***DUKE VS TENNESSEE STATE OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***

[Mpm277]

I think so too, Mpm. I'm not worried about this Duke team at all.

OFC

No one here was worried about this team after the UNLV game and now there are all these serious concerns. Bolden and Tatum are only a few games into their season, but it's a very much "What are you doing for me right now?" attitude for some.

 

[skysdad]

If it hadn't been for Luke I feel we would have gotten beat. Game ball Luke. Next game. OFC

 

[SoCal Dukie]

I hear tiny violins

Lol so true. I'm even calling myself out. I guess it's the expectations I have in my mind! They'll be fine.

 

[MyDudeG_rivals]

I'm really thankful for the quick turnaround right now. Hopefully we regained some rhythm during the game and it shows next game.

 

[Neners]

I hear tiny violins

I'm impressed you can hear them under all the panic and screaming

 

[Dukesince90]

We seem to have a lot of fans panicking. This has to be one of Coach K's most difficult teams to manage. When you think about trying to blend the freshmen with the veteran players and then having the injuries to deal
with, it's been a tough beginning. You can't just plug player A here for B and expect things to just be perfect. K will figure it out and we will all be happy come March.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

Tough game to watch....great second half in building the lead to 20 points...got too lax at the end to let the lead get cut in half...but hey...we won and we are still a work in progress....and we only gave up 55 points

 

[twdukefan]

Tough game to watch....great second half in building the lead to 20 points...got too lax at the end to let the lead get cut in half...but hey...we won and we are still a work in progress....and we only gave up 55 points

But I thought our defense was awful; we want that UK defense that has given up 100 and 97 points to two of their opponents I guess

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

I said it before, if K can handle the Olympic team, he can figure this out

 

[Neners]

Also, and don't quote me on this, every single game I can remember after exam period we have played horribly. I remember being at the Duke-Elon game in 2014 with my mom. I was so pumped because we'd just eviscerated Wisconsin on the road and played at a really high level, and I told her before the game, "It probably won't be a good one, but at least you'll get to see Cameron." Got to that game and Elon just took it to us at home. We won but it was dicey. It happens every year and every year people panic. Step back. Everything will be all right!

 

[Kingbluedevil]

We are going to look bad some nights not having a true point guard to set everything up. Franks ball handling is too shaky at this point to get more minutes. If I was playing Duke I would not guard Matt at all outside the foul line until he made a couple. We will be fine just got to get everyone playing together.

 

[DukeDenver]

We have a championship level core of Luke, Grayson, Tatum and Amile. We just need 2 more guys to rise to the occasion by late Feb. Matt and Chase are live bodies for depth, but we'll need two from Frank, Bolden, Harry or Javin to turn the corner in the next 15 games to be a real contender.

 

[dukehokie]

Duke didn't run but 3-4 quick hitters all game. They didn't run the normal offense and they played the shootaround game. It's also not unheard of for a team not to have watched much tape or any tape on an upcoming opponent, especially if they have their own stuff to iron out.

Call me not even concerned about this game. Think about how many times Jayson attacked or posted before that last 5 minutes. I bet if you go back it would be less than 5. Grayson rarely attacked and Amile didn't get many high post drives. If it didn't look like your typical Duke team, I guarantee that was by design. We won't see normal Duke until VT. I bet Elon looks similar just the shots will be dropping.

 

[dukehokie]

We have a championship level core of Luke, Grayson, Tatum and Amile. We just need 2 more guys to rise to the occasion by late Feb. Matt and Chase are live bodies for depth, but we'll need two from Frank, Bolden, Harry or Javin to turn the corner in the next 15 games to be a real contender.

The best bet seems to be Frank and Marques with Harry being the x-factor.

 

[KellenPatrick]

Tonight was Harry's long awaited "debut", huh? Four minutes in the first half and that's it?? Why even bother. Ridiculous.

 

[Mpm277]

Also, and don't quote me on this, every single game I can remember after exam period we have played horribly.

- Neners.

 

[twdukefan]

Also, and don't quote me on this, every single game I can remember after exam period we have played horribly. I remember being at the Duke-Elon game in 2014 with my mom. I was so pumped because we'd just eviscerated Wisconsin on the road and played at a really high level, and I told her before the game, "It probably won't be a good one, but at least you'll get to see Cameron." Got to that game and Elon just took it to us at home. We won but it was dicey. It happens every year and every year people panic. Step back. Everything will be all right!

You're right, but Duke of course has to be running on all cylinders regardless of situation

 

[gottagonow]

No one here was worried about this team after the UNLV game and now there are all these serious concerns. Bolden and Tatum are only a few games into their season, but it's a very much "What are you doing for me right now?" attitude for some.

MPM I know you are probably talking about me for saying they played poorly but guess what? They played as poorly in the first half as any Duke team I can remember. 27 points in a half game is not getting it done. If you do not expect better play from the team thats on you. I expect better and thats me.

 

[Mpm277]

MPM I know you are probably talking about me for saying they played poorly but guess what? They played as poorly in the first half as any Duke team I can remember. 27 points in a half game is not getting it done. If you do not expect better play from the team thats on you. I expect better and thats me.

It wasn't about you specifically. They definitely played poorly this game.

 

[twdukefan]

Duke didn't run but 3-4 quick hitters all game. They didn't run the normal offense and they played the shootaround game. It's also not unheard of for a team not to have watched much tape or any tape on an upcoming opponent, especially if they have their own stuff to iron out.

Call me not even concerned about this game. Think about how many times Jayson attacked or posted before that last 5 minutes. I bet if you go back it would be less than 5. Grayson rarely attacked and Amile didn't get many high post drives. If it didn't look like your typical Duke team, I guarantee that was by design. We won't see normal Duke until VT. I bet Elon looks similar just the shots will be dropping.

Duke at its worst and Tenn St playing pretty solidly, and Duke still got out to a 20 point lead. This wasn't UNC pulling out a squeaker against Tenn

 

[gottagonow]

Duke didn't run but 3-4 quick hitters all game. They didn't run the normal offense and they played the shootaround game. It's also not unheard of for a team not to have watched much tape or any tape on an upcoming opponent, especially if they have their own stuff to iron out.

Call me not even concerned about this game. Think about how many times Jayson attacked or posted before that last 5 minutes. I bet if you go back it would be less than 5. Grayson rarely attacked and Amile didn't get many high post drives. If it didn't look like your typical Duke team, I guarantee that was by design. We won't see normal Duke until VT. I bet Elon looks similar just the shots will be dropping.

Hokie I don't understand what you mean by most of your post. What do you mean their play was by design?

 

[DukeDenver]

All of us in the first half:

 

[dukiejay]

Probably some unnecessary panic, but understandable at the same time.

I don't think this game went as K had envisioned. Giles was clearly nervous and pressing a bit....there just never seemed like a time to insert him in that second half. I think K did that more for him mentally. Going from not playing for 13 months to being back and playing in a tight game the first time back was more than K wanted to throw at the kid.

My only concern has more to do with Marques. He just looks off and there's no sync, from him or the rest of the team, when he's in the game. I'm starting think he could be the odd man out this season....hope I'm wrong.

Other than that, we just didn't play well. I'm not going to get to up in arms over it. I've never bought into the notion that we're unbeatable or world beaters. We can be pretty damn good, but we're not there right now.

 

[skysdad]

Duke didn't run but 3-4 quick hitters all game. They didn't run the normal offense and they played the shootaround game. It's also not unheard of for a team not to have watched much tape or any tape on an upcoming opponent, especially if they have their own stuff to iron out.

Call me not even concerned about this game. Think about how many times Jayson attacked or posted before that last 5 minutes. I bet if you go back it would be less than 5. Grayson rarely attacked and Amile didn't get many high post drives. If it didn't look like your typical Duke team, I guarantee that was by design. We won't see normal Duke until VT. I bet Elon looks similar just the shots will be dropping.

As many of you know Elon is 5 minutes from my house so I follow them here locally. They shoot and make a lot of 3's and aren't afraid to keep firing them up so teams have to guard against that. They aren't big and are a guard oriented team. After saying that we can and should beat them by 50. They gave us a good game down at Cameron a couple of years ago. OFC

 

[bluemetro]

Have to game plan them to be pushed off the three point line. That is where Marquis Bolden was supposed to be the big game changer, threatening shots, blocking some, limiting to one shot. He was hurt, has not shown much at all, Jeter still ahead of him in rotation. This is one area of concern, because Amile is really fantastic but can't do it all against ACC teams every game. MB looks a bit uncomfortable out there and does not have K's confidence at all. Giles will eventually get more time, just dipping a toe in the water tonight.

 

[Neners]

- Neners.

I see what you did there LOL

 

[DukeDenver]

To be fair to Bolden, he looked better tonight. He took the right shots but didn't finish. He altered one or two shots. He just doesn't seem very engaged like Jeter does. Body language and communication are important at Duke. Just ask Quinn Cook. Maybe he's the kind of guy who needs to be pissed off to play well. If so, I hope someone from Elon elbows him in the stomach a bit too hard.

 

[Showenuff]

Heheh. You're only as good as your last game ay? We're a great team. After UNLV we were world beaters, now we're nobody? Lots of new things still going on here that aren't going on with other teams. Harry's a big distraction. Tatum and Bolden were as well. Look at UNC , after Tennessee , we thought they were horrible, after UK, we thought they were great. We're gonna have some rough spots. We are far away from locked into our rotation still. If we can make it through the bumps with some ugly wins, great. Don't quit on this team, you'd be crazy to do it. Keep the faith men. Good times are coming.

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[jnastasi]

Tough game after a long layoff. Nothing to worry about. Giles looked very gingerly out there. Hopefully that'll improve. We'll be fine come march.

 

[timo0402]

I'm in that video!!

 

[crazyduke3]

Very happy. Harry played and we won. All good enough for me.

 

[dukedevilz]

Tennessee State is ranked 64th in the RPI. To put that in perspective, they are ranked ahead of the likes of Georgetown, SMU, Kansas State, Clemson, Miami, California, Marquette, Michigan, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, LSU, and Syracuse. The only teams we've faced this year with a higher RPI, are Kansas, Florida, and Rhode Island. Tennessee State is a very, very good team. Yes, we played poorly. But TSU is an NCAA Tournament-caliber team that could easily upset someone in the first round. If we were playing poorly against Clemson, Miami, or Syracuse I don't think we'd suddenly feel doom and gloom - simply because we're familiar with those programs.

Their team to came to play, and they deserve credit for that. Our offense flowed a lot better in the second half and I imagine it will pick up in the next few games as we develop more chemistry. Wouldn't trade our guys for anyone else.

 

[gottagonow]

Heheh. You're only as good as your last game ay? We're a great team. After UNLV we were world beaters, now we're nobody? Lots of new things still going on here that aren't going on with other teams. Harry's a big distraction. Tatum and Bolden were as well. Look at UNC , after Tennessee , we thought they were horrible, after UK, we thought they were great. We're gonna have some rough spots. We are far away from locked into our rotation still. If we can make it through the bumps with some ugly wins, great. Don't quit on this team, you'd be crazy to do it. Keep the faith men. Good times are coming.

No way I'm gonna quit on the team but I must say I was pretty bummed out after the game. I want to see them hitting on all cylinders and we are sputtering. I was just so hyped before the game with Harry playing and the layoff over and so damn wanting to see something to make me feel great but it didn't happen. I think many are like me in that we are frustrated with whats happened so far this season with injuries. I know I need to have more patience.

 

[DukeDenver]

Wouldn't trade our guys for anyone else.

I'd take Malik Monk as a walk on though.

 

[Duke-23]

I'd take lonzo ball

 

[Duke-23]

I'm irritated with the rotation and minutes more then anything.that and what looks like we havnt practiced since unlv

 

[Quavarius]

Just burn this game

Interesting: Tennessee State has the 54th best rated defense per KenPom.

 

[Showenuff]

Give me Grayson, Luke , Amile , Jayson and Frank for a starting 5. Work in the rest as needed. Harry will take some time. We'll have a few more ugly games for sure, just got to keep working towards healthy first and chemistry second. It will come.