The Next Five Games....

[dukiejay]

I'll be the first to admit I was incredibly discouraged last week at this time, and even more so on Saturday at halftime against Wake Forest. While I've come around some, it's still with cautious optimism.

So now we look at the upcoming schedule, particularly the next five games, four of which are at home. They are....

2/4 vs. Pittsburgh
2/9 vs. UNC
2/11 vs. Clemson
2/15 @ Virginia
2/18 vs. Wake Forest

This is a monumental stretch because our final four conference games go @ Syracuse, @ Miami, home vs. Florida State, and @ UNC. That's going to be brutal.

In reality, this upcoming stretch is our easiest in conference play all season....and I use that term lightly. If we still wish to become a top two or three seed in the NCCAT it starts on Saturday. I see almost no way we can afford to go anything less than 4-1 in this upcoming stretch for that too happen.

The kids need to put their big-boy pants on now and go on a little run.

 

[Duke It Out]

I honestly think at Va could be the only slip up. I just hope Duke didn't fight back like they have not to keep it going. If this team really gets going, every game is more than winnable.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

Yes, I think this could be the stretch that defines how good our team can be. We need to really win all the home games. I would love to be 5-0, or 4-1, but at this point, I could live with 3-2, but anything else would be a disappointment. If Duke is going to get this thing together now is the time to build on our little momentum with 2 road victories.

Oh, and we really do need to spank the Heels...'cause, well, they're the Heels

OFC

 

[dbav]

I have us winning out. 5-0 and beyond.

 

[germantondevil]

This stretch can be a huge building block for the rest of the season. Gain some confidence and momentum and I believe Duke can steal a few of the remaining road games. Hopefully we enter the Dance playing our best ball of the year because Duke certainly hasn't peaked yet.

 

[DukeCE2006]

I'm thinking 4-1 is definitely doable, this team looks to be playing more together. The Wake comeback was a huge momentum builder. With Coach K coming back soon, that should also give us a boost.

 

[crazyduke3]

Boy it's nice to come out of those two quick road games with wins heading into 3 straight at home. Cannot take Pitt lightly I don't care how they've played

 

[TRU CANE]

4-1 in the mind

5-0 in the heart

 

[QC Dukie]

I honestly don't see unx beating us.

OFC

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Any idea or mentions of when K is coming back?

 

[dukehokie]

Learning how to win is sometimes just as important as learning X's & O's. This team looks like it is starting to learn how to win games. I think 4-1 in that stretch is doable, but it's going to take work and buying in.

 

[Duke It Out]

Any idea or mentions of when K is coming back?

He has to hold himself until the UNC game now, or at least I hope he does. Coming back against Pitt would just be wasting the added emotion and electricity it will add to the environment the night he does come back.

 

[MikeD2891]

Coach K needs to keep the ban going until end of the season and onto post-season through the NCAAT.

 

[DukeDenver]

I feel good about this. Hopefully we win all 5. Something clicked with Grayson.

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

I have us winning out. 5-0 and beyond.

Yep! For the 1st time this season, we have shown some typical Duke toughness!! We about to go on a ride my friends, hold on tight!

 

[Smythe13]

I feel good about this. Hopefully we win all 5. Something clicked with Grayson.

I think the season for Grayson and Duke turned when he hit the 3 after ND was within 1 point, 63-62, and then he hit a 17 footer and boom Duke was up 6. He looked confident and so did the team. They are learning to play together and players have roles. Tatum going to the cup is the NBA Tatum. The fade away jumper is the high school Tatum.

 

[DukeDenver]

I think the season for Grayson and Duke turned when he hit the 3 after ND was within 1 point, 63-62, and then he hit a 17 footer and boom Duke was up 6. He looked confident and so did the team. They are learning to play together and players have roles. Tatum going to the cup is the NBA Tatum. The fade away jumper is the high school Tatum.

I got the same feeling when I saw Grayson step up and nail those two buckets. Folks may forget that he also had a huge three just before Luke hit the game winner against Wake. When we made our run in 2015, Tyus and Justise always seemed to be there when a big bucket was needed. We're in good hands with Luke and Grayson. Those two can be closers if the team can keep things close. When we lost to Kansas, we were missing that killer instinct. UNC will be a great test of this newfound confidence. Berry and Jackson will be bringing their A games.

 

[Mac9192]

I believe the boys are finally getting it, and after Pitt gave the Tar Holes all they wanted, think Duke will be ready and the run starts. I predict a team that looks to be having fun, and when you have fun, you win

 

[dukephysics]

I hope we are seeing a team that struggled, said enough is enough, and is now clicking and ready to make a nice run.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Let's not forget, even though we are young, we have 3 starters who know what it takes to become national champions. That will go a long way for this talented team in March

 

[Thinkpositivepc2]

For the longest time (up to about 2 games ago) each and every player was struggling to find their "Role" in this team. The whole team builds off how Grayson and Luke are playing. Those two are starting to play with fire and also together... they are deadly together. Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson understand their roles as silent leaders on court and vocal leaders during timeouts/deadballs. Giles is finally understanding his role is to be the intensity leader, snatching high rebounds, tough plays off the ball. Finally...Jayson... I have been critical of him late but I finally think he found what he is best at, driving to the damn basket. Not many people in college can guard him when he drives to the basket. He is a confidence guy, he loves knowing he can bully someone and now he has found his way.

 

[AlanInNJ]

5-0 is possible, 4-1 may be more realistic, but either way, I get the feeling that after these 5 games we are in the top 3 in the ACC and in position for a good seed in the ACC and NCAA's when it's all said and done. Sure would be nice to win the ACC tourney after a long drought.

I agree that Luke and Grayson have seemed locked in recently. As much as it sucked that Amile and Luke fouled out relatively early at ND it was encouraging and refreshing to see them on the bench clearly engaged and invested in the game and the team.

Go Duke!

Alan

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

we cant let a 3rd scorer from Pitt go off like the Cameron kid last night....young and artis are a dynamic duo, but we cant let anyone else have a career night

 

[dukiejay]

I think it says a lot about how tough this conference is, that last night a 1-7 Pitt team can go into the Dean Dome and take the conference leaders down to the wire. If you sleep on any one team this season you're in trouble. Duke cannot be looking ahead to UNC when Pitt comes to town Saturday....because if they do Pitt will win.

 

[skysdad]

Just need to take it one game at a time. Really this team hasn't had a chance to fully jell because of injuries, the Allen distraction and Coach K's absence. Although Coach K is still out, injuries still there and Grayson still having to deal with adversity we are showing signs of being the team we thought we were in preseason. I still have all the confidence that we can win it all. We as a fan base need to try to stay on an even level and not get so emotionally high or low after a win or loss. We're gonna make the tournament . We make the tournament we can win the tournament even if we are lower seeded than we are used too. I will say this if we are a lower seeded team there's gonna be a ot of high seeded teams that will not want to deal with us in the second or third round. OFC

 

[LetsGoDukies]

It's amazing how quick things can change. After the NC State loss and the first half of Wake I felt like just making the tournament was going to be a challenge. After the 2nd half of Wake and the ND win I feel like we are going to be contenders. I'll feel good if we can go 4-1 over the next 5 games but dang 5-0 would be absolutely great! I'm just glad to be excited for Duke basketball again and not depressed lol!

 

[nets on nets on nets]

We're only going to lose 1 game the rest of the way until the NCAA's.
We're going to get the 2 seed in Gonzaga's West region (I know West hasn't been the best route for us) and the whole country is going to be outraged at our "favorable" draw, and I'm gonna enjoy every minute of it.

 

[Showenuff]

Jwill33......

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

I don't see many more losses ahead! Key being, Grayson is feeling it again! Keep bringing the intensity, things will be good!!

 

[tripleb71]

I'm starting to feel much better about this team. A win at Pitt and then taking down the holes puts us right back in the thick of the ACC.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

We beat the holes at home, two teams going different directions will be the talk! Weve got the bigs to bang this year, and certainly the two deadly deep ball threats. Tatum >>> Jackson. Feel great about the match ups

 

[Dukesince90]

I like the direction we're headed. If we beat UNX, I think we will win the next 4. The way Grayson is now shooting and with Luke, they're going to have a hard time guarding them. If we can keep them of the offensive boards, we will win this game. Got to beat Pitt first.

 

[sheyduke]

I think I'm the only fan bothered by Pitt, lol.

They are built just like this Duke team. No traditional pg or big man. They just took UNC to the wire at the Dome.

We are at Pitt and I just see the game being close and Pitt is on an eight game loosing streak and their losses have only been by one or two points.

Duke will need their bigs against UNC. They go four deep at the pf and C spot and I like Tatum on Jackson freeing up Luke and Grayson. I see Jones on Barry for most of the game.

I hope Duke wins out.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

I COMPLETELY understand we can't take ANY game for granted, as a fan it's always hard to not start looking at that game tho. I just absolutely live for that day

 

[timo0402]

The game is at Duke Shey. And I wouldn't take them lightly either. We need to come out aggressive and confident from the jump.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I think I'm the only fan bothered by Pitt, lol.

They are built just like this Duke team. No traditional pg or big man. They just took UNC to the wire at the Dome.

We are at Pitt and I just see the game being close and Pitt is on an eight game loosing streak and their losses have only been by one or two points.

Duke will need their bigs against UNC. They go four deep at the pf and C spot and I like Tatum on Jackson freeing up Luke and Grayson. I see Jones on Barry for most of the game.

I hope Duke wins out.

The game will be played 481 miles south of Pittsburgh....

 

[Mac9192]

Well if Pitt shoots the 3 like they did against the Holes, it will be a tough game

 

[dukehokie]

Let's not forget, even though we are young, we have 3 starters who know what it takes to become national champions. That will go a long way for this talented team in March

In the current landscape of college basketball, it's crazy to think that you can have 3 guys who played key roles in a national championship on the same roster 2 years removed from the actual title game.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

^ something not often mentioned, but something that makes me feel really good moving ahead to pressure packed games

 

[skysdad]

The game is at Duke Shey. And I wouldn't take them lightly either. We need to come out aggressive and confident from the jump.

Take no team lightly. OFC