View Poll Results: Who was Man of the Match in Duke's season-opening 77-76 win over Belmont?

Voters
147. You may not vote on this poll
  • Seth Curry

    5 3.40%
  • Austin Rivers

    0 0%
  • Andre Dawkins

    4 2.72%
  • Mason Plumlee

    79 53.74%
  • Miles Plumlee

    3 2.04%
  • Ryan Kelly

    1 0.68%
  • Tyler Thornton

    55 37.41%
  • Quinn Cook

    0 0%
  • Michael Gbinije

    0 0%
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Results 21 to 35 of 35
  1. #21
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Maryland
    Quote Originally Posted by slower View Post
    Gotta go with Mason. Impressive showing, no silly mistakes of note. It looked like he had the instinct to jack up several threes, but checked himself - that, alone, was heartening! Good showing also by TT, our "designated winner." Heart of a lion. I think we lose without either of them coming up big. The final three was nice, but not very impressed with Dre overall. Miles didn't get much run once Mason got hot, but I'm sure he'll have his moments. The game was a stomach-churner, especially after blowing the 16-point lead. We're probably overrated at #6.
    I agree with everything but the overrated part. I loved what I saw from Mason and he got my vote as well. He played strong and controlled. I knew we were watching a different Mason right from the beginning when he made that nice strong move and finished with the reverse dunk. I love that he is finally using the hook shot effectively. After two years of me screaming "use the hook" at the TV I'm sure my wife appreciates it as well.

    As far as the overrated thing goes... I think it was more along the lines of Belmont was very underrated. Sure we had some sloppy moments and a lack of effort on D at times but those problems will be addressed very quickly. From what I saw of the UNC game, they didn't look like the #1 seed either. But we all know that isn't true. They are clearly going undefeated on their way to a NC!

  2. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by MCFinARL View Post


    I'm not sure I agree with this. It's true Dre did not have an outstanding game--but the shots he took were all good ones (possible exception--one drive to the basket where he got stripped or stuffed, as I recall--I was watching on tape late at might and can't remember perfectly now), many of which were in and out or otherwise just a little bit off. And his overall intensity and defensive effort were reasonably high throughout. While I might not call it "impressive," I wouldn't call it disappointing, either. I thought it was an okay performance, and if two or three of those close threes had hit, it would have looked like a very good performance.
    I watched it live, will go back and review it at some point. But aside from a three at the end of each half and that drive on the pass from Mason, I can't remember any outstanding contribution. What I DO remember is him standing around again and being a ball-handling liability. Listen, I LOVE Dre - love his shot, his swag (when he has it) and his personality - but let's stop all these RIDICULOUS comparisons to JJ that have been floating around all pre-season.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC

    Tyler Thonton

    I've got to say I thought Tyler Thornton brought some good things in this game. Most importantly defensively he was a beast. I have a feeling he is going to draw a number of technicals on opposing players because he is like a mosquito on defense. He just buzzes around and annoys the hell out of you. He made some heady plays and was an opportunistic scorer. I think that is good because it will force defenses to play him, especially if he continues to knock down his shots. He also had a very nice move late and hit a contested layup. I thought Duke played better in the half court on both defense and offense when he was in the game and I wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't starting or at the very least a consistent 6th man with Ryan Kelly.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Brevard

    Tyler....and Mason, a close second

    Tyler, he is going to be a "force" all year long. It's his time. Mason too. He is going to be an animal. The other guys will catch up, but last night, two guys did what they could to win.


    We need to work on stopping easy layups on both sides of the basket. There the "big boys" lacked in my opinion. Belmont seemed to do that at will.
    Last edited by dukepsy1963; 11-12-2011 at 11:16 AM. Reason: grammar

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Quote Originally Posted by slower View Post
    I watched it live, will go back and review it at some point. But aside from a three at the end of each half and that drive on the pass from Mason, I can't remember any outstanding contribution. What I DO remember is him standing around again and being a ball-handling liability. Listen, I LOVE Dre - love his shot, his swag (when he has it) and his personality - but let's stop all these RIDICULOUS comparisons to JJ that have been floating around all pre-season.
    Well, my starting point was that his game was not outstanding, so we are maybe not that far apart there--and I have not been making the JJ comparison, so I will let the people who do make that comparison address that.

    I do have a somewhat more positive read on Dre's overall performance yesterday than you do, though, so maybe we will just have to agree to disagree. While he was in standing in the corner some, part of that time he was wide open and signaling for the ball, but getting no notice from Seth/Austin. He did move some as well, at least while I was watching, and it never seemed to me that he was disengaged from the game mentally or emotionally. Overall, though, and interestingly, it did seem he was more assertive and intense on defense than on offense in this game. Still not the performance we would like to see from Dre, perhaps, but one he can build on.

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    NC
    I thought Mason was a consistently assertive presence throughout the game. There were a few stretches where Thornton was the key, and Rivers was fantastic in the first half. But Mason was the guy that gave us the most from start to finish.

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Fayetteville, NC
    I voted for Tyler. If he keeps playing like this, I'm sure we'll see the opposition issue fly swatters with Tyler picture on them to their fanbase. This is one pesky player who has a nose for the ball.

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Washington, DC
    I voted Tyler because his best moments came at such critical times. But I've got no problem with anyone who voted Mason.
    Quel est si drole de la paix, de l'amour, et de la comprehension?

  9. #29
    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Green View Post
    I'm off to study the box score, but I like to vote in the MOTM poll first and my vote went to Tyler Thornton.
    I like this approach. MOTM is an eye test, and that's why:

    Quote Originally Posted by rotogod00 View Post
    I'll take the guy who made the winning shot
    Dre wasn't hitting tonight, but unlike what we've seen before, he stayed aggressive, played good D and didn't disappear completely. He looked focused and ready to hit his next shot, like a shooter needs to be. I liked his demeanor after he hit the last 3; he was calm and focused.

    He's got the ability, so its all mental for him. If he can keep that focus and attitude, he's going to have lots of big games.

    Quote Originally Posted by CDu View Post
    I thought Mason was a consistently assertive presence throughout the game. There were a few stretches where Thornton was the key, and Rivers was fantastic in the first half. But Mason was the guy that gave us the most from start to finish.
    I generally agree with this. Mason played really well all game.

    I Liked Thornton's play and disruptiveness as well, but he's still got a ways to come. He's gonna play a lot though, and I'm sure he'll get better.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Brilliant move. I meant to select Mason and selected Miles instead. Good grief.

    Mason had a stellar game; he was everywhere. To paraphrase J-Will in the post-game, Duke needs that Mason to show up consistently for every game. My only gripe is that he dribbles too much. He makes me really nervous when he brings the ball down the court on a fast break. That, and when he's on the free throw line. Other than that, loved his effort against Belmont. Hope we get to say that a lot this year.

    I'd also like to give a shout-out to Tyler Thornton. Love, love, love his game. Any time he entered the game, the entire team picked it up a notch on defense. I'll call him MOTM 1b.

  11. #31
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    20 Minutes From The Heaven That Is Cameron Indoor
    Quote Originally Posted by mkline09 View Post
    I've got to say I thought Tyler Thornton brought some good things in this game. Most importantly defensively he was a beast. I have a feeling he is going to draw a number of technicals on opposing players because he is like a mosquito on defense. He just buzzes around and annoys the hell out of you. He made some heady plays and was an opportunistic scorer. I think that is good because it will force defenses to play him, especially if he continues to knock down his shots. He also had a very nice move late and hit a contested layup. I thought Duke played better in the half court on both defense and offense when he was in the game and I wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't starting or at the very least a consistent 6th man with Ryan Kelly.
    Thonton? Now that's a first!

    I am going to disagree on the choice of bug. Tyler is more like a gnat! I realize a gnat does not bite, they are everywhere and aggravate the heck out of you!

    Okay, enough silliness. I agree with you 100% about Tyler. He is just a tremendously great help defender. I think we need to track how many turnovers he forces and at the end of the year, look at what % of our forced TO's were created by Tyler. Part of it is hustle and desire, part of it is understanding Duke's defensive scheme's better than many others before him, and a big part of it is a great ability to read the play and anticipate where the ball is going.

    I love watching this kid play defense. Just a joy to watch.

  12. #32
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Quote Originally Posted by Newton_14 View Post
    Thonton? Now that's a first!

    I am going to disagree on the choice of bug. Tyler is more like a gnat! I realize a gnat does not bite, they are everywhere and aggravate the heck out of you!

    Okay, enough silliness. I agree with you 100% about Tyler. He is just a tremendously great help defender. I think we need to track how many turnovers he forces and at the end of the year, look at what % of our forced TO's were created by Tyler. Part of it is hustle and desire, part of it is understanding Duke's defensive scheme's better than many others before him, and a big part of it is a great ability to read the play and anticipate where the ball is going.

    I love watching this kid play defense. Just a joy to watch.
    I initially thought gnat too but thought hey it might draw some blood this year.

  13. #33
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Dallas
    Thorns draw blood. Maybe our gnat has thorns?

  14. #34
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Quote Originally Posted by basket1544 View Post
    Thorns draw blood. Maybe our gnat has thorns?
    Every Rose has its Thorns and perhaps Thornton is this team's rose.

  15. #35
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Quote Originally Posted by Newton_14 View Post
    Thonton? Now that's a first!

    I am going to disagree on the choice of bug. Tyler is more like a gnat! I realize a gnat does not bite, they are everywhere and aggravate the heck out of you!

    Okay, enough silliness. I agree with you 100% about Tyler. He is just a tremendously great help defender. I think we need to track how many turnovers he forces and at the end of the year, look at what % of our forced TO's were created by Tyler. Part of it is hustle and desire, part of it is understanding Duke's defensive scheme's better than many others before him, and a big part of it is a great ability to read the play and anticipate where the ball is going.

    I love watching this kid play defense. Just a joy to watch.
    I was surprised early in the year when coach K mentioned about how good a defensive player Tyler was, as my impression from last year was that he hustled a lot, had quick hands and generated some steals. It didn't appear to me that he was particularly strong at staying in front of the offensive player to prevent penetration. Others have made comments that he is very strong in help side but is not great one-on-one. My impression (small sample size and all and subjective) is that Tyler is doing a better job so far at preventing penetration and keeping his man in front of him. I hope I am correct and that this continues for Tyler, as well as Austin, Seth and Dre especially, as this has been one of my concerns with the loss of Kyrie, but moreso Kyle and Nolan from last year's team.

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