***DUKE VS NOTRE DAME OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***

[christophero]

This class had a lot of good guys but no great ones really. So multi year guys except for Johnson If the other guys stay together 3 years (doubtful) they could be really good. Even next year they will be good, but superteam seems less and less likely. Although even a solid sweet 16 team looks pretty good at the moment.

 

[GAAP_rivals]

We were the number 2 ranked class

Pretty weak freshman class overall.

 

[bullcity gamer]

The losses have all been frustrating because Duke has had opportunities to win 7 out of the 8 losses (Illinois game being the only exception). Duke is just failing to make winning plays during the last 8 minutes of the game. The coaching staff and the players are trying, just unable to put it all together. It’s a rough season, but I will support the Blue Devils every opportunity I can. Go Duke!

 

[geddoughton23]

Just out of curiosity, what did your coworker want?

My co-worker was telling me about his dog dying last night, and going for a long run this morning. He then asked if he could go home. I'm not his boss, but I felt confident telling him to go home since I could tell that he was finished with this day

 

[BlueDevilStop]

Recap and observations from a night where Duke hit a new low on the season.

https://bluedevilstop.com/duke-falls...ng-early-lead/

 

[denverexpat]

Forgot it was an early game, glad i missed it looking at the box score....another guard lighting us up and we cant stop anyone from scoring it looks like. This season is a dumpster fire. One of the most underachieving Duke teams in decades. Looks like Johnson is in the dog house...and he's a OAD?

 

[DBM0828]

IMO K has not done a good job of coaching. There seems to never be adjustments made in the game. Ryan was dominating, whoever guarded him. Switch to a match up zone, to try to slow him down... The pick and roll was killing towards the end, try a zone to prevent this, he's done it every other game... Try setting up a press, to force a dang turnover, every now and again. Run a dang offense other than horns. I haven't seen one play with a back screen all year. The offense is lousy, and defense is lousy too.

 

[Duke1783]

My co-worker was telling me about his dog dying last night, and going for a long run this morning. He then asked if he could go home. I'm not his boss, but I felt confident telling him to go home since I could tell that he was finished with this day

As much as I wanted to make a joke I can’t. I’m a dog lover and it’s sad

 

[Duke1783]

Forgot it was an early game, glad i missed it looking at the box score....another guard lighting us up and we cant stop anyone from scoring it looks like. This season is a dumpster fire. One of the most underachieving Duke teams in decades. Looks like Johnson is in the dog house...and he's a OAD?

Yeah it’s only 8pm and duke has already lost today

 

[christophero]

I'd joke that it's only early February and our season is over but I'm not sure how funny it would be.

 

[denverexpat]

from 9th in pre-season to sub .500....thats freefall. How did it go so wrong? 2nd ranked recruiting class, a couple of returning players to help....but this product is so unDuke like its just hard to grasp.

 

[AlanInNJ]

This sure is tough to watch sometimes. In one series, tied with 5ish mins left. Johnson gets the ball on the elbow with a smaller defender on him, he has the shot, should make that 7-10 times, instead he makes a bad pass, turnover. Next possession, Hurt with a wide open three, miss......ball goes right to Goldwire, he can't handle it, ND ball. Next possession Baker gets the ball for a three, makes a nice stepback move to get wide open, and bricks it off side iron. We just can't seem to finish a game. 7 ACC losses, in 6 we had a lead in the second half. That's staggering. Wonder if that has ever happened before???

Nice game by Moore, and say what you will, but at least Stewart and Roach will take a shot.

Next.

 

[LeaderofDaPack]

After another disappointing loss, Duke's Coach K eyes the future. 'This will pay off'

https://www.fayobserver.com/story/s...-coach-k-eyes-future-this-pay-off/4457621001/

 

[sheyduke]

This is probably the least mad I've been at a Duke loss ever. I expected it. It really feels like that year in the mid 90's. The good news is we turned it around a few years later. Moore could be really good next year, but my fear is he plays just good enough to become a second rounder. I don't want to pick on Johnson but I have seen nothing that remotely suggests a lottery pick. Maybe in a few years.

The potential is there for Jalen. Key word is ( potential) Ingram wasn’t oozing with all star potential when he left . Took his third season with the lakers and being traded to NO to really show out. I truly believe Johnson is going to be fine in the league.

 

[sheyduke]

After another disappointing loss, Duke's Coach K eyes the future. 'This will pay off'

https://www.fayobserver.com/story/s...-coach-k-eyes-future-this-pay-off/4457621001/

The only issue I have is this, half this team won’t be around to see it pay off and the only players I see it paying off for is those who really don’t want a repeat of this season and who sticks around to remedy it. From the looks of it it’s like saying ,” yeah I have no clue but the ones will remain know what loosing feels like so the only way to go is up because they’ve already been down!”

 

[tclark6]

Haven’t watch much Duke basketball let alone much of any basketball this season...has a lot to do with being over worked working from home. Sad thing is this team will probably be much better next year, but the sad reality is most think they are one and done and not 3/4 year players so they will declare or transfer. Hope to see most of our guys back next year, COVID will be long gone and we get our Crazies back! Stay safe, everyone!

 

[jeffrey236]

The potential is there for Jalen. Key word is ( potential) Ingram wasn’t oozing with all star potential when he left . Took his third season with the lakers and being traded to NO to really show out. I truly believe Johnson is going to be fine in the league.

I keep hearing about potential, but I’m waiting to see it. Jabari Parker was even more hyped and has never lived up to it, but he could clean JJ’s clock without breaking a sweat. A great high school career, great game against an undersized Coppin State and decent game against Pitt isn’t persuading me he’s anything to get excited about. Lots of collegians throwing up better numbers against better teams on a consistent basis.

 

[dukiejay]

I keep hearing about potential, but I’m waiting to see it. Jabari Parker was even more hyped and has never lived up to it, but he could clean JJ’s clock without breaking a sweat. A great high school career, great game against an undersized Coppin State and decent game against Pitt isn’t persuading me he’s anything to get excited about. Lots of collegians throwing up better numbers against better teams on a consistent basis.

That’s unfair. Jabari would have been an NBA All-Star if not for the multiple knee injuries. He’s had horrible luck since his first one in 2014.

 

[dukiejay]

First time in 7,750 days that Duke has a losing record. That’s 21 years and change. Think about it.

 

[christophero]

That's why I never gloat too much when other teams struggle. Because this can always happen.

 

[Laettner15]

First time in 7,750 days that Duke has a losing record. That’s 21 years and change. Think about it.

and if you think about that...if I’m not mistaken that was really early 99 where Duke had a losing record 0-2 lost to Stanford by 1 in OT and then I believe it was UConn- They wound up finishing I believe 29-5 (15-1 in the ACC)...

 

[Duke1783]

and if you think about that...if I’m not mistaken that was really early 99 where Duke had a losing record 0-2 lost to Stanford by 1 in OT and then I believe it was UConn- They wound up finishing I believe 29-5 (15-1 in the ACC)...

Lost first two games of season then went on to a good year with the exception of the sweet 16 loss. Ironically, this was the same team that lost at home to a non-conference team till last year

 

[LouisiAaron]

Bad coaching. We make no adjustments to pick and roll. We never trap or hard hedge. It’s just awful. It seems like we do nothing but individual work and nothing team wise. It’s awful

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Bad coaching. We make no adjustments to pick and roll. We never trap or hard hedge. It’s just awful. It seems like we do nothing but individual work and nothing team wise. It’s awful

In other words current day NBA. We are simply a byproduct of an inferior basketball product in N.America.

 

[hart2chesson]

One telling comment from K in post presser: "This program isnt used to developing talent."
I really admire his HONESTY,and his statement is very valid. When you are used to getting THE BEST (or close to it) from hs ranks annually and going after nattys on SPEED DIAL, a NOT SO GREAT class can really short circuit things. An inexperience or inability to develop talent can spell disaster. To me K was being brutally honest, and I respect his candor.

OFC

 

[Fourteen44]

I’m just here to watch some people lose when K is questioned.....

 

[wcu1113]

In other words current day NBA. We are simply a byproduct of an inferior basketball product in N.America.

Absolutely. Basketball is a terrible product right now. It will continue getting worse until they fix the eligibility rules.

There is no coincidence whatsoever that the four most prevalent OAD programs are all bad at the same time.

 

[christophero]

This season is what it is. I just want to see improvement. On one hand, we are losing close games which is bad. But we are not that far from winning these games either. The defense is a concern, but the fact is we are starting 3 freshman and 2 soph, and none of them are anywhere near RJ/Zion/Tatum level. But there is no reason we cannot bounce back next year. But no one will be ranking us top ten preseason after this fiasco, nor should they.

 

[LouisiAaron]

In other words current day NBA. We are simply a byproduct of an inferior basketball product in N.America.

I agree. It’s obvious we don’t practice just like NBA. I don’t understand how they can do such a bad job with this team. The weaknesses are obvious and we’ve done nothing to change it

 

[K-oach Q]

One telling comment from K in post presser: "This program isnt used to developing talent."
I really admire his HONESTY,and his statement is very valid. When you are used to getting THE BEST (or close to it) from hs ranks annually and going after nattys on SPEED DIAL, a NOT SO GREAT class can really short circuit things. An inexperience or inability to develop talent can spell disaster. To me K was being brutally honest, and I respect his candor.

OFC

I don’t really understand this...

He might as well then say this program isn’t used to having to teach.....which I think has been fairly obvious for years now.

So in essence he’s relied on talent instead of actually having to coach and develop....I can tell you this....anybody can coach talent it’s a lot harder to actually develop the less talented.

This is Ks longest gap between final four appearances since the mid 80s. I think that comment sums it up....He couldn’t get there with Zion, Bagley, Tatum. They don’t come in much more talented than that.....

This program is missing a teaching/developing element. I mean K actually said it.....

 

[Mac9192]

My issue is coaching this era like he’s always coached. Sure, give the best players the most minutes. But, each year the best players are supposed to be the freshmen. You keep pushing the reserves down the line, and new faces come in yearly. There is no balance anymore. Baker should be further along than he is, and I find it hard to believe it’s all him. He played the end of a close ball game yesterday, which he hasn’t been in many end of games, and he seemed excited to possibly hit a huge shot, and we saw how that shot was. Plus he was only in there cause Jalen wasn’t. Brakefield has become a non factor as well.

 

[Laettner]

Bad coaching. We make no adjustments to pick and roll. We never trap or hard hedge. It’s just awful. It seems like we do nothing but individual work and nothing team wise. It’s awful

This is spot on. No hedge & recover, playing angles or fighting over screen. Defense takes hours and hours of 4 man shells, jump to ball, closeouts, slides, & video review with team. Instead our staff is teaching dribbling 4 balls around a chair and slide steps.

Our staff are personal trainers, not X & 0 guys right now. Needs to change.

AAU has ruined players. My sons team, who I’ve coached for 4+ years, beat teams they have no right from talent perspective but can bc we play defense and value each offensive possession. In middle school we spent half summer learning defense.

 

[dukiejay]

I’m just here to watch some people lose when K is questioned.....

Meh, I think we’re all questioning K to some extent. I know I am.

That said, I’d define people as losing it when they say he should retire or the game has passed him by altogether. That’s losing it, IMO.

We can sit and make excuses all we want. Some are probably valid, but it doesn’t change the fact that the team and coaching staff have been a big letdown this season.

From my vantage point we’re trying to outplay teams right now and rely on that. This group can’t do that without execution....and lack of execution from players and staff is overwhelmingly glaring right now. I was hoping maybe a light bulb had went off after the Clemson game, but it appears that was more of a glitch than anything else.

 

[denverexpat]

this comment alone deserves its own thread - "This program isnt used to developing talent."
Its frighteningly honest and extremely troubling for the program's current and future success.

 

[LouisiAaron]

This is spot on. No hedge & recover, playing angles or fighting over screen. Defense takes hours and hours of 4 man shells, jump to ball, closeouts, slides, & video review with team. Instead our staff is teaching dribbling 4 balls around a chair and slide steps.

Our staff are personal trainers, not X & 0 guys right now. Needs to change.

AAU has ruined players. My sons team, who I’ve coached for 4+ years, beat teams they have no right from talent perspective but can bc we play defense and value each offensive possession. In middle school we spent half summer learning defense.

Actually I don’t know what they do at practice. Maybe they don’t even practice. Coach K said they don’t develop players. So they’re not developing or game planning clearly. I just don’t see how he hasn’t looked at this roster HE assembled and can’t put everyone’s strengths together to make a system that actually looks competent. I don’t get it

 

[Duke1783]

In other words current day NBA. We are simply a byproduct of an inferior basketball product in N.America.

I haven’t been able to watch the NBA in over 20 years

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Those stating basketball is a poor product in 2021 couldn't be more wrong. I'm gonna take it as you don't watch the NBA (and that's fine, no judgement here,) but you are wrong. Talent in basketball today has never been better, shooting in 2021 is absolutely ridiculous, if you aren't automatic from 25 feet wide open, the NBA has no use for you. Guys are routinely raining three's from near half court now. There are no longer the overweight power-forwards who have no skill and are just there to "bang." Guys are bigger, faster, stronger, and more skilled than they were 10-20 years ago. The league is deeper too, tons of superstars right now.
The average college freshman is much more talented than they used to be IMO. Take Zion (generational talent, I know) but imagine him actually staying 4 years, it wouldn't be fair. Bilas has said it multiple times, "they dont make freshman nowadays like they used to." I'm aware of the bad habits these freshman have, but they are the same bad habits that freshman used to have. They just don't get to work on them much during college in 2021.

Now with that said....the NBA taking off as a product has hurt the college game. The college game has become essentially a chance for NBA teams to look at 18 year olds and get a feel for them. The biggest problem is the draft is no longer based on "what have you done lately" but the draft is now based on "what will you do for me 3 years from now." Jalen Johnson exemplifies this, his numbers are bad, he's a walking turnover, but he has that god-given ability combined with his size that only .00001% of humans have, that's why the NBA wants him so bad. And this is to Duke's detriment, Jalen is working through all the kinks in his game this year whereas 3 years from now he will be a much more polished product.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

One telling comment from K in post presser: "This program isnt used to developing talent."
I really admire his HONESTY,and his statement is very valid. When you are used to getting THE BEST (or close to it) from hs ranks annually and going after nattys on SPEED DIAL, a NOT SO GREAT class can really short circuit things. An inexperience or inability to develop talent can spell disaster. To me K was being brutally honest, and I respect his candor.

OFC

I thought he meant in developing "youth"...so much youth on this team and not the upperclassmen veterans leading the way.....basically having to expect so much out of young guys so fast.....and me adding that that youth isnt top tier talent wise

 

[hart2chesson]

I thought he meant in developing "youth"...so much youth on this team and not the upperclassmen veterans leading the way.....basically having to expect so much out of young guys so fast.....and me adding that that youth isnt top tier talent wise

Boogie you may be correct, he may have meant developing the younger talent. Regardless its still a serious issue IMO, when an established program like ours is hampered by not developing skill sets. OFC

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Boogie you may be correct, he may have meant developing the younger talent. Regardless its still a serious issue IMO, when an established program like ours is hampered by not developing skill sets. OFC

truly hoping so, as that makes the most sense to me.....i just cant phathom "this program isnt use to developing talent".....to me that means no coaching and work is being done...imo and we know thats not the case....and right before he said that, he emphasized youth