I think many are underestimating the depth of the ACC and how difficult it is to get up equally for each game. We have been going through a gauntlet and just beat a fringe top 10 team on the road. To think we are going to be at our best 3 days later playing a far less sexy team is unrealistic IMO. It was human nature last weekend it was human nature this weekend. I'm proud we came away with another W. We are making winning plays down the stretch of these games
***DUKE VS WAKE FOREST OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***
- Thread starter krzyzewskiville
- Start date
I have no issues with their offense. It's their defense. I understand it's human nature, but they should be at a point in the season where they are playing more consistently on the defensive end. That's just an effort thing. I'm not denying the fact that the ACC is the deepest and toughest conference in the country this year. Just looking for a better effort at this point in the season. There was literally no defense played in the game today....none
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Gonzaga has a pro polar bear wrestler at center, we need to rotate more guys, as he kills them with his burly lumber jack hands!
Just finished watching the game, and remember hearing Dan Bonner after Allen hit his last shot at the 5:30 mark which put him at 3-8 and 11 points say he hasn't looked for his shot too much. I agree. 6 people played in 2nd half for Duke. I can't help but wonder why we didn't do something different defensively at all. Wake can score but should Duke have given up 94? I'm glad Duke won but 94 in Cameron?
I'm sure Louisville played with no effort when they beat Virginia tech by 4. I'm sure fsu played with no effort as they are getting whooped by Pitt, albeit on road. You say you know that the ACC is deep and tough but I don't think you truly appreciate how deep and tough it is. There are no nights off. i agree with you I would love to see max effort every game. But I also realize how tough that is. We get everyone's best shot every time we step on the floor. I myself am happy we pulled it out and I expect fresh legs by Wednesday.
You're joking but with the interior defense we have we wouldn't beat Gonzaga unless we are just HOT from 3. Poor Amile would be so over-matched down there. Gonzaga can actually play. This isn't your normal Gonzaga. If Bolden and Giles get comfortable we can beat anyone though
No way Amile should've played all 20 second half minutes. Starting to think Coach K doesn't know how to handle a lot of talent. This game clearly was a shootout. Amile couldn't do anything with Collins today. Neither team was stopping each other so he might as well played the youngsters. Playing 6 isn't going to fly in the tournament on those turnarounds against increasingly better competition
Enough with the Gonzags talk, go outside and play.
Just kidding, I still don't think they can guard Duke.
At Cameron maybe. At Gonzaga absolutely not. On neutral I would favor Gonzaga by 5. They're actually really good. It's about matchups. Tatum or Amile WILL get into foul trouble. Will Coach K then go to a 4-guard lineup? Probably so, which would be dumb. We won't win the title unless Bolden or Giles make a leap. They're going to have to play good when Amile goes out. I dont know why K is so allergic to a traditional big lineup. Justice Winslow made him go straight small ball I guess
If they played on the moon, they would tie. 0-0 and everyone would float away.
True. But can Duke guard them? Can we stay out of foul trouble? They're rotating bigs and guards continuously and it's not much drop-off. I'm just being realistic
Why would Duke win? Let's hear your expertise on how you think things would go. People can say anything but fill us in on HOW Duke would win.
They would score more points over the course of 40 minutes.
Didn't say I wasn't happy about the win. Just making objective observations about the game. If the ultimate goal is to cut down the nets in April, they won't do it playing that kind of defense.
Hopefully there's no more losses. Coach K needs to make it do what it do. I put money on this team the day Giles and Tatum were locked in
Dang people here are never happy. We sucked and now have won 7 in a row against different styled, very good teams, three of those were top 25 teams and two of them on the road. This team ground it out against virginia then put up helacious numbers against wake. They are still gelling. The defense will come. And this isn't the 99 team, so we need to stop expecting 40 point blowouts.
No kidding, especially after WF went for 35 and 19 in 40 minutes between their 5's....
Glad they pulled this one out. Still puzzled by the benching of Giles and Bolden in the 2nd half, again. The 6-man rotation will bite them since it exposes the lack of lane presence. At least it makes them very effective in guarding the 3, and IIRC, WF was 3rd in ACC in 3pt shooting....
A win is a win in my book. They can win by one every game from here on out. I just think bench needs to be developed for the long run. Amile can't be playing 20 second half minutes. He looked tired and wore down trying to guard out there. Luke's shooting is unreal this year. He looking like Steph out there shooting
Agreed. I am happy with a W myself, and this team can beat anyone for sure. I hope they start rotating bigs a bit more in the 2nd half moving forward, but time will tell. Good news is that they shouldn't need to against Syracuse.
Gonzaga doesn't dribble penetrate, which is Duke's HUGE weakness. They play a style Duke can actually defend. Get Karnowski in foul trouble and that is Duke's game. IMHO
Heard some stuff from Coach K post game press conference possibly benching Amile and Grayson in an attempt to get them healthy for March. Both are not practicing and he is not sure he should risk their health now. We'll see what happens. Found a link http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&id=5973344
Bench Amile? But then Harry or Bolden would play, god forbid.
Alright I promise I'm done with it, I am.
Alright I promise I'm done with it, I am.
As bad as the D was tonight, I'll say this, other Duke teams that flamed out couldn't score to replace the lack of defense. This Duke team can do that. They've also proven they can win ugly, sloppy no score basketball. They've shown they can win multiple ways. That's comforting.
One frustrating aspect of it is a lot of times you expect great offense would lead to some respectable defense... not today.
So Luke kennard is ACCPOY right?
So Luke kennard is ACCPOY right?
And if it's doesn't, hopefully the O takes hold and finishes the game for you. But I hear you. Gotta get stops at key points to win a title.
And yes. Yes he should be.
It'll be tough guarding those bigs. I'm almost certain Amile would get in foul trouble. Giles and Bolden would have to step it up. Williams-Goss is legit though. It would be a good game. I just can't say Duke would beat them though. If I had to bet on one at this moment I would take Gonzaga because of the inside out style. Duke can get hot from three and beat anyone though
Completely agree...this team has shown an ability to make big plays in pressure situations, and regardless of the tempo, style, etc...they seem to have short memories...see the 6 for 6 from the ft line by two freshmen and a senior with a low percentage, moments after Grayson missed the front end of a one-and-one.
The defense needs to be more steady but you win by making more plays than your opponent. Duke did that today, narrowly.
Thanks for that. I was wondering about Allen. K answered that question, I've thought he isn't 100%. He played 28 minutes and took 8 shots today. Amile was solid. Collins is one talented fella
The only thing I'll add is that Honzaga also has to guard Duke. As much as our defense has been an adventure, no one has been able to stop our offense either. K has a good record against Few's system, but this certainly looks like one of his better teams.
I watched Gonzaga yesterday and saw nothing special. Are they good? Yes. Elite? Meh. I don't get the hype from this board.