Elmore embarrasses himself 4 times per broadcast. The guy has zero fans. He must have some serious dirt on a TV exec.
***DUKE VS WAKE FOREST OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***
- Thread starter krzyzewskiville
- Start date
So the next time we get Jay Bilas remember Len Elmore. By the way I love Jay Bilas. Does what he was hired to do and the best in the business just like Coach K. No doubt Coach K has rubbed off on him in his integrity and values by being totally honest and you can bet your bottom dollar Jay Bilas is Duke throughout his whole body and soul.n OFC
I didn't get to see the game live and I'm only halfway through it eight now.
I like that we have so many guys that can bring the ball up the court. That seems like an important thing with the shorter shot clock. At one point in the 1st half we had a lineup of Plumlee, Ingram, Allen, Kennard, and Thornton. I think everyone but Plumlee brought the ball up at least once. Matt did several times too. Great to see when we want to push it.
Ingram is becoming a superstar. I'm even impressed with his defense and rebounding. He's playing great.
Thornton has had a solid game. Sort of quiet, but a nice game.
I'm pulling for Jeter to really put it together. He's trying so hard and I want to see it happen for him soon.
Time for the second half.
I like that we have so many guys that can bring the ball up the court. That seems like an important thing with the shorter shot clock. At one point in the 1st half we had a lineup of Plumlee, Ingram, Allen, Kennard, and Thornton. I think everyone but Plumlee brought the ball up at least once. Matt did several times too. Great to see when we want to push it.
Ingram is becoming a superstar. I'm even impressed with his defense and rebounding. He's playing great.
Thornton has had a solid game. Sort of quiet, but a nice game.
I'm pulling for Jeter to really put it together. He's trying so hard and I want to see it happen for him soon.
Time for the second half.
Elmore was quite complimentary tonight..... Still can't stand him
Great win for us. Really excited and proud. But I was wondering about one thing for most of the game... Can Thomas shoot a mid-range jumper? Plum guarded him high and narrow. Thomas picked one side and went by and to the basket almost every time. Why didn't Plum try guarding him low and wide and dare him to shoot a few mid range jumper to see what happens? May not have worked, but certainly worth a try. Our offense firepower prevailed in the end anyhow. Three big guns. Thorton and Matt can score too. With Plum also throwing down punches -- not too many teams can hold up against that onslaught.
The whistles are just so tough at times.
Loved what I saw from Kennard. A lot of important minutes. Big shots and rebounds. First I saw that emotion from him. I want to see more.
Plumlee was great in the second half.
I like the 1-3-1 much better than the 2-3.
Really thought Thornton was steady out there. I thought his defense was very good. A very unsung hero in the game.
I didn't think Elmore was quite as awful as usual. Very complimentary of us. So slightly less awful.
Loved what I saw from Kennard. A lot of important minutes. Big shots and rebounds. First I saw that emotion from him. I want to see more.
Plumlee was great in the second half.
I like the 1-3-1 much better than the 2-3.
Really thought Thornton was steady out there. I thought his defense was very good. A very unsung hero in the game.
I didn't think Elmore was quite as awful as usual. Very complimentary of us. So slightly less awful.
Me either Show, I gave us little chance because we are so thin. But those 7 players are pretty good ball players. Its very nice to be wrong and I think this game puts us right in the ACC mix at the top. I am so friggin proud and elated by this team.
I don't know what to think of this game.
The first half was basketball, the second half was officials taking over. I'm not sure you can read much into anything that happened with the second half.
Being at the game, you can really see the offensive spacing and movement is on point right now. On the flip side, a ton of work is needed on defense. I am extremely happy at how strong Marshall was with the ball but his defense is so bad right now. I mean come on, we gave up 47 to wake in the first half. Marshall coupled with Kennard being selfish on Defense a few times (coaches were flipping on him) and Thornton/Marshall either communicating poorly or not having a good plan on the high screen, Duke needs to improve their D. I don't believe the second half was an indication because the officials complete threw off the flow of the game.
My comments are intended to be towards what I think needs to improve for a Title contending team. This duke team has the offense, just needs to improve on the D.
Also, this wasn't a true road game. Wake Forest isn't in session yet so there was no student section. It felt like the arena was 50% duke. And I had the Dumb @$$!!! Wake Forest fan infront of my family yelling at Grayson Allen calling him Ted Cruz. I politely was whispering to him "Still Owning You" After every shot and FT grayson made.
The first half was basketball, the second half was officials taking over. I'm not sure you can read much into anything that happened with the second half.
Being at the game, you can really see the offensive spacing and movement is on point right now. On the flip side, a ton of work is needed on defense. I am extremely happy at how strong Marshall was with the ball but his defense is so bad right now. I mean come on, we gave up 47 to wake in the first half. Marshall coupled with Kennard being selfish on Defense a few times (coaches were flipping on him) and Thornton/Marshall either communicating poorly or not having a good plan on the high screen, Duke needs to improve their D. I don't believe the second half was an indication because the officials complete threw off the flow of the game.
My comments are intended to be towards what I think needs to improve for a Title contending team. This duke team has the offense, just needs to improve on the D.
Also, this wasn't a true road game. Wake Forest isn't in session yet so there was no student section. It felt like the arena was 50% duke. And I had the Dumb @$$!!! Wake Forest fan infront of my family yelling at Grayson Allen calling him Ted Cruz. I politely was whispering to him "Still Owning You" After every shot and FT grayson made.
This team can flat out score. It really reminds me of the high scoring 2004 squad. So many people can put the ball in the basket. The D leaves a lot to be desired at times, but they are still top 30 in efficiency.
But unlike some of our teams in the past, if the D fails, I feel good that the O can pull it through until an adjustment is made.
But unlike some of our teams in the past, if the D fails, I feel good that the O can pull it through until an adjustment is made.
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Interesting comment about the offense or Shooting I should say.
I sat second row for warm ups and was really watching form and shooting for almost 30 minutes of Thornton, Jones, Allen, Kennard, and Ingram. All but thornton lived at the 3 point line. Thornton took a ton of every kind of shot. Allen and Ingram were the only ones that ever got hot making a serious run of 3's in a row. I texted my buddy stating this and how it shows in the game. I don't know if in the full 30 minutes if I ever saw Kennard or Jones make more than maybe 2 or max 3 in a row from 3. It's truly shocking for Kennard. He makes it look really smooth but has absolutely no legs and no arch in his shot which is difficult to make from 3 consistently. In warm ups his 3 ball was all over the place where as with Ingram and Allen everyone looked like it could go in. I remember watching JJ shoot in warm ups and he would constantly make 10, 15, 20 3's in a row at times from all over, it was truly impressive and you knew you were watching an incredible shooter. Kennard is a baller and has some serious handle and shocking good hops when he's on the move, but he has a long way to go with the 3 point shot. Hope he finds his legs and shot soon as that could help make this offense lethal. He actually didn't take a few pretty open 3's, wonder if his confidence is down?
I sat second row for warm ups and was really watching form and shooting for almost 30 minutes of Thornton, Jones, Allen, Kennard, and Ingram. All but thornton lived at the 3 point line. Thornton took a ton of every kind of shot. Allen and Ingram were the only ones that ever got hot making a serious run of 3's in a row. I texted my buddy stating this and how it shows in the game. I don't know if in the full 30 minutes if I ever saw Kennard or Jones make more than maybe 2 or max 3 in a row from 3. It's truly shocking for Kennard. He makes it look really smooth but has absolutely no legs and no arch in his shot which is difficult to make from 3 consistently. In warm ups his 3 ball was all over the place where as with Ingram and Allen everyone looked like it could go in. I remember watching JJ shoot in warm ups and he would constantly make 10, 15, 20 3's in a row at times from all over, it was truly impressive and you knew you were watching an incredible shooter. Kennard is a baller and has some serious handle and shocking good hops when he's on the move, but he has a long way to go with the 3 point shot. Hope he finds his legs and shot soon as that could help make this offense lethal. He actually didn't take a few pretty open 3's, wonder if his confidence is down?
Duhon vs. Redick pre game shootouts were insane. Once Duhon made like 12 in a row starting at the 3 point line and taking a few steps back each time. His last one was from behind half court, then he went into the locker room like no big deal. Redick too would hit 90% in pregame and his misses were rim outs.
Kennards shot reminds me of Taylor King's. Good thing that's the only comparable aspect.
Skys I know what you are trying to say, but I still cannot bring myself to be enamored with style of Bilas...Don't get me wrong I think he was an overachiever on the court!!
However he still comes across as condescending to myself and numerous other Duke fans...A number of us watched the FINAL FOUR together last year. Almost to a person. we agreed the grace and style of Grant Hill's commentary is much more like an analyst can appeal to a viewer by staying out of the way.....
However he still comes across as condescending to myself and numerous other Duke fans...A number of us watched the FINAL FOUR together last year. Almost to a person. we agreed the grace and style of Grant Hill's commentary is much more like an analyst can appeal to a viewer by staying out of the way.....
As for last nite's game I am still elated. I picked us 84-75 yesterday and said MP3 would be x-factor!!
evils4Life
evils4LifeA lot of credit has to be given to Grayson for driving and dishing the ball off to Marshall like he did. Luke did it once as well. I want to see more of that... catches the defenders off guard.
He did eat Plumlee alive? Just so happened he made a few dumb mistakes and got himself in foul trouble and out most of the second half. Remember Wake scored 47 in the first half with Thomas on the court. Plumlee was playing matador D on him. Plumlee definitely finished stronger than normal but lets not act like he was getting offensive rebounds or creating his opportunities, they came from our guards having awesome drive and dishes to him. Now you still have to finish, and he did a darn good job of that.
But Thomas was eating Plumlee alive.
Kennard seems to choke the ball (i.e. not enough space between the ball and the bottom of his palm). So it is a bit of push-the-ball-with-the-whole-hand motion. His long balls seem flat and without enough rotation. Mid range is OK with this. But not going to cut it from distance. He needs to distribute weight of the ball up a bit further on to the finger tip pads.
Was he a good shooter from distance in HS? He is deceptively good attacking the basket with a good mid-range game and an outstanding feel/IQ on the offense end. Just needs to play better D and shoot the long ones better.
Yes, but I wonder about the "matador" defense. What I wonder is how much of that is/was planned for Plumlee in this game. We are thinner than Brandon Ingram's legs in our front court and Coach K knows that. He needs Plumlee in the post for as much as possible and if we do not need Plumlee to be more aggressive on D (keeping a lead as we did the entire game) then why risk getting him benched. Let Thomas have his that call for Direct Confrontation so Plumlee stays on the floor.
Plumlee affected a fair amount of plays on the defensive end with his size and presence. Thomas was getting his, but so what. They did not get nor ever have the lead. I am sure if push came to shove we would have seen some adjustments making Plumlee more aggressive.
I say this as an educated guess as it is consistent with coaching decisions Coach K has discussed in the past.
I truly think that Plumlee's matador defense against Thomas was a K directive. And a damn smart one if that was the case.
See it grinds my gear that people including K keep saying we're thin on the front line. We have 3 healthy 7 footers. Just so happens 2 are frosh. We are not thin, we just don't have quality depth. Huge difference. K makes it sound like he has no other options. That's not true.
K made a statement that I think was somewhat directed at Marshall, allen, jones, and the entire team that we need to play more smart on D. That doesn't mean not aggressive, it just means not picking up dumb fouls. So I'm sure there was a plan to keep marshall out of foul trouble but judging by the benches reaction to many marshall defense plays, I think they were expecting a little more effort out of him.
Of all things, that bugs you? That K says "no depth" as opposed to "no quality depth"? Did the "8 is enough" mantra bug you last year because we had walk-ons available beyond that?
Have you ever noticed that most of the people that always seem to complain are the people that rarely post on the board?
Ditto.
I know who we have on our team. They may be coming along but not ready for prime time.
It sounds like nit-picking to me, Get Nasty. Jeter and Vrank are there, but right now they're not quality depth. Chase has flashes and you can see he's going to be a decent player down the line, but right now the games move too fast for him....not to mention he's still not strong enough with the ball. That will come.
It's hard to say on Vrank....we haven't seen him. But the coaches have. They would know better than I do, or you.
And what do you mean by options? Just because someone is 7'0" doesn't make him a viable option.
Lastly, I think Marshall, of all our players, has been most hindered by the Amile injury.
It's hard to say on Vrank....we haven't seen him. But the coaches have. They would know better than I do, or you.
And what do you mean by options? Just because someone is 7'0" doesn't make him a viable option.
Lastly, I think Marshall, of all our players, has been most hindered by the Amile injury.
That was big. Personally, I'd say it happened at halftime. Marshall had scored some close buckets off passes in the first half -- that and offensive rebounds have pretty much accounted for every field goal he has on the season -- but he was aggressive in driving to the hoop with the ball early in the second. That's where Thomas picked up his 3rd foul, and then the tech for his 4th right after.
It was also pretty key that the last TV timeout happened so late and Manning couldn't get Thomas back in the game until then. I don't remember when he last went to the bench, but according to the box score, we were up 8 w/ just over 4 left. We got to 2:28 before the T.O., and were up by 10 w/ the ball and like, 4 seconds on the shot clock. Luke scored quickly, then after a stop, we used the whole shot clock before scoring again and it was 14 points w/ 1:41 to go. They never even bothered extending the game by putting us on the line.
What, not Amile?
That's interesting. Do you mean like Amile spreads opposing defenses more, opening up opportunities Marshall sees less of right now?
Yes, but Manning was sitting on three timeouts. That was purely on him. Thomas should have been in at about 4 1/2 minutes.
Nope because that was a theme to help motivate after Rasheed got kicked off the team. "We have no depth" I don't think is a theme or mantra to motivate players this year, it sounds like an excuse for poor big recruiting and development.
I agree with everything you said. Jeter and Vrank aren't ready most likely for more minutes.
My point is you are allotted 13 scholarships, you have 3 healthy 7 footers on scholarship currently. K is making this no depth sound like a raw deal or he was dealt a 2 and a 7 off suit but his staff is recruiting and developing bigs and has not done a good job of it therefor the lack of post depth.
Marshall's roll should be what it was last year, nothing more. But because of poor recruiting and development at the position he can't come off the court. It's not a depth issue, it's a coaching issue.