Hurt's PT...

[nets on nets on nets]

Hurt is Ryan Kelly with a bit more rebounding upside.
Kelly also wasn’t physically ready for big time college basketball his freshman year.

I think we will see Hurt improve the most of anyone these next 4 months, except possibly Moore.

 

[duhondukie]

Hurt is Ryan Kelly with a bit more rebounding upside.
Kelly also wasn’t physically ready for big time college basketball his freshman year.

I think we will see Hurt improve the most of anyone these next 4 months, except possibly Moore.

That is a great comparison. To bad he will not stick around for a few years.

 

[skysdad]

That is a great comparison. To bad he will not stick around for a few years.

Unless he turns his game around this year he better stick at Duke a little while longer. I just don't believe he will even be drafted if he does come out this year but the NBA does draft somewhat on potential so who knows. OFC

 

[jamsession3]

That is a great comparison. To bad he will not stick around for a few years.

A big time recruit once said, there isn't room for a bad game in present - day college basketball, especially if you're considered a pro prospect. Is that unnecessary pressure? Probably so! The reality is kids like Hurt believe they will play one year and be gone. They understand next year's recruiting class has already been selected. Each game is not only about a win, but how did I perform against my peers.

Modern day basketball isn't fair by no means, and yes a typical 18 year old needs time to develop and mature. It's just unfortunate the scouts and critics don't give these kids that option.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

Well, we're 6 games in and a looong ways to go. Matt is still shooting 38% from 3 (but only 41% overall). In 5 minutes last night he was 0 for 4 from the field, but he still had 2 rebounds, an assist, and 0 turnovers in that time...so there were still positives to be had.
Matt is going to win us some games this year, I'd almost guarantee it. He has quite a nice skill set, and a good looking shot. Hard times make tough people. Matt will make it through this, and Duke and us fans will be the better for it.

OFC

 

[Mac9192]

Well, we're 6 games in and a looong ways to go. Matt is still shooting 38% from 3 (but only 41% overall). In 5 minutes last night he was 0 for 4 from the field, but he still had 2 rebounds, an assist, and 0 turnovers in that time...so there were still positives to be had.
Matt is going to win us some games this year, I'd almost guarantee it. He has quite a nice skill set, and a good looking shot. Hard times make tough people. Matt will make it through this, and Duke and us fans will be the better for it.

OFC

Your point Dirt on hard times make tough people is spot on. If Hurt is what we think he is, this rough patch is only temporary.

 

[JCColsCane]

Hang in there folks, Hurt will be fine. Not all of these kids will play and improve at the same speed. His playing time has a lot to do with "K" sending him a message, and I like the way "K" handles these situations. We've seen it before with other talented players, and for the most part, it works. Also, and it is just my opinion, I think that presently Hurt is more of a deliberate, 1/2 court player. By that I mean his adjustment to a fast paced game (like last night) is lacking. I believe when (and if) we get caught up in a slow paced game (Virginia?), Hurt will have a break out game. We just need to let Hurt adjust to the speed of the College game, he will be fine.

Go Duke!
OFC

 

[skysdad]

Hang in there folks, Hurt will be fine. Not all of these kids will play and improve at the same speed. His playing time has a lot to do with "K" sending him a message, and I like the way "K" handles these situations. We've seen it before with other talented players, and for the most part, it works. Also, and it is just my opinion, I think that presently Hurt is more of a deliberate, 1/2 court player. By that I mean his adjustment to a fast paced game (like last night) is lacking. I believe when (and if) we get caught up in a slow paced game (Virginia?), Hurt will have a break out game. We just need to let Hurt adjust to the speed of the College game, he will be fine.

Go Duke!
OFC

Good post. OFC

 

[Mpm277]

I feel bad for Alex. If he makes shots he’ll play. Same thing last year. Problem is, he doesn’t make shots.

AOC always looks line he has a lot of game, but man it just seems like nothing goes his way on the court.

 

[dukiejay]

AOC always looks line he has a lot of game, but man it just seems like nothing goes his way on the court.

Yep. It sucks. You use the eye test and you see a kid with a smooth stroke who is bouncy and athletic. We know he can shoot it and be effective, we’ve just never seen it consistently.

 

[Duke Blu]

AOC is the type that you just want to keep sending him out there because I mean, look at him. Surely he will snap out of it and be a dog. But it’s year 3. Maybe he is who he is? That would suck!

 

[LouisiAaron]

A lot of people just don’t understand the jump these players have to make from high school to college. For most of them, they go from playing against kids to grown men. Big difference between an 18 yr old and 21 yr old. Unless you’re Zion. Carey and Moore seemed to be grown a$$ men too. Hurt will get there. Everyone’s race is different. He’s lucky he has the GOAT to mentor him along.

….And Stanley. You forgot to add him in the grown man category. He looks like a seasoned vet

 

[LouisiAaron]

As of right now starting the game off with Jack and Vernon is our best option. I think it would be good to bring Matt off the bench to be the scorer when Vernon goes out. We can run the offense through him to get him more comfortable. That Jack-Javin lineup is terrible offensively. Let Matt be the guy in the second unit until he gets comfortable. We have the scoring punch in the starting lineup but that second unit has no one. Idk what to say about Alex right now. I think Joey has definitely passed him up. Joey will be an x-factor. He is what we hoped Alex was. A shooter!

 

[Barry 24]

I only saw the second half at the gym. No sound. Former NC State player, Yurtseven, was fantastic. He had 21 points in only 23 minutes. Was he in severe foul trouble!

 

[Kingbluedevil]

I think K did Matt a favor by sitting him in the Georgetown game. This type of game would have only hurt his confidence.

 

[Buzzooka Joe]

That is a great comparison. To bad he will not stick around for a few years.

I’m really hoping what Tre does this year will make a lot of players realize coming back for a 2nd year can make you a lot more money in the NBA.

Last draft, Tre would have been a 2nd round pick or a really late 1st rounder at best.. he has a chance to be a late lottery pick this year if he continues his current play.. But guys with Hurt/Moore size and skill set could move up to a top 5 pick if they have an excellent college season.

 

[Liftee]

Hurt has to toughen up. The ACC games will be rougher than Georgetown. I hope he does because we need him desperately. You'll recall that Coach K said he should have red shirted Kelly. I hope the same thing isn't the case with Hurt.

 

[lyonhawk]

Hurt has to toughen up. The ACC games will be rougher than Georgetown. I hope he does because we need him desperately. You'll recall that Coach K said he should have red shirted Kelly. I hope the same thing isn't the case with Hurt.

It won’t be. There’s no way Hurt is here long enough for that to matter.

 

[Badabingbadaboom]

I don’t think he will leave if he doesn’t show any more than he has lately. Should get a lot of exposure the next couple years as he figures it out. May never be a lotto pick, but should try,

 

[SwaggerJacker]

O’Connell is trending down too. If he’s not making shots he will quickly fall out of the rotation. We have so many guys who do a lot of other things that Alex better get out of this shooting funk.

Good point. Actually a great point. He's not really a consistent energy guy. His defense has improved marginally over last year, can't create his own shot (except a dunk) and he has no mid-range game. I like the kid, but it's time for him to show up. And consistently. OFC

 

[skysdad]

Good point. Actually a great point. He's not really a consistent energy guy. His defense has improved marginally over last year, can't create his own shot (except a dunk) and he has no mid-range game. I like the kid, but it's time for him to show up. And consistently. OFC

Yep when you have only one skill and you can't get that done then somebody else is gonna get your minutes. I like Alex too but he'said been at Duke long enough to improve in other parts of the game. Don't need to hear Coach K is pulling him too quick and not sticking with him. As the old basketball saying goes the ball is in his court. OFC

 

[LouisiAaron]

Hurt better talk to Ingram. Ingram struggles out the gate too. The problem is Hurt is technically a wing but he can’t create his own shot OR he’s just not doing it. The way he shoots it would be good for him to get the second most attempts but it’s hard because he can’t create on his own

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Hurt better talk to Ingram. Ingram struggles out the gate too. The problem is Hurt is technically a wing but he can’t create his own shot OR he’s just not doing it. The way he shoots it would be good for him to get the second most attempts but it’s hard because he can’t create on his own

This is actually a pretty good comparison. Ingram obviously had the much higher ceiling than Hurt. But Ingram did struggle until January. He was so weak, and struggled to really get any sort of consistency due to always getting bumped or fumbling the ball.

One positive with Hurt...his defense hasn't been atrocious. He doesn't seem to be that big of a liability to where the opposing team is gonna try to single him out and attack him every time.
I think by January Hurt is regularly giving us 15 points and 6-8 rebounds a night.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

I only saw the second half at the gym. No sound. Former NC State player, Yurtseven, was fantastic. He had 21 points in only 23 minutes. Was he in severe foul trouble!

yes and he hit some tough jumpshots

 

[lakeside420]

Our players minutes except for the big 3(Tre,Vern and Cass) will fluctuate throughout the season. As its looking right now, Hurt and Moore should come back for the soph. season. Hurt is extremly skilled but is just too weak and Moore has a decent handle, made a 3 agianst GTown but players his size come a dime a dozen.