Starting lineup today...

[nets on nets on nets]

This was the first team in today’s scrimmage apparently. Seems about right. I’d assume AOC will be on a short leash with Cassius itching to get in the lineup.
Javin and Jack off the bench too. Them along with Goldwire and we may have one of the most experienced benches in the nation, for whatever that is worth.

 

[dukiejay]

Definitely a lot of experience off the bench. All reports indicate that AOC has finally made the jump many of us thought we’d see last season. Hopefully that’s correct.

I do like Jack coming off the bench. That’s his optimum role, IMO. It’s not that he can’t start, because he can, but he brings a moxie that’s more beneficial in a reserve capacity.

I like the ‘veteran’ backcourt, as well. It’s also the first time since 2013-14, or six years, that we’ll have a true point guard starting who is not a freshman. Think about that.

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

1. Tre
2. Cassius
3. Wendell
4 Matt
5. Big Vernon

 

[sheyduke]

I like Stanley coming off the bench with Goldwire. Gives Duke a defender and scorer and a good defender in Goldwire to spell the backcourt.

 

[pisgah101]

I like it. If AOC keeps it we are gunna be heck of a team because Cassius will bring it

 

[jamsession3]

AOC will be a symbolic starter based on experience. Stanley will get the minutes. Jack will get the bulk of minutes at PF. Javin will be there for Vernon mistakes.

Strategy and chemistry will be the story for next year.

 

[skysdad]

AOC has to play defense. It will make the rest of his game better. No more turning the head and watching the guy you are guarding go in for a layup. OFC

 

[dukehokie]

Definitely a lot of experience off the bench. All reports indicate that AOC has finally made the jump many of us thought we’d see last season. Hopefully that’s correct.

I do like Jack coming off the bench. That’s his optimum role, IMO. It’s not that he can’t start, because he can, but he brings a moxie that’s more beneficial in a reserve capacity.

I like the ‘veteran’ backcourt, as well. It’s also the first time since 2013-14, or six years, that we’ll have a true point guard starting who is not a freshman. Think about that.

This. Alex is a shooter and this team needs shooting plain and simple. The lineup will look different in key situations (Cassius or Goldwire in for D over Alex, Jack and/or Jav subbing in and out with the freshmen bigs), but to get out to early leads, this is a really good scoring group.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

I'm a little surprised, I thought Cassius and Javin would for sure be starters from day one. If AOC and Hurt really do end up being the starters then maybe we'll actually have and use quality depth this year.

 

[christophero]

This might be good for AOC. He knows he will need to be aggressive and shoot well to keep Cassius out of the line up.

 

[LouisiAaron]

I'm a little surprised, I thought Cassius and Javin would for sure be starters from day one. If AOC and Hurt really do end up being the starters then maybe we'll actually have and use quality depth this year.

What lineup did you think would start?

 

[christophero]

I like our bench of Javin, Jack, Goldwire and Baker and Cassius. I'm really hoping Baker blows up this year.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

What lineup did you think would start?

Jones
Stanley
Moore
DeLaurier
Carey

 

[jamsession3]

Jones
Stanley
Moore
DeLaurier
Carey

My problem with this lineup is no depth at the 5.

I don't buy in to positionless bball. There is a need for starters and backups at the appropriate positions. Yes, each player should be versatile, but height can never be debated.

If you use Javin and Carey together, play them like the Jazz did Favors and Rudy. Start them and then move one to the bench 5 to 8 minutes into the half.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

many rotations to be had ...good combos after the initial start is hurt/jav and white/carey.......good mix of leadership and youth...size in the paint and shooting from the outside

 

[nets on nets on nets]

many rotations to be had ...good combos after the initial start is hurt/jav and white/carey.......good mix of leadership and youth...size in the paint and shooting from the outside

I agree. Those are solid 4/5 combo's. Each combo provides shooting and size/strength.

I was listening to The Devils Den podcast over the weekend. Apparently Matthew Hurt was unable to bench 135 pounds a single time when he arrived at Duke. For an ACC athlete, that is extremely weak. I'm starting to think he may see more time at the 3 since he can shoot, and a lot less time defending strong post players inside.

 

[truth321]

AOC has to play defense. It will make the rest of his game better. No more turning the head and watching the guy you are guarding go in for a layup. OFC

Thats my concern with AOC. He plays horrible defense.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

I agree. Those are solid 4/5 combo's. Each combo provides shooting and size/strength.

I was listening to The Devils Den podcast over the weekend. Apparently Matthew Hurt was unable to bench 135 pounds a single time when he arrived at Duke. For an ACC athlete, that is extremely weak. I'm starting to think he may see more time at the 3 since he can shoot, and a lot less time defending strong post players inside.

but it also said he is able to do it now multiple time...cant remember the exact number said...thinking 10x.....but yeah, hurt at the 3/4 depending on matchups....i foresee a lot of hurt just bodying up in the paint ala lance thomas and kyle singler

 

[dukedevilz]

I agree. Those are solid 4/5 combo's. Each combo provides shooting and size/strength.

I was listening to The Devils Den podcast over the weekend. Apparently Matthew Hurt was unable to bench 135 pounds a single time when he arrived at Duke. For an ACC athlete, that is extremely weak. I'm starting to think he may see more time at the 3 since he can shoot, and a lot less time defending strong post players inside.

Not being able to bench 135 pounds is extremely weak for any 18 or 19 year-old, IMO. Basketball players have longer arms, however, so Hurt will have to go down a little further than the average person. In theory, this seems perfectly reasonable. And I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he struggles to guard bigger and stronger forwards. But, didn't K say Hurt was the best defender among the four freshmen?

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Not being able to bench 135 pounds is extremely weak for any 18 or 19 year-old, IMO. Basketball players have longer arms, however, so Hurt will have to go down a little further than the average person. In theory, this seems perfectly reasonable. And I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he struggles to guard bigger and stronger forwards. But, didn't K say Hurt was the best defender among the four freshmen?

K didn't say best. He said "furthest along," which I'm assuming means Hurt has a better understanding of defensive rotations, help defense, defensive sets etc. He's a smart kid so makes sense.
If Hurt is the best defender of the freshman, we are in trouble, because he's gonna be a liability on that end given how weak he is and he isn't quick moving side to side, reminds me a lot like Ryan Kelly.

He is the all-time leading scorer in Minnesota history, so we all know he can get buckets. The question will be can he defend 4's or 3's? And could he play in a lineup alongside Vernon AND Javin?

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

Thats my concern with AOC. He plays horrible defense.

VT and Outlaw in the sweet 16 says differently...

 

[dukiejay]

I wouldn’t say Alex’s defense is horrible, but it’s not good. He has a lot of the intangibles to be a good defender. His problem is more in his thinking being slow, rather than his feet.

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

I wouldn’t say Alex’s defense is horrible, but it’s not good. He has a lot of the intangibles to be a good defender. His problem is more in his thinking being slow, rather than his feet.

Agreed. Saying he is terrible, to me, means he can never defend. We’ve seen some flashes but he still needs to improve to get to a decent level of D.

 

[crazyduke3]

I remember one of those NCAAT games Alex rebounded and played his tear off despite not shooting well. He won me with that effort.

I’m excited for when Goldwire and Tre are in together, the havoc those two can cause will be so awesome!!!

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

"Starting lineup" does not mean much to me this year because it is going to change a lot...outside of the PG slot. What really intrigues me is going to be who the 8, 9, and 10 guys are, and how many minutes they get. I'm guessing Javin, Goldwire, and Baker. And i'm hoping 10+ minutes apiece.

 

[Duke Blu]

This was the first team in today’s scrimmage apparently. Seems about right. I’d assume AOC will be on a short leash with Cassius itching to get in the lineup.
Javin and Jack off the bench too. Them along with Goldwire and we may have one of the most experienced benches in the nation, for whatever that is worth.

Do y’all still feel this (Tre, AOC, Moore, Hurt, Carey) is the lineup after the CTC scrimmage? Stanley will be interesting. He’s older so he brings a different dynamic than your usual freshman

 

[1Dukie]

Cassius plays better defense than Alex and was also looking to attack the basket on offense. Wouldnt be surprised if earns a starting spot

 

[LouisiAaron]

Yea give me Cassius. He has a good feel for the game and he's very active off the ball

 

[Mac9192]

You guys are debating a starting lineup after basically a meaningless scrimmage game last night? I wasn’t there, didn’t watch it on my phone, or however it was shown.
We may see multiple lineups. I have no clue. The only spot I feel is guaranteed is Tre. Maybe Carey and Hurt are the other spots. But I won’t be surprised to see different lineups.
But to put a good expectation on Cassius, or to down Alex in October?
Pump the brakes fellas.

 

[pisgah101]

You guys are debating a starting lineup after basically a meaningless scrimmage game last night? I wasn’t there, didn’t watch it on my phone, or however it was shown.
We may see multiple lineups. I have no clue. The only spot I feel is guaranteed is Tre. Maybe Carey and Hurt are the other spots. But I won’t be surprised to see different lineups.
But to put a good expectation on Cassius, or to down Alex in October?
Pump the brakes fellas.

Nope 20 min glorified practice shows it all!

 

[sheyduke]

Yea give me Cassius. He has a good feel for the game and he's very active off the ball

But his shot is suspect and Duke needs to spread the floor for their bigs to work otherwise if it’s Carey, Hurt, Moore, Stanley and Jones teams are gonna pack the lane on Duke again. Need atleast two good shooters in the starting lineup by guess unless he simply just don’t care Alex gets that nod.

Wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Duke go small 1-3 with Tre, Alex and Stanley .

 

[Mpm277]

Everyone is talking about depth as if K won't whittle things down to 1 or 2 players by conference play.

 

[LouisiAaron]

But his shot is suspect and Duke needs to spread the floor for their bigs to work otherwise if it’s Carey, Hurt, Moore, Stanley and Jones teams are gonna pack the lane on Duke again. Need atleast two good shooters in the starting lineup by guess unless he simply just don’t care Alex gets that nod.

Wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Duke go small 1-3 with Tre, Alex and Stanley .

im thinking about defense mostly. We will find ways to score. Defense always keep you in games. With Tre, Cassius and Wendell we will get a lot of pressure on the other team perimeter and cause some turnovers. Both of our bigs can spread the floor and pass the ball. Meaning some backdoors and off ball cuts will be open. Stanley didn’t really shoot the ball from deep. He found ways to get to his spots.

 

[DukeDenver]

I don’t give a crap who starts as long as the best players stay in the longest.

 

[christophero]

I like Tre, AOC, Jack, Hurt and Carey. Javin and Moore and Stanley and Goldwire off the bench. Later in the year replace Moore or Stanley for Jack.

 

[sheyduke]

But his shot is suspect and Duke needs to spread the floor for their bigs to work otherwise if it’s Carey, Hurt, Moore, Stanley and Jones teams are gonna pack the lane on Duke again. Need atleast two good shooters in the starting lineup by guess unless he simply just don’t care Alex gets that nod.

Wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Duke go small 1-3 with Tre, Alex and Stanley .

im thinking about defense mostly. We will find ways to score. Defense always keep you in games. With Tre, Cassius and Wendell we will get a lot of pressure on the other team perimeter and cause some turnovers. Both of our bigs can spread the floor and pass the ball. Meaning some backdoors and off ball cuts will be open. Stanley didn’t really shoot the ball from deep. He found ways to get to his spots.

I get what your saying. I just see Carey being better suited to being down low and Hurt is rail thin so he’s gonna have to shoot the ball well at the college level. It’s gonna be interesting to say the least.

 

[Liftee]

No question we'll have trouble against teams like Mich. State who will bang and push (and get away with it). Those teams are rare though.

I do think we'll see Hurt at the 3 with Javin and Vernon in at the same time when we have to, and I think Hurt can handle it.

I liked seeing Goldwire and Tre playing at the same time and I'd like to see more of that in 3 minute stretches of all out pressing. That could really give the team a boost.

 

[Showenuff]

Cassius has to much skill, mobility, agility and maturity to not start. If he doesn't in the beginning, it won't take long. Kids a baller.

 

[peterjurkinsquirtsroywilliams]

Cassius has to much skill, mobility, agility and maturity to not start. If he doesn't in the beginning, it won't take long. Kids a baller.

I agree, he has a good feel for the game.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

After re-watching the CTC scrimmage again, I still have no idea how Alex is gonna do this year. He seemed super confident on offense, and was even handling the ball a little more than last year. However..shocking I know, the defense was still terrible.
He repeatedly got caught out of position, Cassius beat him backdoor a few times. The mistakes he is making are not because he's slow or unathletic or anything like that. These are just basic mental lapses that cannot happen at this level.

I think for Duke to be a final four type team, Alex needs to be one the best players and be reliable to give us 10-12 ppg consistently, and I gotta say, I'm more than worried at the moment.