***DUKE VS. UNLV POST-GAME THREAD***

[dukehokie]

Big, big win.

This win was expected, but to do it the way Duke did it today was efficient, effective and devastating. Good, disciplined teams beat the teams they're supposed to beat like Duke did tonight. This same type of performance against a better competitor is probably still worth a comfortable margin of victory.

Grayson looks to be back and motivated as hell!

Jayson again showed flashes of why he is who he is and is close to putting it all together.

Luke was efficient and didn't force things.

Amile was his normal double-double self. It's becoming cliche to say it which is wrong, because to string together doubles that way is All-America caliber.

Everyone else contributed something when they got in as well. Ques even played a solid, patient game in the post.

Tonight's questions: With the imminent return of Harry Giles, who do you see retaining minutes with this squad?

AND

After tonight, do you feel Duke is the best team in America right now?

 

[BlueDevils725]

Hey Dukehokie, first of all - sorry I'm late but congratulations! My little boy just turned 6 months old and you have an amazing time ahead of you.

Secondly, this team is absolutely insane. I don't think there is a team in America who isn't terrified of us right now. A legitimate question is, how the hell do you guard us? I just don't see it happening unless everyone has an off night.....which is about a 1 in a million chance of happening. With Giles coming back it's hard to tell who will be retaining minutes.....but I do know one thing, if he is even 75% of his old self then I feel bad for anyone who runs into us.

We are the best team in America regardless of what anyone says. GO DUKE!

 

[dukehokie]

Thank you @BlueDevils725 , I know you're loving your time with your son, because I can't get enough of my little lady.

I'm still holding out our place among the nation's elite just because we now have an injury history and our guys are still working into form and court chemistry. I think KU is up there, UCLA can prove they're here to stay with a big win over Michigan, Kentucky still may have the most talented backcourt in America (I said may) to go with what will round out to be a top 5 front court. UNC has a lot of talented veterans. As Nova shows and Duke has for years, veteran play goes a long way. I'm not as impressed with Nova as I once was, and Baylor has some tournament demons to exercise.

Either way there is some really good college basketball happening right now and Duke is close to the mountain top.

 

[Duke-23]

Nitpicking but Ques was horrible. I'm not saying he is, but imo he will be here next year. maybe it's not practicing I don't know.anybody else know what's wrong with him?These next 2 games he really needs some PT to be ready by acc play.Imo K really needs to leave him in longer to get him in some type of rhythm.I really don't understand his PT right now.
Jefferson -his usual double double self I love him
The splash brothers Kennard/Allen -my god! Enough said lol
Tatum-still trying to feel his way in but is showing flashes of why he's a lottery pick.
Jackson-is explosive. when he gets his confidence up look out!!
Jones- continues to see the floor
Jeter- will sleep good tonight offers some depth
Giles -I can't wait!
Nobody can beat us but us

 

[GTHC_ GTH!]

Best team. O doubt. Yes UCLA and Baylor have done well and may have better resumes, but Duke was the prohibitive favorite for a reason. We are getting healthier by the day. We are the best team. And not even 100% yet

 

[dukiejay]

We probably played our most complete game of the season. Granted, it was against a pretty bad team in UNLV, but I like that we put them away early and never looked back.

This team is getting better. Everyone knows it....especially the haters. We're starting to get a glimpse of why this team was expected to be special. It will be good for them to have nine days off and recoup a bit. Breaks are needed.

 

[BluePhil]

We probably played our most complete game of the season. Granted, it was against a pretty bad team in UNLV, but I like that we put them away early and never looked back.

This team is getting better. Everyone knows it....especially the haters. We're starting to get a glimpse of why this team was expected to be special. It will be good for them to have nine days off and recoup a bit. Breaks are needed.

Personally I do not like to get too excited yet. We still have some questions IMO.

- Consistency on defense
- Point Guard
- Matchup with fast athletic guard teams

 

[dukiejay]

It's guarded optimism, but just watching you can clearly tell this team could be special.

 

[JumboShrimp017]

Regardless of the caliber of the Runnin' Rebels, I particularly liked the effort on defense. I know kenpom isn't the end all be all, but iirc Duke was in the low twenties in defensive efficiency coming into the game and is now 14th. Looking forward to seeing if this team can become a truly elite defensive unit over the course of the season, especially with the impending return of Giles.

 

[dukehokie]

Personally I do not like to get too excited yet. We still have some questions IMO.

- Consistency on defense
- Point Guard
- Matchup with fast athletic guard teams

I agree about defense and the problem I see is that most of the top teams Duke will be contending with, fit the category of "fast athletic guards" and "dribble drive". I don't a 40-minute, no one scores type of defensive effort, because we aren't that team and that will hurt the offensive flow, but key stops in key places will be necessary to win a title.

This team hasn't played a press your face off defense yet, but IMO, the offensive efficiency this team has showed has illustrated that it really won't be a big problem. That may change with a team who throws out huge pressure, but this team is set up like an NBA offense where anyone can do what's needed to get the offense set.

Either way, our team's problem aren't anywhere near the level of the strengths. That is huge. Past teams couldn't recover from less than stellar defense, this team can. Or lack of point guard or rebounding (though this is a really good rebounding team) or whatever.

 

[twdukefan]

Regardless of the caliber of the Runnin' Rebels, I particularly liked the effort on defense. I know kenpom isn't the end all be all, but iirc Duke was in the low twenties in defensive efficiency coming into the game and is now 14th. Looking forward to seeing if this team can become a truly elite defensive unit over the course of the season, especially with the impending return of Giles.

The team certainly doesn't lack for athleticism, and if they keep up a consistent effort and communicate consistently we'll see plenty of games like tonight.

 

[Guy Smiley]

Great team performance! I'm still waiting for Bolden to show me something. Step 1: sprint up and down the court.

 

[Showenuff]

I don't think we are the best team in the nation yet , I can easily say we are one of the best. Of course there's a group there. It's easy to say our potential is absolutely ridiculous. Yes. Without a doubt we can win it all this year. Grayson Allen is a rabid grizzly jaguar on steroids. As long as the supplement team keeps his supply of raw prairie kill available HES going to be lights out all season. It's fantastic where LUKE has gone. He's simply as confident with the ball as anyone I've seen. Silly I know but I'm starting to call him "little Larry" (Bird). I found it hilarious at one point of the game the announcer said that finally HERE comes the bench....and the starting lineup came in. LOL. I love Tatums game, still lots of work there but you can see what is there. Frank, I'm betting he returns next year and he will wreak amazing havoc. Kids electric. He's gliding along slow and smooth and suddenly he explodes. Love his fire. Amile has arrived. He's the man. He's solid as stone and the voice of the team. He gives 100% every second, so happy for him after the pain of riding that bench last season had to eat his soul. I think Bolden has the longest race to run yet. He still needs some coaching down low. Bringing the ball down to often and the footwork still a bit rusty. I love JAVIN ! It kinda sucks we are so loaded this season but that's ok cause he'll be back. He has greatness we all get to see before he's gone. I'm hoping somebody like DJ makes up a vid of just an all dunks compilation from this game, that would be badass! This game was fun to watch. I'm really excited to see our growth, I think it's only begun. GO DUKE !

 

[dukehokie]

I don't think we are the best team in the nation yet , I can easily say we are one of the best. Of course there's a group there. It's easy to say our potential is absolutely ridiculous. Yes. Without a doubt we can win it all this year. Grayson Allen is a rabid grizzly jaguar on steroids. As long as the supplement team keeps his supply of raw prairie kill available HES going to be lights out all season. It's fantastic where LUKE has gone. He's simply as confident with the ball as anyone I've seen. Silly I know but I'm starting to call him "little Larry" (Bird). I found it hilarious at one point of the game the announcer said that finally HERE comes the bench....and the starting lineup came in. LOL. I love Tatums game, still lots of work there but you can see what is there. Frank, I'm betting he returns next year and he will wreak amazing havoc. Kids electric. He's gliding along slow and smooth and suddenly he explodes. Love his fire. Amile has arrived. He's the man. He's solid as stone and the voice of the team. He gives 100% every second, so happy for him after the pain of riding that bench last season had to eat his soul. I think Bolden has the longest race to run yet. He still needs some coaching down low. Bringing the ball down to often and the footwork still a bit rusty. I love JAVIN ! It kinda sucks we are so loaded this season but that's ok cause he'll be back. He has greatness we all get to see before he's gone. I'm hoping somebody like DJ makes up a vid of just an all dunks compilation from this game, that would be badass! This game was fun to watch. I'm really excited to see our growth, I think it's only begun. GO DUKE !

Homer.

 

[dukehokie]

The team certainly doesn't lack for athleticism, and if they keep up a consistent effort and communicate consistently we'll see plenty of games like tonight.

Where's Doug Gottlieb when you need him?

 

[twdukefan]

Where's Doug Gottlieb when you need him?

I'm fine with him keeping his trap shut: allows other people to figure out if he's an idiot as opposed to knowing it for a fact once he starts talking

 

[timritterus]

Nitpicking but Ques was horrible. I'm not saying he is, but imo he will be here next year. maybe it's not practicing I don't know.anybody else know what's wrong with him?These next 2 games he really needs some PT to be ready by acc play.Imo K really needs to leave him in longer to get him in some type of rhythm.I really don't understand his PT right now.

I personally think he's not in shape and he's getting winded quickly. I know K said that in his first game back, but I don't think we've practiced much since then. He seems pretty slow right now, and mobility would definitely benefit his game. Lastly, he seems like he's forcing it a little bit at times (not always). Like he needs to prove he can play and score. I think when he gets more comfortable he'll let the game come to him more and will look better. If not, I agree he may end up back next year.

 

[dukehokie]

I personally think he's not in shape and he's getting winded quickly. I know K said that in his first game back, but I don't think we've practiced much since then. He seems pretty slow right now, and mobility would definitely benefit his game. Lastly, he seems like he's forcing it a little bit at times (not always). Like he needs to prove he can play and score. I think when he gets more comfortable he'll let the game come to him more and will look better. If not, I agree he may end up back next year.

And he came in with work to do conditioning wise. I don't want to bash him too much because he worked so hard in the summer to improve his conditioning. So to have that set back sucks. And no he hasn't practiced but once since his return.

 

[dukehokie]

Frank scares the entire state of Nevada. Check the girl on the right hahahahah! Utah > Nevada

 

[skysdad]

Yes I know UNLV is not what they used to be but today Duke beat a team they way they should beat them. This to me is Duke's best game of the year and today they would have beat any team they played maybe not by 49 points but no one would have beaten them today. With the exception of a lull near the end of the 1st. it was full throttle. No mercy. They played to score until the end. I believe that Jayson could score 20 points in a row if he got hot. He moves well doesn't he. And Grayson was just magnificent today. We're gonna be hard to stop. OFC

 

[Showenuff]

Hokie that pic is friggin hilarious, lol !

 

[timritterus]

I believe that Jayson could score 20 points in a row if he got hot. He moves well doesn't he.

That shake and bake finger roll move was pretty awesome.

 

[DevilDJ]

Frank scares the entire state of Nevada. Check the girl on the right hahahahah! Utah > Nevada

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[Guy Smiley]

And he came in with work to do conditioning wise. I don't want to bash him too much because he worked so hard in the summer to improve his conditioning. So to have that set back sucks. And no he hasn't practiced but once since his return.

That still doesn't explain why he was not sprinting on the first few possessions.

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[Showenuff]

I wonder if they enjoyed Vanilla Whip tonight over at the nut house?

 

[dukehokie]

That still doesn't explain why he was not sprinting on the first few possessions.

I hear you Z, I just don't know that I'm totally going to agree with you that Ques is playing lazy. You do have history on your side as that was a knock on him early on in high school.

Besides, if you look at every play, I guarantee not every player is sprinting and exerting 100% effort running down court. That wouldn't be efficient in keeping yourself in the game. Jayson didn't dive for a loose ball tonight. What does that say about him?

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[DevilDJ]

 

[QC Dukie]

I wonder if they enjoyed Vanilla Whip tonight over at the nut house?

They now know what's coming in Feb. Theyre probably pissing their pants right now.

OFC

 

[Quavarius]

Let's put into context this UNLV was a bad team. If we're doing this to UNC, UVA, Louisville, FSU, Norte Dame, then look out.

 

[dukehokie]

Let's put into context this UNLV was a bad team. If we're doing this to UNC, UVA, Louisville, FSU, Norte Dame, then look out.

I mentioned this sentiment in the original post, but my point with that was the discipline this team showed on both sides of the court, which lead to a blowout win. I don't care who you play, beating a D1 team by 45 is impressive anyway you slice it. And the beauty of it was that there was dominance throughout.

So no, Duke won't have twelve put back dunks and behind the back scoops against Kansas next time they play. They will however have length, rebounding, agility, slashers and shooters all ready to go at different phases of the game. That part is clear to me. Doesn't mean Duke can't lose, especially in the one-game setting, but as good as college basketball is this season, I can't think of many teams that can go as deep as 8 and that 8th man may very well be drafted.

 

[topps coach]

I wonder if they enjoyed Vanilla Whip tonight over at the nut house?

They should be scared very very scared

 

[Quavarius]

I mentioned this sentiment in the original post, but my point with that was the discipline this team showed on both sides of the court, which lead to a blowout win. I don't care who you play, beating a D1 team by 45 is impressive anyway you slice it. And the beauty of it was that there was dominance throughout.

So no, Duke won't have twelve put back dunks and behind the back scoops against Kansas next time they play. They will however have length, rebounding, agility, slashers and shooters all ready to go at different phases of the game. That part is clear to me. Doesn't mean Duke can't lose, especially in the one-game setting, but as good as college basketball is this season, I can't think of many teams that can go as deep as 8 and that 8th man may very well be drafted.

Agreed. Its just that I'm not impressed with a blowout win against a team like UNLV.

 

[df64]

Yes it was a bad UNLV team. That said, this team is going to demoralize some pretty good teams.

 

[Showenuff]

You mentioned Notre Dame. We better play an amazing game that night. Brey wants that win worse than any other this season, count on it.

 

[Showenuff]

I think the only team I want to beat worse than UNcheat this season is ND.

 

[Quavarius]

Yes it was a bad UNLV team. That said, this team is going to demoralize some pretty good teams.

Which is what I'm waiting to see

 

[Quavarius]

You mentioned Notre Dame. We better play an amazing game that night. Brey wants that win worse than any other this season, count on it.

And hopefully K does too.

It's crazy but in those recent matchups with Notre Dame (except 2015 ACC Tournament) we've held a healthy lead in the game against the Irish but couldn't close it in the end. I think their experience and mental toughness had a lot to do with it. This year, we have experience AND talent. It's still going to be tough to win in South Bend, tho.