MBB: Duke v. Virginia Tech (ACCT) Pre-Game and In-Game Thread

[pfrduke]

Let's go Devils!

[jipops]

Does VT employ a press? It may be even tougher to generate offense tomorrow. I'm guessing we put Singler on Delaney again.

[diveonthefloor]

Seth will get 35 minutes at the point, but I think we'll see some of Kyle bringing the ball up.

Seth can handle this role. Andre should be juiced for this game. He knows that he'll be key in this game. Fully expect him to step to the plate.

[hurley1]

Seth will get 35 minutes at the point, but I think we'll see some of Kyle bringing the ball up.

Seth can handle this role. Andre should be juiced for this game. He knows that he'll be key in this game. Fully expect him to step to the plate.

i would love to see that....if we have curry,singler, 2 plumlees and dawkins on the court, we can beat them....if dawkins heats up really hot, we will blow them out and run them to death...

[VaDukie]

I know we're all concerned about Nolan, and for good reason, but I'm very confident tomorrow with or without him.

In addition to the benefit of playing a team facing their 3rd game in 3 days, VT played 6 guys tonight. Not 6 in double figure minutes. Just 6. They had 3 guys end the game with 4 fouls. They have nothing left in the tank.

This ain't Blacksburg on Gameday. We're winning by 10+.

[VaDukie]

PS I love Seth's opportunity for redemption tomorrow.

[Kedsy]

Well, it's a good thing we have backcourt depth. If Nolan doesn't play, I assume the starting lineup will be MP1, MP2, Kyle, Seth, and Andre. A lot of offensive firepower but (with all due respect to Seth's fine showing tonight from the PG spot) nobody running the show to get the ball to our offensive threats. Presumably Ryan is first off the bench, followed by Tyler, and we run a 7 man rotation to VPI's 6 man rotation.

If Tyler is in the game along with the MPs, Kyle, and either Seth or Andre, our offense would be somewhat lacking. So for the first time this year I'll say I expect to go small a lot, at least when Tyler is in the game. When the backcourt is Seth and Andre, as it will be for most of the game (if Nolan is out), I think we'll go big.

Hopefully Nolan will be OK and this post will be moot.

[heyman25]

I know we're all concerned about Nolan, and for good reason, but I'm very confident tomorrow with or without him.

In addition to the benefit of playing a team facing their 3rd game in 3 days, VT played 6 guys tonight. Not 6 in double figure minutes. Just 6. They had 3 guys end the game with 4 fouls. They have nothing left in the tank.

This ain't Blacksburg on Gameday. We're winning by 10+.

I also feel good about our next game. We can play better than the Maryland game. We need to tighten up on defense. We need much better passing. We can crash the boards even better. I just hope we can stay away from foul trouble. We gave away a lot of missed free throws to Maryland. Despite VPI's 6 guys, they will still be amped.Don't bail out missed shots by fouling.Keep Tech off the foul line. It stops the clock and gives their 6 guys rest.We want payback, but we can get it by playing our game.

[dukeimac]

Well, playing 3 games in 3 nights is not an issue these days. UConn has played 4 games in 4 nights and is going for thier 5th game in 5 nights.

The key for Duke, NO MORE 3's. Kyle was 0-4. He took two in a row and was wide open on both. Nolan was off too. Not a time for him to go cold from the outside plus his injury is a concern. They might be able to get past VT without him but no way they get past UNC without him.

The good from last nights game might be that Mason and Miles are rising to the top. We will see how they play tonight. And Duke got some real nice play from others like Kelly and Seth with Andre sprinkled in. Duke needs that the rest of thw way.

Biggest key, Seth needs to get better on defense. If he can't stop Marshall, Tyler will have to play a lot and that takes away a scorer.

[Bob Green]

The key for Duke, NO MORE 3's.

Andre Dawkins was 2-5 on 3s with one of his misses halfway down before it popped out of the basket. Forty percent success which could have been 60% is pretty darn good so I can't agree with "no more 3s" but I do agree we need to make the extra pass for a better shot rather than attempt an early 3-pointer. We did a great job last night moving the ball around. Our offense looked good.

[hurley1]

Andre Dawkins was 2-5 on 3s with one of his misses halfway down before it popped out of the basket. Forty percent success which could have been 60% is pretty darn good so I can't agree with "no more 3s" but I do agree we need to make the extra pass for a better shot rather than attempt an early 3-pointer. We did a great job last night moving the ball around. Our offense looked good.

i absolutely agree...i would start dawkins and leave him in there and let him get into the flow of the game....dawkins is the best 3 point shooter on the team when he is on....

[PumpkinFunk]

If you're going to be in Greensboro, be loud. The Duke fans were quieter than the Maryland fans, and with Carolina fans likely to be sitting, waiting for VT to take a lead and cheer against us, the crowd noise will be especially important.

As for the actual game, I worry if Nolan is out. While we have the ability to get them in foul trouble and tire them out with a fast pace, we have to be able to shut down Delaney and absolutely need to shut down Allen/Green better than we did 2 weeks ago. If we get any of those 3 into foul trouble, things get a tiny bit easier since Greenberg has majorly shortened his rotation in this tournament. This isn't an unfavorable matchup for us on paper, but the question here is motivation and mindset. As with 2 weeks ago, Seth and the Hokies are sure that yesterday's win got them into the tournament. Does that mean that they don't play hard and they let this off the hook? Likewise, without Nolan (which I would say is fairly likely... I doubt that Coach K will let him play much, if at all, today if he's not near-100%) can we get into the right mindset? He's our leader.

With Nolan, we shouldn't have much trouble. If he's out, then I'm not so sure that we can or will win. I will say that last night does encourage me, as Nolan had a relatively bad game and the rest of the team played amazingly well.

[dukeimac]

Andre Dawkins was 2-5 on 3s with one of his misses halfway down before it popped out of the basket. Forty percent success which could have been 60% is pretty darn good so I can't agree with "no more 3s" but I do agree we need to make the extra pass for a better shot rather than attempt an early 3-pointer. We did a great job last night moving the ball around. Our offense looked good.

First, I never mentioned Andre, he was respectable 2-5. But do you realize Duke was 3 of 15? Kyle is about 16 for 100 in the last 16 or so games. Nolan was not very good either in the UNC game and last night he was 0-4.

Next, make an extra pass? Every shot Kyle took from 3 last night he was wide open. I'm not sure looking for someone to pass to is the option, more of take it to the basket. The guy had 29 points and none from 3 land, that tells me his game is going to the hole and not shoting the 3's.

Seth had a nice night, 11 points. But he was 3-11, 0-1 from 3 land.

These guys need to take it to the basket and get the easy shots or foul shots. Duke doesn't need the 3 if they take it to the basket and play good defense. They need to play with a lot of intensity like they did last night when Nolan went down.

Live by the 3 die by the 3, we have seen Duke go through that before and ask ND, they died by the 3 last night against 'ville.

[Bob Green]

The key for Duke, NO MORE 3's.

First, I never mentioned Andre...

These two post are contradictory as Dawkins plays for Duke. Therefore when you say "NO MORE 3's" you imply Dawkins shouldn't attempt 3-point shots.

We will have to agree to disagree here. But I guarantee Duke will attempt some 3-pointers today against Virginia Tech.

[Kedsy]

First, I never mentioned Andre, he was respectable 2-5. But do you realize Duke was 3 of 15? Kyle is about 16 for 100 in the last 16 or so games. Nolan was not very good either in the UNC game and last night he was 0-4.

Next, make an extra pass? Every shot Kyle took from 3 last night he was wide open. I'm not sure looking for someone to pass to is the option, more of take it to the basket. The guy had 29 points and none from 3 land, that tells me his game is going to the hole and not shoting the 3's.

Seth had a nice night, 11 points. But he was 3-11, 0-1 from 3 land.

These guys need to take it to the basket and get the easy shots or foul shots. Duke doesn't need the 3 if they take it to the basket and play good defense. They need to play with a lot of intensity like they did last night when Nolan went down.

Live by the 3 die by the 3, we have seen Duke go through that before and ask ND, they died by the 3 last night against 'ville.

Well, I understand what you're saying, but it's obvious the coaching staff doesn't agree with you. Duke will continue taking open threes when we get them, and that includes Kyle. Personally, I think that's a good thing, but whether you agree or not, we're all going to have to just live with it.

[dukeimac]

Here is what I'm talking about...

Kyle
All 32 games 15-174 or 32.8%
Last 16 games 17-75 or 22.7%
Last 7 games 2-23 or 8.7%
Last 2 games 0-9 or 0.0%

Team
All 32 games 258-687 or 37.6%
Last 16 games 108-327 or 33.0%
Last 7 games 39-128 or 30.5%
Last 2 games 9-42 or 21.4%

When Duke plays a UNC 30% isn't bad unless you take 20+ 3's becasue that is 6 of 20.

Losses to VT and UNC Duke was 10 of 47.

This is highlighted by the fact that Duke does not do a good job with offense rebounding, about middle of the pack.

[NSDukeFan]

First, I never mentioned Andre, he was respectable 2-5. But do you realize Duke was 3 of 15? Kyle is about 16 for 100 in the last 16 or so games. Nolan was not very good either in the UNC game and last night he was 0-4.

Next, make an extra pass? Every shot Kyle took from 3 last night he was wide open. I'm not sure looking for someone to pass to is the option, more of take it to the basket. The guy had 29 points and none from 3 land, that tells me his game is going to the hole and not shoting the 3's.

Seth had a nice night, 11 points. But he was 3-11, 0-1 from 3 land.

These guys need to take it to the basket and get the easy shots or foul shots. Duke doesn't need the 3 if they take it to the basket and play good defense. They need to play with a lot of intensity like they did last night when Nolan went down.

Live by the 3 die by the 3, we have seen Duke go through that before and ask ND, they died by the 3 last night against 'ville.

ND, who has won 12 of 14 and lost in OT to #14 ranked Louisville will likely not change their extremely efficient offense (Pomeroy rates them 3rd in the country) because they may have missed some shots against a good team.

Yes, if a team misses a whole bunch of threes, they may lose, but overall the 3-point shot is a very efficient way to score points and most (if not all) of the top offenses, use it. I strongly disagree that Duke doesn't need the 3. Duke's strength is its perimeter and that includes some great 3-point shooters, though some have struggled lately. I don't think Duke is going to win all of its games by ignoring its very good 3-point shooters. I can agree that the team does need a balance of interior and exterior passing and scoring to play its best.

I was also very impressed with Seth last night and thought he did an outstanding job taking more control of the offense once Nolan went out.

Here is what I'm talking about...

Kyle
All 32 games 15-174 or 32.8%
Last 16 games 17-75 or 22.7%
Last 7 games 2-23 or 8.7%
Last 2 games 0-9 or 0.0%

Team
All 32 games 258-687 or 37.6%
Last 16 games 108-327 or 33.0%
Last 7 games 39-128 or 30.5%
Last 2 games 9-42 or 21.4%

When Duke plays a UNC 30% isn't bad unless you take 20+ 3's becasue that is 6 of 20.

Losses to VT and UNC Duke was 10 of 47.

This is highlighted by the fact that Duke does not do a good job with offense rebounding, about middle of the pack.

So, what you are talking about is that Kyle hasn't shot well from 3-point land lately and Duke doesn't shoot well when it loses? I agree completely.
Just as a reminder, 33% 3 point shooting corresponds to 50% effective field goal % and 30% corresponds to 45%.
I hope Duke continues to use its very good perimeter players to get good shots and that the team continues to use the 3-point shot as an effective weapon even if the team hasn't shot as well recently as they have at other times.

[DukeBlueHeart4]

1. We shouldn't just assume this is a win. VT has proven how pesky they can be if given the proper motivation.

2. I hope Nolan Smith is not only better but comes back ready ready to rain on VT. I also hope he doesn't do anything during this game to aggravate his toe and make it worse.

3. How will Seth handle this game? He looked fantastic after Nolan left during the MD game but can he keep that up, especially against this team? He's gotta be looking for some redemption after the visit to VT.


An afterthought: Is there anywhere I can stream the game online? I will be at my sister's house and she doesn't even own a tv...crazy hippie...

[HorvathsGhost]

www.theacc.com/live works great

[DukeBlueHeart4]

www.theacc.com/live works great

Thanks!