Next Year

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

1. We will have twice the competent ball handlers. I expect a big jump from DT. We can argue over who will start between him and Frank but the important part is that we will have depth. Big big potential for growth this summer from Derryck.

2. The offseason should be good for Luke too. Even if Grayson goes (which right now I would put the odds of him leaving at 40/60), we have a true SG no matter what. Luke allows us to spread the floor which will be important next year. If Grayson stays then I see him as a potential preseason AA. He will have more weapons around him so he can really spend the summer working on defense, footwork, and fine tuning his game.

3. Matt Jones needs to get healthy and work on his offensive game. He just didn't seem to make an impact on the offensive end once ACC play started. A few weeks ago I would have said there is no way he doesn't start as a senior, but if Grayson comes back, I don't see a spot for him in the starting lineup assuming Tatum and Giles are as advertised. I think Tatum plays 35 minutes a game. Gonna be interesting to see how they share the ball.

4. Giles will be the best 4 man in the country. If he is ACC ROY then we are in for a great season. Jefferson at the 4 when Giles is in the bench gives us a little more traditional look. Jefferson and Matt should be good captains next year.

5. I like Jeter at the 5. I really do. I don't think he starts but man I think he will be a good player for us. Him and Amile will gobble up so many offensive rebounds next year it will be SUCH a different team. Open kickout 3s all day. Man next year is going to be fun!

 

[nets on nets on nets]

It is really hard for me to imagine what next years team will be like until we know if Grayson/Bolden will be with us. Eithey way, I am ready to blow teams out again!!

 

[Crank_it_loud]

1. We will have twice the competent ball handlers. I expect a big jump from DT. We can argue over who will start between him and Frank but the important part is that we will have depth. Big big potential for growth this summer from Derryck.

2. The offseason should be good for Luke too. Even if Grayson goes (which right now I would put the odds of him leaving at 40/60), we have a true SG no matter what. Luke allows us to spread the floor which will be important next year. If Grayson stays then I see him as a potential preseason AA. He will have more weapons around him so he can really spend the summer working on defense, footwork, and fine tuning his game.

3. Matt Jones needs to get healthy and work on his offensive game. He just didn't seem to make an impact on the offensive end once ACC play started. A few weeks ago I would have said there is no way he doesn't start as a senior, but if Grayson comes back, I don't see a spot for him in the starting lineup assuming Tatum and Giles are as advertised. I think Tatum plays 35 minutes a game. Gonna be interesting to see how they share the ball.

4. Giles will be the best 4 man in the country. If he is ACC ROY then we are in for a great season. Jefferson at the 4 when Giles is in the bench gives us a little more traditional look. Jefferson and Matt should be good captains next year.

5. I like Jeter at the 5. I really do. I don't think he starts but man I think he will be a good player for us. Him and Amile will gobble up so many offensive rebounds next year it will be SUCH a different team. Open kickout 3s all day. Man next year is going to be fun!

1) so so right, and will be a dangerous backcourt IMO.
2) Luke can be lights-out, I just hope he learns to temper that "shoot whenever I want" that he gets into on occasion. He will be special no doubt.
3) No clue what is wrong with Matt, but he is a complete liability on offense, even with as good as he is on D. Hope he gets healthy and addresses whatever is wrong.
4) Giles and Bam from UK will be tough to manage. I hope Jeter develops nicely so Giles has a longer, bigger C/PF to play alongside some of these minutes.
5) Agreed. If he and Amile can split minutes there at the 5, Duke should be okay.

 

[dukiejay]

I'll be excited for next season in a month....right now still kind of bummed we went down last night. But I understand the optimism. We're going to have a chance to be special next season.

First things first, does Grayson come back? A month ago I was firmly in the camp that he was likely gone. Since then I've heard some things that lead me to believe it's a really tough decision for him. And not a tough decision like it was for Kyrie or Jabari....there was no decision with either of them. It made no sense for them to come back. For Grayson, one could argue that not only does it make sense, but rather that he should come back. FWIW, he is on pace to graduate next spring. I still lean that he goes, but it's only about 60/40 whereas it was 85/15 a month ago. We'll find out soon.

Matt was bad after the ankle injury. That's not to imply he was playing great before it, but he offered some pieces we sorely needed in outside shooting and the ability to guard bigger, physical wing players. Obviously he's still been bothered my the injury....because players don't just regress like that.

I still think Thornton is going to be pretty good. Two things....a lot of us still had Tyus in our mind when we first watched Derryck, and his ebbs and flows this season were drastic at times. I'd be pretty shocked if next season's roster isn't more conducive to his playing style and makes him look a lot better.

For now, I'm not really considering Bolden. I honestly believe he knows what he wants but there might be a few people in his ear close to him who'd like to see Duke be the choice....unfortunately I don't think he's feeling it with us. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Get Nasty]

I went in to the ACC tournament expecting duke to win every game but knowing the most likely wouldn't. I don't have that second part feeling that often with Duke.

I'm really really hoping Thornton and Luke improve big time, i just think the improvement needed from Thornton is really big so my expectations aren't that high. I'm pulling for him to because having multiple ball handling guards are when duke is at its best. Luke needs to play smarter and more consistent with footwork, form, shot selection, legs underneath him, etc. All items you can improve on fairly easily.

I want to see an uptemp offense and a defense creating lots of turnovers again.

 

[LetsGoDukies]

Giles really working on Bolden!

 

[twdukefan]

Giles really working on Bolden!

He's doing his best to get Bolden in, we'll see what he ends up doing

 

[aah555]

We'll see on Grayson. I've long leaned towards thinking he'd stay as long as his draft stock didn't elevate to late lottery -- mid-first round. Though, as all this nonsense keeps escalating about Allen the designated Duke villain, I do wonder if that stuff does eventually push him out the door. While the fighter / stubborn side of Allen may say I'm not going to let others dictate my life, the sad reality is that all this Duke hate pretty much goes away whenever he gets to the next level. JJ is a pretty excellent example of that -- with the exception of road games to Washington D.C. and Charlotte early in his career. Once Allen gets to the next level, he's just another guy trying to build a career.

If he comes back, ESPN and the rest of loser college b-ball fans will spend every waking second tying to hyperscrutinize everything he does -- and there's just no way he's ever going to be treated fairly. Dillon Brooks nails an unnecessary 3 after we had clearly waived the white flag, does a bit of a bush league post-shot celebration, may or may not have said something to Allen after an entire game of talking trash (you watch the video, I'm not sold that Brooks was just telling Allen how much he respects him) -- and yet somehow Allen not affirmatively hugging the guy as he walks to the customary handshake line becomes the headline story from that game. It's sad -- but it's reality. Unless he's really willing to embrace that role of Duke villain, I personally think it makes sense for him to declare. He's very likely going to be a first round player and he's a good enough player / athlete where I think he can survive at the next level until the rest of his game rounds out. I hope he stays, but I could certainly understand it if he's like -- eh -- why waste my time visiting small-town redneck towns in the ACC where I'll get constant abuse from losers when I can become an instant millionaire & NBA player.

 

[DFerryFan]

We'll see on Grayson. I've long leaned towards thinking he'd stay as long as his draft stock didn't elevate to late lottery -- mid-first round. Though, as all this nonsense keeps escalating about Allen the designated Duke villain, I do wonder if that stuff does eventually push him out the door. While the fighter / stubborn side of Allen may say I'm not going to let others dictate my life, the sad reality is that all this Duke hate pretty much goes away whenever he gets to the next level. JJ is a pretty excellent example of that -- with the exception of road games to Washington D.C. and Charlotte early in his career. Once Allen gets to the next level, he's just another guy trying to build a career.

If he comes back, ESPN and the rest of loser college b-ball fans will spend every waking second tying to hyperscrutinize everything he does -- and there's just no way he's ever going to be treated fairly. Dillon Brooks nails a 3, does an unnecessary post-shot celebration, may or may not have said something to Allen (you watch the video, I'm not sold that Brooks was just telling Allen how much he respects him) -- and yet somehow Allen's reaction becomes the headline story from that game. It's sad -- but it's reality. Unless he's really willing to embrace that role of Duke villain, I personally think it makes sense for him to declare. He's very likely going to be a first round player and he's a good enough player / athlete where I think he can survive at the next level until the rest of his game rounds out.

When these kinds of things happen, it's funny to watch the people that seem to have almost no interested in college bball other than just hating Duke. All we can do is just keep winning some more.

 

[HuffyJB]

Next year will be very exciting. Even if Allen leaves, Duke is a top 5 team. If Allen returns, Duke is preseason #1.

And to the Brooks shot, I was thinking the same thing last night. If the roles were reversed and Grayson took that shot, people would be losing their minds. But not a word today. Some people are incredibly stupid when it comes to Duke. But I will always take that over being irrelevant, I can tell you that.

 

[twdukefan]

Next year will be very exciting. Even if Allen leaves, Duke is a top 5 team. If Allen returns, Duke is preseason #1.

And to the Brooks shot, I was thinking the same thing last night. If the roles were reversed and Grayson took that shot, people would be losing their minds. But not a word today. Some people are incredibly stupid when it comes to Duke. But I will always take that over being irrelevant, I can tell you that.

What's Oregon done in the NCAAT until this year? I guess while you have the upper hand, embrace it...wouldn't want to play this Duke team next year after the reload

 

[duke0527]

Whatever. Teams always rub it in when it's not an elite Duke team. I remember WV in 08 acting like clowns. Oregon flexing throughout the game . I'm used to it and expect it. You won't see much of that next year. I just wish K would have owned it in the press conference. There was nothing wrong with what he said.

 

[twdukefan]

Whatever. Teams always rub it in when it's not an elite Duke team. I remember WV in 08 acting like clowns. Oregon flexing throughout the game . I'm used to it and expect it. You won't see much of that next year. I just wish K would have owned it in the press conference. There was nothing wrong with what he said.

That WV team was awesome this year!

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Whatever. Teams always rub it in when it's not an elite Duke team. I remember WV in 08 acting like clowns. Oregon flexing throughout the game . I'm used to it and expect it. You won't see much of that next year. I just wish K would have owned it in the press conference. There was nothing wrong with what he said.

Joe "I went from lottery pick to out of the league in 3 years" Alexander

 

[poppycat]

Next year will be very exciting. Even if Allen leaves, Duke is a top 5 team. If Allen returns, Duke is preseason #1.

And to the Brooks shot, I was thinking the same thing last night. If the roles were reversed and Grayson took that shot, people would be losing their minds. But not a word today. Some people are incredibly stupid when it comes to Duke. But I will always take that over being irrelevant, I can tell you that.

I have to agree, it's like storming the floor.........We don't expect that from Duke and UK (&some others).We've been there, done that and know how to act. I give Brooks a pass due to lack of experiencing these situation. ....Real stupid is Indiana storming the court when they win...It's admitting who you actually are.

P.S. has to be a bummer having a season go like that due to a major injury.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I tried to warn everyone about Brooks on Monday right after the Oregon St.Joes game............he just had that look.........

 

[JCColsCane]

Absolutely cannot wait for next season! Of course I'm always that way, but really looking forward to next season. I really think that the Olympics, then the team that K has coming in next year, will give him an extra boost in energy. Oh yeah, and with all that's coming in, we will see a big change in Thornton & Jeter.
Daddy can take the T-Bird away, cause next year is going to be Fun, Fun, Fun!!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[Baller224]

I've been firmly in the camp that Allen will return. I still think he returns, but the one thing I think may push him out is the unjustified hate that he continues to receive. It's ridiculous.

 

[skysdad]

It's about baseball season guys. Already been to several high school games and before too long I'll be score keeping some youth baseball. OFC

 

[lobstersgopinchpinch]

I want Grayson back in a big way (sans the tripping fetish). I'm not confident that DT is our answer at PG next year. If Grayson is back, he starts @ 2 and Frank Jackson would potentially slide to the 1 (personally I think he'd have a good chance to win that competition with DT.) Worst case to me is Grayson is gone and Bolden goes to UK. Potentially we're relatively weak at both the 1 and the 5.

 

[youngman42]

Grayson's decision will be a tough one, I suspect. A month or two ago I felt like it was a 90% chance he was going. His stock was in the low 20's which secures a guaranteed deal. Chad Ford, whom I trust as one of the more accurate prognosticators based on his conversations with a slew of NBA scouts, says that there's a wide range of disagreement about Grayson and that he could be rated between 20 and 30. Right now, Ford has him at 28. But, Ford also notes that it's possible his stock may not get any higher than it is now since he may not be as dominant a scorer next year with the new recruits coming in. On the other hand, even if you are rated in the high 20's, that's no guarantee you'll go in the 1st round and get a guaranteed deal or be guaranteed to make the team - which would be a bummer. So, it's possible he could turn pro and just never make it or struggle to be on a team. If he stays, he gets likely two more years; graduates; has a great experience and might even have a shot at another title, depending on how capable the freshmen next year turn out to be (you just never know - I think they are better than last year's group; but Jeter was a 5-star recruit and played more like a 3.5-4.0 star. He will take some time to develop). I do think the top three recruits will be very, very good.

Just a tough call for Grayson, imo. I'd probably say it's still favored he goes but maybe more 60/40.

What I'm really looking forward to, however, is to see Jack White on the bench. That should make things really crazy. Wonder if he'll play some music before or after the games?

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

I can't WAIT to play Miami, ND, and of course the cheaters next year. Kansas will be a good early season matchup for Duke in the champions classic, and I have a feeling Maryland will be our big ten/ACC opponent.

 

[df64]

Lundquist literally came out of his pants pointing out Allen blowing off Brooks. You could tell he has been waiting for something, anything to happen that they could jump on. Spanarkel pointed out the needless shot and possible celebration and Lunquist wanted nothing to do with the possibility of a reasonable explanation.

Huffy, you are spot on. If the roles were reversed, all the criticism would be directed at the shot and subsequent phony show of sportsmanship.

 

[youngman42]

Lundquist literally came out of his pants pointing out Allen blowing off Brooks. You could tell he has been waiting for something, anything to happen that they could jump on. Spanarkel pointed out the needless shot and possible celebration and Lunquist wanted nothing to do with the possibility of a reasonable explanation.

Huffy, you are spot on. If the roles were reversed, all the criticism would be directed at the shot and subsequent phony show of sportsmanship.

It didn't really even look like he blew him off. He did put his arm up like a half hearted pat on the arm, imo. I didn't really see any actual dissing by Grayson. And Grayson did go thru the line to shake hands, which is the customary time to shake hands. Lundquist was hunting for controversy that wasn't even there.

 

[DFerryFan]

Whatever. Teams always rub it in when it's not an elite Duke team. I remember WV in 08 acting like clowns. Oregon flexing throughout the game . I'm used to it and expect it. You won't see much of that next year. I just wish K would have owned it in the press conference. There was nothing wrong with what he said.

I do remember WVU in 08, but I also remember we got ultimate payback in 2010. BEAT DOWN!! And then the championship! WOOHOO, suck it Huggins!

 

[DukeDenver]

It didn't really even look like he blew him off. He did put his arm up like a half hearted pat on the arm, imo. I didn't really see any actual dissing by Grayson. And Grayson did go thru the line to shake hands, which is the customary time to shake hands. Lundquist was hunting for controversy that wasn't even there.

Lots of media outlets are trying to drum up controversy surrounding Duke, K and Grayson. Luckily, no one outside of THR is buying the BS. Pathetic climate of wannabe reporters right now. ESPN does it all the time. We just have to ignore.

 

[SwlaDukie]

About the game Oregon was the better prepared more experienced club last night. The shot by Brooks was more luck than anything else, and besides if you didn't want him to make the shot defend him. And of course if you have the rare and unlikely opportunity to beat Duke, you are going to relish the in the chance.
I think Grayson likes his role as the hated Dukie. I believe he spent quite a bit of time with JJ this off season. He can take the heat either way it goes. If he goes this year it will have more to do with a more loaded draft next year compared to this year.
As for Duke 2017, I believe this Duke team will be the most talented squad that Duke has had since 2001. I healthy Harry Giles who has been around the team rehabbing will be a superstar next year. He will be more like a red shirt freshman next year than a true freshman. He has great hands and footwork; I doubt he will fumble all those bread basket passes dropped by Plumlee and Jeter this year. Thornton will have a big jump this off season. Especially saying he didn't really join the team until near the end of the summer camp. You add Amile Jefferson who was averaging a double/double before breaking his foot. Chase Jeter, Luke Kennard and Matt Jones will all get better. Not to mention Jayson Tatum who a lot draft experts are saying has become the number one prospect in the country right now since Harry's injury, and he has grown to 6'9" 210 pounds allowing him to play some stretch four too. Then the kid I like the most of the group Frank Jackson, who Dennis Smith Jr. said is the player he respected the most before he got injured. Then if you add the unexpected or unanticipated contributions from players like potentially Bolden or Allen coming back, or Jack White/Javin Delaurier/Vrank being better than anticipated watch out Duke maybe 1998/99 good next year. I'm always a cup over filled Duke fan so I truly expect Duke to win 35 games and beat Oregon by 60 points on the way to the Final 4 next year.

 

[dadecodevil]

Ill mostly be glad to never see a zone again! And everything the OP said!