Alex O’Connell!!!

[BeerPoisoning]

What a fantastic performance tonight by him. I think between the future minutes he earned tonight and personal confidence boost this game is going to give him REALLY makes us dangerous in the future. As long as Zion returns soon and 100% healthy, maybe this was a blessing in disguise because I don’t see K giving AOC the opportunity otherwise.

Of course - Hats off to RJ, what an incredible game. But we don’t win this one without Alex complimenting RJ’s performance by showing up in the scoring column the way he did and as efficiently as he did.

Tre needs to give up the outside shooting and embrace the Rajon Rondo role. Let RJ and Zion carry the scoring with O’Connell and Reddish sprinkled in.

 

[LetsGoDuke83]

He and rj were the mvps

 

[BeerPoisoning]

He and rj were the mvps

Absolutely... RJ just played fantastic, incredible performance. I definitely didn’t make this post for the opportunity to down Reddish, but I’d rather see O’Connell taking the shots Zion and RJ don’t get rather than Cam. He’s a great talent with all the upside in the world but in terms of efficiency, Alex is what we need.

 

[crazyduke3]

Absolutely... RJ just played fantastic, incredible performance. I definitely didn’t make this post for the opportunity to down Reddish, but I’d rather see O’Connell taking the shots Zion and RJ don’t get rather than Cam. He’s a great talent with all the upside in the world but in terms of efficiency, Alex is what we need.

We need cam too. It’s called a team win.

 

[Hurley22]

He's got some sneaky rise too. When he dunks it's not like he's barely getting it over the rim. I hope this is that game he needed to build some confidence in himself and for K as well. Great performance young man.

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

Very proud of Alex! Keep this up and get Zion back and I think we will be just fine!

 

[bullcity gamer]

Alex along with Javin and Marquis all stepped up tonight. Great Team Win on to Blacksburg!

 

[jcdevilfan]

Really happy for Alex, he has a beautiful touch on his shot. This will be a big confidence builder for his overall floor game and I hope he can build on this. He has always had the confidence in his shot.
Go Duke!
OFC

 

[BeerPoisoning]

We need cam too. It’s called a team win.

Wasn’t suggesting that we don’t need him, we do. He’s had some clutch performances. When Zion and RJ are both in, he rarely drives the ball. Stays on the perimeter for shooting purposes. I just think that if someone is going to sit on the wing for shooting purposes that Alex is the better spot-up shooter. Let that be his job and give Cam more driving or shot-creating opportunities off the dribble.

 

[SwatX1]

Alex had a great game. I just hope he can sustain it... He makes us that much more dangerous when he's on.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Apparently he just likes playing against Syracuse. He was great tonight.

In two games vs Syracuse he averages 18ppg. Against all other teams he averages 2.9ppg.

He has proven that he can be an asset, now let's see if he can do it in consecutive games.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

Excellent game by the Reaper! This was a game that Duke needed, and we got it!

OFC

 

[Divedoc]

What a fantastic performance tonight by him. I think between the future minutes he earned tonight and personal confidence boost this game is going to give him REALLY makes us dangerous in the future. As long as Zion returns soon and 100% healthy, maybe this was a blessing in disguise because I don’t see K giving AOC the opportunity otherwise.

Of course - Hats off to RJ, what an incredible game. But we don’t win this one without Alex complimenting RJ’s performance by showing up in the scoring column the way he did and as efficiently as he did.

Tre needs to give up the outside shooting and embrace the Rajon Rondo role. Let RJ and Zion carry the scoring with O’Connell and Reddish sprinkled in.

Agreed ! I thought a long time ago that we need O'Connell, White and Bolden to have big contributions if we are to go all the way. The elephant in the room is what's the deal with White? If he can hit some shots like 3's then that opens everything up. He didn't play against Syracuse; Coach K had a reason. We need him to get back on track.

 

[Smythe13]

AOC was a major key tonight. He will be needed the rest of the year.

 

[christophero]

So happy for Alex. This is just what we needed.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Apparently he just likes playing against Syracuse. He was great tonight.

In two games vs Syracuse he averages 18ppg. Against all other teams he averages 2.9ppg.

He has proven that he can be an asset, now let's see if he can do it in consecutive games.

34mpg vs ‘Cuse
10mpg vs everyone else
Hard to show yourself off when you average 10 minutes and you’re virtually the last scoring option.

I know he has ridden the bench because of his defensive liability but I think for the betterment of this offense it’s smarter to just eat a couple defensive lapses for his shooting capabilities. The off-ball tight defense that his shooting demands will open up those pack-line and condensed zones we play against, too. Basically - everyone will benefit from his presence whether he’s scoring or not.

 

[Austinduke]

So happy for Alex. Stepped up big time tonight when we needed it the most. Gives us a scorer off the bench if he can continue to play well

 

[df64]

So, Alex has two great offensive games against one team that is probably as well suited as anyone to make life tough for him. Go figure. Hope this fime it leads to future success.
We really need his shooting going forward. Come on Jack, we need you too!

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

34mpg vs ‘Cuse
10mpg vs everyone else
Hard to show yourself off when you average 10 minutes and you’re virtually the last scoring option.

I know he has ridden the bench because of his defensive liability but I think for the betterment of this offense it’s smarter to just eat a couple defensive lapses for his shooting capabilities. The off-ball tight defense that his shooting demands will open up those pack-line and condensed zones we play against, too. Basically - everyone will benefit from his presence whether he’s scoring or not.

I agree with about everything here. But his minutes are determined by his effort. The more he contributes, the more he plays. I do think that he had a longer leash in both of the Syracuse games due to circumstances. But he has been given opportunities to gain minutes in just about every game this year. Maybe his leash will be longer going forward.

 

[Kobe #1]

Duke needed it for sure, but he was not good on the other end of the floor, several times on the backside that he was the reason the Cuse got 2nd chance points. If his shot was not falling he would have been pulled pretty fast based on that end of the floor.

He is an asset when hitting but if he ever wants to be a major contributor at Duke he better figure out how to be tougher on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Fightfan1]

I loved what he did offensi

Duke needed it for sure, but he was not good on the other end of the floor, several times on the backside that he was the reason the Cuse got 2nd chance points. If his shot was not falling he would have been pulled pretty fast based on that end of the floor.

He is an asset when hitting but if he ever wants to be a major contributor at Duke he better figure out how to be tougher on the defensive side of the ball.

+1...

He had several opportunities to dive for balls but was hesitant, at least four times let Syracuse players punk him out for rebounds and got beat off the dribble whenever they tried to drive on him.

I loved his offensive output... but his defense and toughness really needs to improve.

 

[Jnood]

Every shot looks like it’s going it, after it hits the ceiling. Which is, in fact, the roof...

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I agree with about everything here. But his minutes are determined by his effort. The more he contributes, the more he plays. I do think that he had a longer leash in both of the Syracuse games due to circumstances. But he has been given opportunities to gain minutes in just about every game this year. Maybe his leash will be longer going forward.

Thing that sucks for him about his other opportunities is that we’ve been healthy so he’s not at the top of scoring options... So, he’ll go 1-2 from 3 (which isn’t bad) but that’s not enough of an offensive statement to earn minutes when he can be a liability on the defensive end.

K’s choice burn Baker’s redshirt is 100% proof that he has no plans to alter the offense for more inside the arc shot selections. If we’re going to shoot 25-30+ 3’s per game, so be it. But we’ll be a hell of a lot better off if O’Connell is accounting for a handful of them.

Duke needed it for sure, but he was not good on the other end of the floor, several times on the backside that he was the reason the Cuse got 2nd chance points. If his shot was not falling he would have been pulled pretty fast based on that end of the floor.

He is an asset when hitting but if he ever wants to be a major contributor at Duke he better figure out how to be tougher on the defensive side of the ball.

I recall one disastrous D-possession of him getting beat back door and totally out of place. No, that’s not good but sacrificing that a time or two per game is worth the offense he’s capable of providing. Our rebounding is much more stable with Zion, so hopefully his IQ in those situations will be negated by Z’s ability to board and paint protect.

 

[df64]

Due to his lack of strength and weight he is going to lose certain battles. That makes it even more vital for him not to make mental errors or fail to hustle. He is the last guy who should ever get burned on a back door cut, fail to box out, or not dive for a lose ball. I can deal with a bigger stronger guy ripping a rebound away from him. I cant deal with him getting burned repeatedly by simple back door cuts or standing still while a guy sprints to the rim from 20+ feet out and gets an uncontested put back.

 

[PatrickYates]

I've said this a couple of times, but it bears repeating nonetheless: AOC needs time to get going. And not time over the course of the game. Whenever he comes in, he needs some time to get settled and get going. It might take a few shots, and a few (and I mean a very few misses) to start making shots. After that, he seems to play better and better as time goes on.
.
Which is fine. Next year, and going forward, we won't really notice the slower starts. Next year, we'll start by setting up Carey, and a few minutes in to the game AOC will get cooking.
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That doesn't help us this year. He does not do well in spurts. But spurts is all he'll see if Duke is healthy and not in foul trouble.
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AOC was great tonight. He saved our bacon. But don't read too much into this. I'm still uncertain if he'll really excel in the role we need him to master THIS year, and that is as a heater off the bench in limited, and sporadic, minutes. He won't often see an unbroken 5+ minutes in a game, if we are all healthy. Ideally, he'd be a guy making 2 out of 5 threes spread over 10-15 mpg. He'd come in, hunt his spot, make a three(s), and go out after player X had gotten a few minutes. Exacerbating this lack of flow is that his MPG would likely be spaced around TV timeouts and stoppages, to maximize the time that one of our starters is resting.
.
But AOC doesn't seem to be able to do that, wrt to getting going suddenly or after going in and out. He'll be fine NEXT year. But I'm not sure he can succeed in the role for which he is needed THIS year.
.
Further, it should be pointed out that his best two games, and arguably his only two good games vs talented teams, have come vs a zone team. Shooters should excel vs those defenses.
.
AGAIN: GREAT GAME TONIGHT AOC. He was the hero of the game (we sort of expect RJ and Zion to be amazing). But be wary of thinking this means he's turned a corner. In any game where he will definitely see long stretches of unbroken minutes, he'll likely be fairly successful. If he's going to be in and out, lower your expectations.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

If Alex is making his shots then I think he should get more minutes. I think the biggest reason that he’s not getting more minutes is because he’s been struggling with his shot. As far as his minutes against Syracuse vs the rest of the games he’s played in, one important thing to remember is that in the 2 Syracuse games the reason he played so many more minutes was because we needed him to out of necessity because in both of those games we were missing key players/starters. First game Cam was out due to illness and Tre went out early in the game due to injury and the second game (tonight) Zion was out due to injury. Hopefully with the way that he played tonight it’ll get his confidence up and he’ll continue making his shots in the minutes that he’s in the game.

 

[christophero]

Alex looked very composed out there. Yes he got burnt a few times but he and RJ turned the game around.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

Alex looked very composed out there. Yes he got burnt a few times but he and RJ turned the game around.

It’s crazy to think that with RJ’s and Alex’s 20 point games tonight we’ve had 4 players that have scored 20 or more points a total of 44 times through 27 games this season.

 

[skysdad]

AOC was fantastic. Now if he's goes 0 for 6 next game and gets lost on D please no bashing. OFC

 

[HuffyJB]

Alex looked very composed out there. Yes he got burnt a few times but he and RJ turned the game around.

K actually praised his defensive performance in the post game. I don't expect consistent 20 point nights from him, but if he can give them some much needed shooting off the bench (without a defensive drop off) it could be a real game changer for an already strong team.

 

[Jtre]

O'Connell played great last night on both ends of the court. He seems to be one of those players who's effort is dictated by how well of a start they get. Knock down a couple jumpers and he's getting after it. Get off to a poor start shooting the ball and O'Connell may be one of those guys who just takes himself out of the game.

Hopefully last night is a legitimate turning point for him. It only bodes well for us if it is, as he seems like he's comfortable getting his within the flow of the offense instead of forcing the issue.

 

[Hurley22]

Alex gets pushed around a little on D, but he actually reads the passing lanes really well.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

AOC was fantastic. Now if he's goes 0 for 6 next game and gets lost on D please no bashing. OFC

Ha!!! I think Alex would have to go 0-40 before I chippered anything. I’ve been saying all year that he needs the chance to play, his shooting can help us. Honestly not even so sure why I’ve been so stuck on his lack of playing time but it’s been eating at me.

 

[Laettner15]

Too bad he’s so unalarmingly not athletic

 

[PatrickYates]

Alex gets pushed around a little on D, but he actually reads the passing lanes really well.

That is why he gets beat. He's trying to jump passing lanes, and guys like that can be baited into trying to get a steal, which allows his assignment to back cut him. All our guys, save Cam and Zion, have gotten beat this way. The only way to stop that is to park an elite rim protector near the rim, or to be absurdly long and athletic (hello Cam and Zion) while also having great defensive hoops IQ. Alex is emulating Zion, Cam, and Tre by trying to jump passing lanes, but he lacks that elite understanding to sense when it is a "trap." He'll learn.
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Further, his sins are sins of aggression, rather than sins of passivity, or laziness, or stupidity. I'll never get on a kid for being too aggressive. Time and experience will correct those mistakes.

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

Great game from Alex! If he continues to play that way and Baker becomes productive, then look out. If White goes back to his early season form and everyone stays healthy, then #6 is on its way.

 

[Hurley22]

That is why he gets beat. He's trying to jump passing lanes, and guys like that can be baited into trying to get a steal, which allows his assignment to back cut him. All our guys, save Cam and Zion, have gotten beat this way. The only way to stop that is to park an elite rim protector near the rim, or to be absurdly long and athletic (hello Cam and Zion) while also having great defensive hoops IQ. Alex is emulating Zion, Cam, and Tre by trying to jump passing lanes, but he lacks that elite understanding to sense when it is a "trap." He'll learn.
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Further, his sins are sins of aggression, rather than sins of passivity, or laziness, or stupidity. I'll never get on a kid for being too aggressive. Time and experience will correct those mistakes.

Yea I agree with most of that. He does gamble sometimes without the ability to recover, but he also prevents the ball from going where the O wants it to go as well. I agree though, can't ever blame a kid for being aggressive.

 

[timo0402]

RJ gets the gameball, but Alex was huge. Third was Ques and his performance in the 2nd half. Message sent. Message received loud and clear.

 

[Mpm277]

34mpg vs ‘Cuse
10mpg vs everyone else
Hard to show yourself off when you average 10 minutes and you’re virtually the last scoring option.

I know he has ridden the bench because of his defensive liability but I think for the betterment of this offense it’s smarter to just eat a couple defensive lapses for his shooting capabilities. The off-ball tight defense that his shooting demands will open up those pack-line and condensed zones we play against, too. Basically - everyone will benefit from his presence whether he’s scoring or not.

AOC had an amazing showing last night, no doubt. But for the most part, he's a player that could get you 14 relatively consecutively while giving up 20.

 

[Liftee]

I'd like to see AOC head fake a shot and take it to the basket. His dribbling around going nowhere drives me crazy. And perhaps stop turning your head and giving up back door layups?

Cure those 2 issues, and AOC gets a consistent 20 minutes a game. Until then, I doubt it except against a zone team or weaker offensive team.