Back from DC....my observations

[BlazerBB]

1. I understand the reliance on zone with our current situation but would have liked to see us man up at the end of regulation. The three to tie was too easy!
2. Maybe it's just me but there seems to be a real rift between K and Brian Kersey? Every time K would say something to him during a timeout or stoppage in play....Kersey would seemingly make it a point to bust up laughing as he walked away....it's like he wanted everyone to see him laughing except K? Pretty sure there was not a joke told in those discussions.
3. Not sure how obvious it is on TV but.....the entire ACC is on Grayson hard. Whether he fouls or gets fouled the haters are all over the place.
4. Chase Jeter is coming on strong!!
5. Can Marshall not flip the mask on top of his head while shooting free throws? He wasn't a great free throw Shooter anyway but those 4 late onea yesterday had ZERO chance of going in.
5. Kennard seems to be the 'X' factor to me.....gives us a desperately needed 3rd scorer when he's on.....yesterday he wasn't.
6. Thorton has all the tools to be really good but......he needs to shoot about 500 threes a day in the off season.
7. I miss the days of 4 games on Friday, 2 on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday (at 1pm!!). This tournament is not as fan friendly as it once was!!
8. Our margin for error is razor thin but we still have enough pieces to make a run to the final 4 if everything breaks right.....we could also lose the first game IMO.

 

[df64]

Ok, you were there, I watched it on tv. On tv, with DVR it looked like Auguste should have fouled out with about 9 fouls. What say you? Did the team look gassed or were there shots not just falling?

 

[Laettner]

Spot on analysis. DT needs to work on shot. Noted the same thing about Marshall with the mask.

11 years ago Redick took same abuse at ACCT, so over the top for college player. No one else in ACC is hated b/c they haven't reached the FF since '09.

 

[SMSMHSHCCND]

Ok, you were there, I watched it on tv. On tv, with DVR it looked like Auguste should have fouled out with about 9 fouls. What say you? Did the team look gassed or were there shots not just falling?

Refs, blah blah, we can't be ND. Refs blah, blah.

 

[crazyduke3]

Some guys on this board get cracked on for criticisms of our players, but whoever brought up DT's shooting technique needs to change or w/e is spot on. Ever since then I've closely watched his 3 point shot and sheesh man..... it's rough. Form isn't horrible looking but the results... he's young though so he has time to get better.

I think the reason yesterday hurt so bad was for about 18 minutes we looked like we truly had a real shot at the FF and then suddenly we started playing HORRIBLY. Hopes lifted so high, then dashed so quickly.

 

[HuffyJB]

Refs, blah blah, we can't be ND. Refs blah, blah.

That is a well thought out, insightful rebuttal, rife with analysis and commentary. It is as clear and concise as your screen name. Kudos.

And, not to be this guy, but why would Duke want to be ND? ND's national championships are beating Duke. Duke's championships are. . .championships. But congrats. There is no doubt Brey and ND have found the way to really get up for Duke. Duke will continue to struggle with them until they can respond in kind, which they have rarely done since ND joined the conference.

And I think being older has been a big benefit to ND the last two years. That seems to be a theme in all of college basketball this year. Unlike recent years, a lot of the best players (Hield, Valentine, Brogden, Ellis, etc.) are seniors.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

It sure is crazy that we are 1-5 against ND in the last 3 years. Brey learning K's principles by being his assistant coach. However, ND made school history last year by making an Elite 8.
We made the Elite 8 in 2013 and I was sad..................

 

[Mark Gastineau]

whoever brought up DT's shooting technique needs to change or w/e is spot on. Ever since then I've closely watched his 3 point shot and sheesh man..... it's rough. Form isn't horrible looking but the results... he's young though so he has time to get better..

I didn't mention his shooting form necessarily, but I did start a thread saying he was going to give me an ulcer with how much he rushed the offense and took ill-advised shots early in the shot clock. He's definitely improved since that rant earlier in the season, but there were certainly some questionable decisions on his part in the second half when we kept turning the ball over.

 

[dukiejay]

Some guys on this board get cracked on for criticisms of our players, but whoever brought up DT's shooting technique needs to change or w/e is spot on. Ever since then I've closely watched his 3 point shot and sheesh man..... it's rough. Form isn't horrible looking but the results... he's young though so he has time to get better.

I think the reason yesterday hurt so bad was for about 18 minutes we looked like we truly had a real shot at the FF and then suddenly we started playing HORRIBLY. Hopes lifted so high, then dashed so quickly.

Two points....

1) Constructive criticisms are one thing....backlash against players is another. Thornton obviously doesn't have the best form or technique on his jump shot. That's pretty obvious. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a criticism. It's the truth. Matt doesn't have great form, either. It is what it is. And to be honest, I'm not sure either player's form is going to improve much. When they reach the age they're at now few players are capable to adjusting to a complete overhaul. It's more about becoming efficient. We've seen a lot of past Duke players (Matt is actually among them) who despite poor(er) mechanics have become respectable shooters in college....Will Avery, Chris Carrawell, Sean Dockery, Gerald Henerderson, etc.

2) Couldn't agree with you more on the pain of yesterday's loss. I was bummed and didn't watch more than five minutes of the two games last night. We went from wow to what in the hell is going on in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It's actually frightful when you think about it.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

^demarcus nelson had a janky looking shot as well

 

[nets on nets on nets]

^ As did Dave McClure. MMMMMMMMMMCCCCCCCCLLLLLUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[DukeDenver]

1. I understand the reliance on zone with our current situation but would have liked to see us man up at the end of regulation. The three to tie was too easy!

Actually Matt should have been out there, there was no reason for him to collapse all the way down like he did.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Actually Matt should have been out there, there was no reason for him to collapse all the way down like he did.

i thought the same exact thing...he dropped too deep a guy catching the ball at the freethrow area isnt an immediate threat as is a guy who has been getting hot from 3 land standing wide open....that play hurt big time

 

[nets on nets on nets]

i thought the same exact thing...he dropped too deep a guy catching the ball at the freethrow area isnt an immediate threat as is a guy who has been getting hot from 3 land standing wide open....that play hurt big time

He saw an open guy down low (which he was wide open). I thought Matt made the right play, you always give up the open 3 rather than the open dunk. Just didnt work out in our favor.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

He saw an open guy down low (which he was wide open). I thought Matt made the right play, you always give up the open 3 rather than the open dunk. Just didnt work out in our favor.

i dont recall it being a dunk opportunity as the guy was around the freethrow line area and luke had rotated over and others were in the area...i would have to look back at it, but a 2 pointer of any variety during that play, we still hold the lead....and yes matt made the right play, just maybe sagged a bit too far down and away from his assignment....maybe he was right and luke came off too soon or too far...idk, but either way, a big time make by beachem......no watch he goes 0-for everything tonight....lol

 

[bluedevilfan42]

2) Couldn't agree with you more on the pain of yesterday's loss. I was bummed and didn't watch more than five minutes of the two games last night. We went from wow to what in the hell is going on in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It's actually frightful when you think about it.

I've handled the majority of our losses this year with minimal emotional impact but yesterday's loss really bothered me. To go from elation to dismay and disappointment in such a short time really got to me. I was bummed out all evening and probably only watched two minutes of the VT/Miami game last night and could not have cared less.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I've handled the majority of our losses this year with minimal emotional impact but yesterday's loss really bothered me. To go from elation to dismay and disappointment in such a short time really got to me. I was bummed out all evening and probably only watched two minutes of the VT/Miami game last night and could not have cared less.

I also thought yesterday's loss was the most painful all season. That, and the back to back home losses to ND and Cuse are all right there. Mainly because we should never lose at home to those types of teams.

 

[pisgah101]

Hopefully the way we ended the game gets the guys attention to LISTEN to coach this week and develop a "step on their throat" mentality. As for form I'm a purest and want great form from shooters-Matts form is awful but he manages to hit his... Thornton I close my eyes everytime he shoots because I have no faith because it's never anything but a turnover

 

[adm015]

Thornton did have a couple of wide open 3's that if he would have hit would have been huge for us, but every game I watch I expect teams to miss shots even when they are wide open, the thing that frustrates me if the costly rebounds we give up. It seem like when the game is close we give up a lot of and-ones or the team misses but we can't get a rebound that is huge when playing in March Madness.

 

[df64]

If Thornton improves his shot, he will be deadly next year. He won't need to take a lot, but those Hurley like daggers are one thing this team really missed from his play this year. He could have buried ND while scoring without having a big scoring night if he hit one of those late 3s.

 

[dadecodevil]

Thornton will be fine all around. I have said this before, but anybody on here remember a freshman and sophomore Quinn Cook? This kid is younger than Quinn than his freshman year, and in my opinion far ahead of him. Quinn worked out, DT will too. I agree with Luke being the x factor. We need him to be big in games like Notre Dame. Im still in DC, wearing my Duke gear everyday, and the conference hates Grayson, but that is because that kid is a gritty badass. They can hate him cuz they damn sure cant stop him.

 

[LongTimeDukeFan]

That is a well thought out, insightful rebuttal, rife with analysis and commentary. It is as clear and concise as your screen name. Kudos.

And, not to be this guy, but why would Duke want to be ND? ND's national championships are beating Duke. Duke's championships are. . .championships. But congrats. There is no doubt Brey and ND have found the way to really get up for Duke. Duke will continue to struggle with them until they can respond in kind, which they have rarely done since ND joined the conference.

And I think being older has been a big benefit to ND the last two years. That seems to be a theme in all of college basketball this year. Unlike recent years, a lot of the best players (Hield, Valentine, Brogden, Ellis, etc.) are seniors.

That Brey guy seems pretty good at coaching himself....wonder if he had a good mentor?

 

[Dattier]

Two points....

1) Constructive criticisms are one thing....backlash against players is another. Thornton obviously doesn't have the best form or technique on his jump shot. That's pretty obvious. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a criticism. It's the truth. Matt doesn't have great form, either. It is what it is. And to be honest, I'm not sure either player's form is going to improve much. When they reach the age they're at now few players are capable to adjusting to a complete overhaul. It's more about becoming efficient. We've seen a lot of past Duke players (Matt is actually among them) who despite poor(er) mechanics have become respectable shooters in college....Will Avery, Chris Carrawell, Sean Dockery, Gerald Henerderson, etc.

2) Couldn't agree with you more on the pain of yesterday's loss. I was bummed and didn't watch more than five minutes of the two games last night. We went from wow to what in the hell is going on in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It's actually frightful when you think about it.

I'll add one: Critiquing a player harshly but fairly is acceptable, but assuming you know the solution, and that the solution is to play some player from the bench about whom all you know is his height and a high school highlight reel on Youtube is not going to be well received.

So what's this about Derryck's shot? I know it's not great, but he's actually hitting a better % of his 3s on the season than Luke, and I think we all accept Luke as a guy w/ the greenlight. He had the same points as Luke on way fewer shots vs ND, too. I would hope any freshman would improve his shot over the course of his career, but why so heavy an emphasis on it here?

 

[duke0527]

Yeah, I don't get the continued criticism of DT. I think he's been better than several other freshman guards Duke has had in the past. He reminds me of the PGs Pitino tends to have. Really quick, gets after it on D and a suspect shot. With the firepower Duke has coming in the next few years I'm excited to have a PG that can actually defend.

 

[Get Nasty]

Some guys on this board get cracked on for criticisms of our players, but whoever brought up DT's shooting technique needs to change or w/e is spot on. Ever since then I've closely watched his 3 point shot and sheesh man..... it's rough. Form isn't horrible looking but the results... he's young though so he has time to get better.

I think the reason yesterday hurt so bad was for about 18 minutes we looked like we truly had a real shot at the FF and then suddenly we started playing HORRIBLY. Hopes lifted so high, then dashed so quickly.

Thank you, his form has a long long ways to go. It is hard to make drastic shot changes after playing for so long. Should have been fixed 8 years ago.

 

[Get Nasty]

Hopefully the way we ended the game gets the guys attention to LISTEN to coach this week and develop a "step on their throat" mentality. As for form I'm a purest and want great form from shooters-Matts form is awful but he manages to hit his... Thornton I close my eyes everytime he shoots because I have no faith because it's never anything but a turnover

Matt manages his shot well but he has no range, needs lots of space, and can't shoot off dribble.

 

[Get Nasty]

Thornton will be fine all around. I have said this before, but anybody on here remember a freshman and sophomore Quinn Cook? This kid is younger than Quinn than his freshman year, and in my opinion far ahead of him. Quinn worked out, DT will too. I agree with Luke being the x factor. We need him to be big in games like Notre Dame. Im still in DC, wearing my Duke gear everyday, and the conference hates Grayson, but that is because that kid is a gritty badass. They can hate him cuz they damn sure cant stop him.

Quinn had a good shot, but minimal athleticism. Thornton has the athleticism without the shot or feel for the game. Feel is easier to get than the form.

 

[Get Nasty]

Yeah, I don't get the continued criticism of DT. I think he's been better than several other freshman guards Duke has had in the past. He reminds me of the PGs Pitino tends to have. Really quick, gets after it on D and a suspect shot. With the firepower Duke has coming in the next few years I'm excited to have a PG that can actually defend.

My criticism comes from the question, can we win it all with him playing heavy minutes at pg? Right now my answer is....very unlikely or no. If he doesn't improve a lot and Grayson comes back the pg position will be very interesting, as most know i'm a big frank fan.

 

[Crank_it_loud]

My criticism comes from the question, can we win it all with him playing heavy minutes at pg? Right now my answer is....very unlikely or no. If he doesn't improve a lot and Grayson comes back the pg position will be very interesting, as most know i'm a big frank fan.

Thornton will be running the show next year. Let it go.

 

[Get Nasty]

Thornton will be running the show next year. Let it go.

thanks coach K. Hopefully the position gets earned in practice.

 

[Kingbluedevil]

Thornton will be running the show next year. Let it go.

He will have to improve on his passing and decision making which I think he will Our stall ball has not worked as well this year due to guys not being able to create at the end of the shot clock. It always came down to Allen and Ingram.

 

[Crank_it_loud]

thanks coach K. Hopefully the position gets earned in practice.

You're welcome, but I'm not coach K.

I can be negative here, but I am the most positive man in the world when compared to you. Come to think of it, I don't think you've said anything positive overall on this board. Let's see if you can break that trend.

 

[df64]

I expect Thornton to be great on D and solid to very good on offense next year. And, next year, the offensive demands will be minimal on him if he is the starting point guard. I would be more than happy with him running the point next year unless he makes zero improvement, which is doubtful.

 

[Get Nasty]

You're welcome, but I'm not coach K.

I can be negative here, but I am the most positive man in the world when compared to you. Come to think of it, I don't think you've said anything positive overall on this board. Let's see if you can break that trend.

Your eyes are breathtaking

 

[Anon1728003274]

Your eyes are breathtaking

Lol...

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Your eyes are breathtaking

That's all you have? I should have figured by your incoherent rambling and run-on sentences that would be all we would get. Oh well. Get back to bashing Duke players; it's about all you're good for here.

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Lol...

You two can be the bash brothers. That fair?

 

[skysdad]

1. I understand the reliance on zone with our current situation but would have liked to see us man up at the end of regulation. The three to tie was too easy!
2. Maybe it's just me but there seems to be a real rift between K and Brian Kersey? Every time K would say something to him during a timeout or stoppage in play....Kersey would seemingly make it a point to bust up laughing as he walked away....it's like he wanted everyone to see him laughing except K? Pretty sure there was not a joke told in those discussions.
3. Not sure how obvious it is on TV but.....the entire ACC is on Grayson hard. Whether he fouls or gets fouled the haters are all over the place.
4. Chase Jeter is coming on strong!!
5. Can Marshall not flip the mask on top of his head while shooting free throws? He wasn't a great free throw Shooter anyway but those 4 late onea yesterday had ZERO chance of going in.
5. Kennard seems to be the 'X' factor to me.....gives us a desperately needed 3rd scorer when he's on.....yesterday he wasn't.
6. Thorton has all the tools to be really good but......he needs to shoot about 500 threes a day in the off season.
7. I miss the days of 4 games on Friday, 2 on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday (at 1pm!!). This tournament is not as fan friendly as it once was!!
8. Our margin for error is razor thin but we still have enough pieces to make a run to the final 4 if everything breaks right.....we could also lose the first game IMO.

My observations from my recliner.

1. We played like crap. OFC

 

[Anon1728003274]

You two can be the bash brothers. That fair?

Crank it, all brothers here at end of day my friend, "Duke brothers."

My observations from my recliner.

1. We played like crap. OFC

Agreed Sky, last 10 minutes very forgettable,,,

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Crank it, all brothers here at end of day my friend, "Duke brothers."

If so, some are positive, some negative....