think they have some really great potential answers to those questions, they are just unproven.
For me Baker is the key. If he busts out and hits shots we are a different team. The freshman will be up and down. Hurt and Moore need to be consistent. Goldwire too.
1. Is Mark Williams a gem who becomes a 1st round pick after the season or will he struggle and not play a ton?
2. How much better are Moore and Hurt? Have either made the leap to become All-ACC type guys.
3. Is Roach gonna come in and be the floor general from day 1 or will he be inconsistent and split time with Goldwire handling the ball?
4. Can Baker and Brakefield play good enough defense to warrant a lot of playing time? We know both can score, can either play high level man-to-man pressure defense?
5. How good will Duke be defensively. We lost Tre who was the heart and soul. We know Goldwire will be a hound. To me, it comes down to Mark Williams. If he can be a beast in the paint swatting shots left and right were scary. If he struggles, we will struggle. Wendell Moore needs to be an All-America type defender this year too.
2. How much better are Moore and Hurt? Have either made the leap to become All-ACC type guys.
3. Is Roach gonna come in and be the floor general from day 1 or will he be inconsistent and split time with Goldwire handling the ball?
4. Can Baker and Brakefield play good enough defense to warrant a lot of playing time? We know both can score, can either play high level man-to-man pressure defense?
5. How good will Duke be defensively. We lost Tre who was the heart and soul. We know Goldwire will be a hound. To me, it comes down to Mark Williams. If he can be a beast in the paint swatting shots left and right were scary. If he struggles, we will struggle. Wendell Moore needs to be an All-America type defender this year too.
I think you’re putting too much on Mark Williams. There’s a big gap between being a first round pick this year and “not playing a ton.” I also think he’s a piece of our defensive identify but certainly not the difference maker to the point that we will struggle if he does. I do agree though that if he’s playing well enough to be a first round pick that we will be tough to beat.
The clips I've seen with Roach are impressive. I think he's going to be a helluva floor general and leader.
If he can shoot 3's at a decently efficient clip he could be an absolute stud.
If he can shoot 3's at a decently efficient clip he could be an absolute stud.
That's a big if ha. I hope Roach is more Tre than Duval. (and I liked Duval)
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