***DUKE VS. VIRGINIA TECH POST GAME THREAD***

[Guy Smiley]

Yes, the refs have been laughable, but the fact is that Tech outplayed us in every part of the game today. However, this usually lights a fire under Duke teams of the past. We usually come back the next game and fight our asses off.

The question is, will this team?

I think so. Also, I think we are starting to just see glimpses here and there of what Giles will be able to do as he continues to get back to being his real self. If he does, then he and Amile will make a nice front court to go with Luke, Grayson, and Jayson.

It's only one game!

 

[pisgah101]

No need to mention the refs we got. Beat and beat bad

 

[Guy Smiley]

No need to mention the refs we got. Beat and beat bad

Umm, did you not read the rest of the first sentence?

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

This one game won't define Duke. Grayson will be back, Giles is just starting to get his feet wet, and all our guys still haven't played very much with one another at this point. That will change, and Duke will get their mojo back.

OFC

 

[NYBlueDevil]

That was a good old fashion woodshed beating. Better start figuring some things out and quick....

 

[bleediteveryday30]

I have faith in the coaching staff and our players. This team will be scary good come March. And then all the fans who are bashing this team can eat some crow. These kinds of games happen. Better it happens on 12/31/2016 than in March 2017.

 

[Dukesince90]

I liked what I saw from Giles today. We have to remember it's been a long time since he's played. He rebounded well and he just needs to shake off the rust. I still feel good about this team, once the other players get use to playing with Giles and Tatum we are going to be pretty darn good. I use to think Duke peaked early and it hurt them come tournament time, I don't have to worry about that this year. As JC Coles (spelling) use to post, "everything's going to be ok."

Oh yeah, we still have the G.O.A.T , contrary to what many said in the game thread. Remember, it's not a sprint, it's a journey. We will get there.

AIOFC

 

[Lavar5150]

Refs? Team played no defense and outside of Luke and Jayson no one is a threat to score. Matt may be a good defender although it is only slightly better than the rest who play zero defense. Otherwise he is a liability and is an average athlete.

Play bolden and Giles and hopefully the Minutes pay off when Grayson returns

 

[TRU CANE]

I think Giles is coming along nicely. Excited to see him by mid February. Will be awesome. He's getting more and more comfortable.

I don't know what to make of Matt Jones. I think I will just not say anything

 

[chov1125]

I have faith in the coaching staff and our players. This team will be scary good come March. And then all the fans who are bashing this team can eat some crow. These kinds of games happen. Better it happens on 12/31/2016 than in March 2017.

We could be scary good come March for sure. But possibly to our detriment too many people have been telling us how good we are for far too long. Right now we are not a very good team. This is not going to come easy. Our guys need to work their butts off starting right now or we won't even sniff our potential this year.

 

[dukehokie]

Not much positive to say here. This is a team without much direction right now. It looked like a team full of guys staring at an empty draft board. There's gotta be some buy in that happens for this team to move forward positively.

Maybe this becomes this team's North Star and they find a way to navigate from here. We'll see.

I know it will be tough, and criticism is obviously warranted, just try to be cool and keep cool heads all around please. We're all still on the same team.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

We could be scary good come March for sure. But possibly to our detriment too many people have been telling us how good we are for far too long. Right now we are not a very good team. This is not going to come easy. Our guys need to work their butts off starting right now or we won't even sniff our potential this year.

I won't disagree with that. I think we played better offense in the second half. The team just looked lost on defense most of the time. I chalk that up to the lack of cohesion we are seeing because of trying to build chemistry in December/January instead of October/November. I think if we are seeing the same problems Mid-Feb then we have something to worry about. Right now this team is just trying to find its identity.

 

[chov1125]

To be honest I really miss Quinn cook. His leadership and toughness was a catalyst for our teams growth throughout the year. He set the tone from the top down and our guys rallied around that. Right now we look confused, slow and timid on defense. the game has always come easy to these kids. This is true adversity for sure. This is going to reveal character going forward whether good or bad

 

[dukehokie]

A big character reveal is coming and it can't happen at home either. They need a dominating road win to believe in what it is K is trying to teach.

 

[denverexpat]

Recruiting one and dones is a tightrope - Calipari has shown it can be good and bad - we are getting to walk in those shoes now. I much prefer players who buy into the Duke tradition, to what Coach K teaches and who grow with the program through multiple seasons on the squad. I hope this game is an aberration and i am rushing to judgement - however, the last 3 games havent really instilled a lot of confidence that this team can come together and play together for the greater good....vs their draft position. Its the NCAA not the AAU. If you dont play together you'll get your a$$ handed to you. Next game

 

[dukehokie]

OAD's can buy in. This group just hasn't yet and quite frankly they haven't seen true success with the full group. Hard to buy in when you don't feel successful. Everyone but Luke has dropped on draft boards and let's be honest, that plays a factor in how kids react.

I do agree with you though. It is a tight rope anymore in college ball.

 

[sheyduke]

It is what it is. Either they figure it out or it will be the same type of year when KI was in college

 

[pinecreek]

Took em awhile to gel in Hoosiers movie and would not have happened without Chitwood joining the team. He had a short bench too.

 

[timo0402]

Recruiting one and dones is a tightrope - Calipari has shown it can be good and bad - we are getting to walk in those shoes now. I much prefer players who buy into the Duke tradition, to what Coach K teaches and who grow with the program through multiple seasons on the squad. I hope this game is an aberration and i am rushing to judgement - however, the last 3 games havent really instilled a lot of confidence that this team can come together and play together for the greater good....vs their draft position. Its the NCAA not the AAU. If you dont play together you'll get your a$$ handed to you. Next game

You kind of contradict yourself here though. They have only played six games with these freshmen that are worried about their draft position. And that is just Tatum who has played that- Bolden and Giles have been brought along slower. I agree on your premise, and there is some merit there but it is so early to make that call. Injuries really derailed our team. It will take time and this can be a tremendous learning moment.

 

[HuffyJB]

The reality is that Duke's lineup has been in constant change since before the season even began. It started with the cavelcade of injuries, and then has been exacerbated by Allen's suspension. They have literally never had the chance to establish roles or a semblance of a consistent rotation, and it is showing big time on the floor. The big concern there is that it is now January, and ACC play - playing good teams and going on the road in a league that might get 11 bids is not the ideal time to work things out and figure out who you are. UNC illustrated that today, losing by almost as much as Duke against a team that won't sniff the NCAA Tournament, in an empty gym.

Then again, the "trial by fire" circumstances might be just what the doctor ordered. That is the hope amyway. The eat or get eaten situation might bring out the best in the group. But they have a ways to go, that's for sure.

 

[denverexpat]

You kind of contradict yourself here though. They have only played six games with these freshmen that are worried about their draft position. And that is just Tatum who has played that- Bolden and Giles have been brought along slower. I agree on your premise, and there is some merit there but it is so early to make that call. Injuries really derailed our team. It will take time and this can be a tremendous learning moment.

Agreed - I really hope they can fulfill the expectations that come with such a vaunted recruiting class...and that i am way off base. High expectations are tough to meet unless the whole team buys in, it just takes one dissenting voice to spoil chemistry- thats the hardest part for the coaches.

 

[LONMUNU]

I understand the injuries have derailed any kind of cohesion but today seemed so much about effort and passion. It seemed like they had neither. There appears to be no fire and no leadership. So many times they got beat on non existent transition defense. There was little ball movement and there was a lot of standing around watching other players. I swear Luke and Grayson are the only ones who know how to move without the ball. Today was super disappointing and I hope they can get it together.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

Recruiting one and dones is a tightrope - Calipari has shown it can be good and bad - we are getting to walk in those shoes now. I much prefer players who buy into the Duke tradition, to what Coach K teaches and who grow with the program through multiple seasons on the squad. I hope this game is an aberration and i am rushing to judgement - however, the last 3 games havent really instilled a lot of confidence that this team can come together and play together for the greater good....vs their draft position. Its the NCAA not the AAU. If you dont play together you'll get your a$$ handed to you. Next game

Well that's true for everybody, not just OAD's. I used to not like the idea of getting multiple OAD's but then I realized all the criticisms of building with OAD's, it still comes down to the same stuff no matter what. Even with a team off upperclassmen the group still has to buy in, play hard and together, have the talent, have physical and mental toughness, have good chemistry, etc. It doesn't just happen just because the guys are all upperclassmen. Some guys can lose their way and start worrying about their playing time or draft position even if they are seniors. Some guys may be seniors but just not very good leaders.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

I just saw where Coach K said in the press conference that Allen has been stripped of his captaincy.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Who is this teams leader????

 

[hart2chesson]

Totally agree w/K in post game: "We havent played well last 3 games," and "we havent shared the ball well."

OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

I understand the injuries have derailed any kind of cohesion but today seemed so much about effort and passion. It seemed like they had neither. There appears to be no fire and no leadership. So many times they got beat on non existent transition defense. There was little ball movement and there was a lot of standing around watching other players. I swear Luke and Grayson are the only ones who know how to move without the ball. Today was super disappointing and I hope they can get it together.

Total breakdown from the get-go. I was shocked we didnt make a run even to get the 2nd half deficit under 10. Coaching staff had to take some responsibility today for not having us better prepared given the 10 day break....

OFC

 

[Lukasz0brzut]

I fully expect Duke to be in thick of things come March and wouldn't be surprised to see them win it all... however, even with Allen, it's been clear from an outsiders perspective that they could use more practice time all together, chemistry has been off even against lesser opponents- the question is, will there be enough time left to get it all figured out. The talent is definitely there- and that's something a lot of teams can't say.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

It just goes to show just how tough it is to get it all together. There is concern, but it's FAR from meltdown time.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

Duke isn't recruiting different players, exact same kids K has been getting basically his entire career. Same kids, different rules. Don't blame this on the OAD era.

 

[sheyduke]

Ok so all in all let's follow:

Top three freshman all get injured and Allen and Jackson playing with injury.
Luke comes out of nowhere scoring
Tatum returns
Allen goes out with suspension stripped of his captain spot
Tatum accused of taking to many shots
Luke says some haven't bought into winning as a whole
Duke plays three sub par games and Va tech plays great.
I was just wondering when has the team played as a completed team and roles ever been able to be established for any of them.

 

[youngman42]

Many considerations ...

1. Welcome to ACC conference basketball. If you are a top 5 team and esp. if you are Duke you are likely to get the home team's best game of the year.

2. There's no doubt the team is in disarray for many reasons. Injuries have put the freshmen in a funk. Grayson's situation has hurt the team in multiple ways (not being on court; not setting an example; the mental/emotional state of the team is not in a good place).

3. For some reason, the team, as K said in the presser, has not played well the past three games. They looked fantastic at UNLV. Not sure what happened.

4. Someone asked, "who is the leader?" - First, it's always K. But, there are still leaders. For players I would say it's Jefferson and Kennard.

5. The freshmen: None of them are making the immediate adjustment to college that the trio in 2015 made (Okafor, Winslow, & Jones showed immediate awareness & confidence). Obviously injuries are a massive part of this. But, all of them are going to have to get comfortable fast. Giles and Tatum are the most talented and if they can come alive, it will instill more confidence in the other two.

6. We have no inside offensive threat. Even with Grayson on the court, unless Giles comes on offensively (or less likely Bolden), Duke is has no way to pressure the opponent in the offensive block. That makes it that much more difficult on the other players. Of course, we have no idea where Giles is with his game. It's easy to come back from injury and dominate at high school with that talent and size. Not so easy at the college level. I really think K is going to have to figure out how to make Giles a bigger offensive presence if he's going to make an impact on the team and if the team has any shot at a final four.

This is going to be an extra tough, long season as there are a ton of quality teams and mature teams.

 

[Lavar5150]

Sorry but Matt Jones needs to come off bench. The few drive and kicks went to jones who couldn't hit anything. Need to put Tatum and Luke on the wings, Jackson at point and Giles and Jefferson at the horns/ high post positions. Jackson to bench when Grayson returns

 

[DukeDenver]

Jack White and Bolden were lost on D. I wish we'd play Bolden for an 8 minute stretch just once to see if it gets him going. Harry looked better. Giles looks great except for the ball not going in and he rarely uses his offensive moves to get others open.

 

[DukeDenver]

Sorry but Matt Jones needs to come off bench. The few drive and kicks went to jones who couldn't hit anything. Need to put Tatum and Luke on the wings, Jackson at point and Giles and Jefferson at the horns/ high post positions. Jackson to bench when Grayson returns

It sucks when he's not hitting 3s but the guy performs well in other phases. Frank hasn't shown anything to suggest he's a better option.

 

[Lavar5150]

It sucks when he's not hitting 3s but the guy performs well in other phases. Frank hasn't shown anything to suggest he's a better option.

Jackson gets to lane to draw defense which is what Allen does and was missing big time today

 

[skysdad]

I had to work at the lake today and missed the game but I have seen some clips, seen the stats and read some post. I have one question. What do Kansas, Elon and Va. Tech have in common? Black uni's. If we are going to lose , play bad enough to lose and have bad things happen I want to do it in Duke Blue. Next game. OFC

 

[DukeDenver]

I had to work at the lake today and missed the game but I have seen some clips, seen the stats and read some post. I have one question. What do Kansas, Elon and Va. Tech have in common? Black uni's. If we are going to lose , play bad enough to lose and have bad things happen I want to do it in Duke Blue. Next game. OFC

I missed the game today too, kind of glad.

 

[Showenuff]

Youngman42 brought up a great point. Grayson. At the beginning of the year, look at what the freshman said, they look up to Grayson, he's a leader, sets the example. Yea, that's not working out to well right now. We've got a lot going on. Along with boatloads of injuries.

 

[BNM79]

Amille has shown to be very crafty in the post this year. Need to get him more touches down there.

Many considerations ...

1. Welcome to ACC conference basketball. If you are a top 5 team and esp. if you are Duke you are likely to get the home team's best game of the year.

2. There's no doubt the team is in disarray for many reasons. Injuries have put the freshmen in a funk. Grayson's situation has hurt the team in multiple ways (not being on court; not setting an example; the mental/emotional state of the team is not in a good place).

3. For some reason, the team, as K said in the presser, has not played well the past three games. They looked fantastic at UNLV. Not sure what happened.

4. Someone asked, "who is the leader?" - First, it's always K. But, there are still leaders. For players I would say it's Jefferson and Kennard.

5. The freshmen: None of them are making the immediate adjustment to college that the trio in 2015 made (Okafor, Winslow, & Jones showed immediate awareness & confidence). Obviously injuries are a massive part of this. But, all of them are going to have to get comfortable fast. Giles and Tatum are the most talented and if they can come alive, it will instill more confidence in the other two.

6. We have no inside offensive threat. Even with Grayson on the court, unless Giles comes on offensively (or less likely Bolden), Duke is has no way to pressure the opponent in the offensive block. That makes it that much more difficult on the other players. Of course, we have no idea where Giles is with his game. It's easy to come back from injury and dominate at high school with that talent and size. Not so easy at the college level. I really think K is going to have to figure out how to make Giles a bigger offensive presence if he's going to make an impact on the team and if the team has any shot at a final four.

This is going to be an extra tough, long season as there are a ton of quality teams and mature teams.