This goes for college basketball in general for me. The players aren’t typically around long enough to invest in. My interest is nowhere near the same as it was in the 2000s.I may get some flack for this, but even I'll admit to sort of being in a coma with this team. I can't recall ever having missed watching this many games since first becoming a Duke fan two decades ago. I didn't watch the game the other night because I literally just forgot we were playing.
I don't know why that is. I'm sure part of it is because I'm a bit more busy than usual right now. But there is just something - I honestly don't know what - that has me kind of sleeping on this team and I'm just not able to get as pumped as I've always been for every team prior. It's not a knock against them (at least I don't mean for it to be), but just kind of where I am right now.
I dunno, Big Vern is pretty damn dominant. Is he as explosive as some of our other freshman bigs? No, but he’s consistent as all get out and putting up Jah like numbers, on a team with 5 legit other scorers. Also, outside of the SFA game, as team, we’ve been pretty damn dominant.We aren’t being disrespected. We just watched the most fascinating player, maybe ever, play last season. Plus, the two teams prior had some elite freshmen too.
Maybe this season washes out, in terms of hype. The last couple received enough to offset what this one may not be getting.
This team is good, and everyone knows it. There just isn’t a dominant kid this year. But there are a lot of decent teams, and we are one of them.
I guess I'm the odd duck then. I love this team, and I''m really enjoying watching them play. To me, the team play without all the iso stuff is more like Duke ball in the 80's and 90's. They play hard, and they play good defense.
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Post of the year TimoI love this team and love their energy. They’re a joy to watch and i have no clue what I’m going to get from game to game.
For the fans that can’t get over the last season or that put all their eggs in the tournament basket every year, I’m not sure what to tell you, but I’m so sorry for you. I love the journey and the ride. I live and die on every shot, every game that I’m privileged enough to watch.
Duke and K aren’t perfect, they never will be. But compared to anywhere else or anyone else!? I’m the luckiest fan in the world. We’ve only got so much time to watch the best coach that’s ever lived do his thing, and i think it’s a crime that anyone would let last season or any season prior dictate my love for the...NEXT PLAY.
LFG! Go Duke!
This is exactly how I feel. I’ve probably enjoyed this team as much as any team - at least since 2015. Last year started with great hype, but sputtered a bit with injuries.I guess I'm the odd duck then. I love this team, and I''m really enjoying watching them play. To me, the team play without all the iso stuff is more like Duke ball in the 80's and 90's. They play hard, and they play good defense. The 3 point shooting is coming around, and K has many parts to plug and play between better defense, or better offense, or a blend of both. Options, plenty of them.
Joey Buckets is becoming a flamethrower, Matthew Hurt is totally capable of having big games, Tre is becoming a legit threat to score besides his great play making and defense. Vernon, well, he's just terrific, and Jack is playing so well. JGold is becoming indispensable with his offense improving every game, and his defense such a weapon, especially alongside Tre.
Javin has always showed snippets of being very good, but now he seems to be more comfortable and consistent. Ca$h was money before the injury, but he's not back into the swing yet...it's coming though. Moore can be amazing at times, just needs to be consistent and under control a little more. Justin Robinson can make huge blocks, and can light it up from 3, so he's able to give us some good minutes. And now we're to the Slim Reaper...if he gets a little more consistent then lookout, 'cause we've got a ton of great parts on this team already.
And that SFA game...that was the 7th game of the season with a young team that lost a shitload of talent, points, and rebounds from last year. I don't like to lose, but I honestly believe that loss will end up being more valuable for this team than if we had pulled out the W. That was a hard earned lesson that will pay dividends down the road imo.
Damn, I'm pumped already, and can't wait to see our Blue Devils play Saturday.
Go Duke!
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