Am I the only person who is genuinely excited about next year's team?

[Kewlswim]

Hi,

Feel free to move if this is more appropriate somewhere else.

I think the team will be really exciting--a good set of veterans and rookies--with a slasher, shooters and a strong inside game. Our guards from last year will have another year under their belts. Coach K will have had another Olympic experience (he seems energized after these things). We will have come off a really bad NCAA tournament and though each team is different this team will have a chip on its shoulder. By the way, I don't consider losing to Arizona as we did a couple of years ago nearly as bad as losing to Lehigh in the first round in Greensboro this year. I also think the student body will be more behind the team this coming year because they will realize that they aren't guaranteed anything and that they should get behind the team. I can't wait. Heck it makes me want to get a graduate degree in some not so hard discipline so I can try out as a student manager and be there up close and personal for the glory. Then again, I think I want to stay home and my Labrador would miss me too much.

GO DUKE!

[theAlaskanBear]

Hi,

Feel free to move if this is more appropriate somewhere else.

I think the team will be really exciting--a good set of veterans and rookies--with a slasher, shooters and a strong inside game. Our guards from last year will have another year under their belts. Coach K will have had another Olympic experience (he seems energized after these things). We will have come off a really bad NCAA tournament and though each team is different this team will have a chip on its shoulder. By the way, I don't consider losing to Arizona as we did a couple of years ago nearly as bad as losing to Lehigh in the first round in Greensboro this year. I also think the student body will be more behind the team this coming year because they will realize that they aren't guaranteed anything and that they should get behind the team. I can't wait. Heck it makes me want to get a graduate degree in some not so hard discipline so I can try out as a student manager and be there up close and personal for the glory. Then again, I think I want to stay home and my Labrador would miss me too much.

GO DUKE!

Duke will be VERY good next year. We will have Alex Murphy and Sulaimon to bring some length to the floor. Barring injuries it will be the best season since the 2010 Championship. Boy are we spoiled! GOOOOOOOOOOO DUKE!

[1 24 90]

Duke will be VERY good next year. We will have Alex Murphy and Sulaimon to bring some length to the floor. Barring injuries it will be the best season since the 2010 Championship. Boy are we spoiled! GOOOOOOOOOOO DUKE!

Better than 32-5 in 2011 with an ACC Championship & Sweet Sixteen?

[UrinalCake]

I don't consider losing to Arizona as we did a couple of years ago nearly as bad as losing to Lehigh in the first round in Greensboro this year.

Considering the Lehigh loss was tied for the greatest upset in NCAA tournament history going by seeding, and based on the reputations of the programs some have called it the greatest upset EVER, I'd have to say that yes it was much worse than the Arizona loss.

Phew, now that we've gotten that out of the way, I'm also excited about next season. One of the main reasons is the four seniors. Once I separate myself from the immediate, unrealistic desire to win a National Championship every single year and instead see myself as a college basketball fan who enjoys watching players and teams develop, there's a lot of satisfaction in seeing guys complete their four-year journey. The team also has a lot of really good pieces to work with and I'll enjoy seeing how Coach K uses them together. They remind me of a mid-major team who might not have the most talent but benefits from having guys who have played together for a number of years. Of course, we also have a lot of talent. I think there's a really good camaraderie among the players, and as you said expectations should be tempered, at least until we start out the season 15-0 and climb to #3 in the rankings. Then everyone will be back to expecting a Final Four .

[nocilla]

I am also very excited. I think Murphy replacing Rivers is an upgrade in itself. Not that I expect Murphy to match Rivers talent wise, but just what it means for team dynamics. With Rivers we were forced to play small on the perimeter, while Murphy playing the SF role will bring us back to a more traditional lineup. It helps with team rebounding and team defense having a true SF. Then you add in the fact that everyone else has another year of experience and growth to add to their games. And then Sulaimon is added to the mix as well. We will have a very dynamic offense with a good post scorer in Mason, great shooters on the perimter, and a couple mid range guys in Kelly and Murphy. I am looking forward to another great season.

[jv001]

I am also very excited. I think Murphy replacing Rivers is an upgrade in itself. Not that I expect Murphy to match Rivers talent wise, but just what it means for team dynamics. With Rivers we were forced to play small on the perimeter, while Murphy playing the SF role will bring us back to a more traditional lineup. It helps with team rebounding and team defense having a true SF. Then you add in the fact that everyone else has another year of experience and growth to add to their games. And then Sulaimon is added to the mix as well. We will have a very dynamic offense with a good post scorer in Mason, great shooters on the perimter, and a couple mid range guys in Kelly and Murphy. I am looking forward to another great season.

Austin was not the reason we were small on the perimeter. In fact, Austin was 6"4" (SG) playing the point on offense. What made us small on the perimeter, was Tyler, Seth and Andre. I certainly hope we are not in that same situation this year. We have Alex and Sheed that bring more height and length to the perimeter. Marshall at 7"0 gives us more height off the bench. I look for Ryan and Mason to be in the starting rotation from the beginning. Our season will be good or not so good with how we play defense and that's where my main concerns come. Will we be a better defensive team? GoDuke!w

[nocilla]

Austin was not the reason we were small on the perimeter. In fact, Austin was 6"4" (SG) playing the point on offense. What made us small on the perimeter, was Tyler, Seth and Andre. I certainly hope we are not in that same situation this year. We have Alex and Sheed that bring more height and length to the perimeter. Marshall at 7"0 gives us more height off the bench. I look for Ryan and Mason to be in the starting rotation from the beginning. Our season will be good or not so good with how we play defense and that's where my main concerns come. Will we be a better defensive team? GoDuke!w

Well I think Austin did force us to play small because he played the same position as Curry, SG. Both were going to start because they were both very good. But neither of them are PGs and we needed someone to play PG so Thornton and Cook also had to start. That left us with a PG and 2 SG on the floor a lot. Initially, K wanted Curry to play the point so he wouldn't have to play another small guard but could play Dawkins or possibly Murphy before his concussion. Niether worked out so we replaced Dawkins with Thornton/Cook in the starting lineup. I realize that Dawkins was no defensive stalwart or great rebounder, so his extra inches didn't help much anyway. However, with Rivers gone and Murphy healthy, we can play a traditional lineup. Dawkins can remain the 6th man and bring offense off the bench from the 2 or 3 spot depending on the matchup. Sulaimon can come in for a defensive spark as well, so we have much better flexibility.

[jv001]

Well I think Austin did force us to play small because he played the same position as Curry, SG. Both were going to start because they were both very good. But neither of them are PGs and we needed someone to play PG so Thornton and Cook also had to start. That left us with a PG and 2 SG on the floor a lot. Initially, K wanted Curry to play the point so he wouldn't have to play another small guard but could play Dawkins or possibly Murphy before his concussion. Niether worked out so we replaced Dawkins with Thornton/Cook in the starting lineup. I realize that Dawkins was no defensive stalwart or great rebounder, so his extra inches didn't help much anyway. However, with Rivers gone and Murphy healthy, we can play a traditional lineup. Dawkins can remain the 6th man and bring offense off the bench from the 2 or 3 spot depending on the matchup. Sulaimon can come in for a defensive spark as well, so we have much better flexibility.

But it wasn't Austin's fault that Tyler, Seth and Quinn were not elite point guards(at least not yet). We tried Seth, Austin and Andre as our starting perimeter players. That left Quinn and Tyler being the help of the bench. But no one stepped up defensively and Coach K had to experiment for most of the year. Had Seth been a better ball handler a back court of Austin and Seth would have worked, imho. But he wasn't a good ball handler against good defensive teams. GoDuke!

[dukedoc]

Hi,

Feel free to move if this is more appropriate somewhere else.

I think the team will be really exciting--a good set of veterans and rookies--with a slasher, shooters and a strong inside game. Our guards from last year will have another year under their belts. Coach K will have had another Olympic experience (he seems energized after these things). We will have come off a really bad NCAA tournament and though each team is different this team will have a chip on its shoulder. By the way, I don't consider losing to Arizona as we did a couple of years ago nearly as bad as losing to Lehigh in the first round in Greensboro this year. I also think the student body will be more behind the team this coming year because they will realize that they aren't guaranteed anything and that they should get behind the team. I can't wait. Heck it makes me want to get a graduate degree in some not so hard discipline so I can try out as a student manager and be there up close and personal for the glory. Then again, I think I want to stay home and my Labrador would miss me too much.

GO DUKE!

I am very excited. There are many reasons. Our players will be a year older and wiser. Two great players will be coming off of a redshirt year. Fantastic freshman Sheed will be coming in. UNC will have fewer NBA lottery types and State will be quite a bit better, offering some tantalizing parity throughout the Triangle. Lots of reasons to be very excited. The most important reason though is that a group of young student athletes are going to give their hearts and souls for the sake of a common goal. Watching that next season, even if, God forbid, we have another Lehighesque ending, will make it worth it.

[DukeWarhead]

Hi,

Feel free to move if this is more appropriate somewhere else.

I think the team will be really exciting--a good set of veterans and rookies--with a slasher, shooters and a strong inside game. Our guards from last year will have another year under their belts. Coach K will have had another Olympic experience (he seems energized after these things). We will have come off a really bad NCAA tournament and though each team is different this team will have a chip on its shoulder. By the way, I don't consider losing to Arizona as we did a couple of years ago nearly as bad as losing to Lehigh in the first round in Greensboro this year. I also think the student body will be more behind the team this coming year because they will realize that they aren't guaranteed anything and that they should get behind the team. I can't wait. Heck it makes me want to get a graduate degree in some not so hard discipline so I can try out as a student manager and be there up close and personal for the glory. Then again, I think I want to stay home and my Labrador would miss me too much.

GO DUKE!

I would love to be really excited about next season, but like many folks on here, I am not sure what to expect of the team when it takes the floor next season. Will Alex come out gang-busters and be an offensive force? Will Andre have solved the random disappearing act? Can Mason carry the load? How much of a learning curve will Marshall have and how much can he contribute?
I'm an optomist, so I always think that Duke is going to live up to its potential. That explains my bewildered dissappointment when Duke sometimes falls short of what I automatically assume it is capable of each year. (i.e. a Final Four) Maybe we get the best case scenario (2010 - totally playing to potential and exceeding expectations) or worst case (2012 and 2007 - not always playing with confidence and no real leadership; failing to figure out the character of the team).
I hope Rasheed will be as good as I think he will be. Alex, too.
Regardless, as long as Duke plays hard, together (no attitude, no bickering), gives it their all on defense and has confidence in themselves, then I will cheer like a crazy man. I think they will, so yes, I guess I'm excited. But it's some seriously cautious optomism.

...and just beat UNC twice. That's all I really want...

[Lar77]

I'm looking forward next year to a number of things:


We'll get to Duke in a moment.

The ACC should be a better conference next year and not just Duke, UNC, and everyone else (not intended as an insult to FSU, which was a good team this year). State being stronger will make the ACC Tournament more enjoyable to watch. And it is doubtful UNC is winning any championships so we won't have to hear that drivel.

Getting to a new season will stop the talk about this past season. Really, aren't we tired of talking about Lehigh (with McCollom returning, will they be immune to "The Curse?")

Now for Duke:

Alex Murphy has been billed here as a Kyle Singler type of player. Tough act to follow, and I hope Alex has his own identity, but Singler always gave you a sense that you were in every game.

We see Marshall Plumlee with a year of strength building.

We see Rashad Sulaiman. Based on what we've heard, nuff said.

Mason stayed here rather than go pro, because presumably he did not feel ready. Maybe Duke will get better at getting him the ball and he will get better at finishing.

Ryan Kelly has improved every year and has proven to be a smart player and leader on the court. Is he a model Euro forward - stretch forward, whatever - we'll see. Dirk Nowitzki has a championship now that he learned how to maximize his talents.

Will our other guards continue to improve? Seth Curry was a better player last year than the year before; Quinn Cook was good at times, not good at others, but should be better with another year of health; Tyler Thornton has heart and comparisons have been drawn to Wojo, who made a big jump in his Junior year.

Josh Hairston would come in at times and pick the team up. Other times he was ineffective. When he was recruited, several on these boards said he was someone who would start to show his potential by Junior year.

Andre Dawkins has been at times exhilarating and at other times frustrating. This was the guy that boosted us towards the 2010 championship with two key shots. This was the guy who came up big against Michigan State. This has also been a guy who has done little at times. No matter what, this is a guy who with one shot can bring Cameron to a higher level of roar.

If you're a fan, why wouldn't you look forward to next year?

[scottdude8]

I personally see a lot of similarities between this year and the 2010 championship team—not that we'll be that good by any stretch, just that we can have a great year. Think about it—in 2009 we had a team that started off hot but faltered at the end. We had a lot of role players that were adjusting to their new roles as starters/stars (Nolan, Scheyer, the bigs) while a dominant scoring force that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the offense (G) dominated. Then that dominant offensive force left in a move that should've decimated us, but left us with a veteran returning team that coalesced into a winner. I could very easily see that happening this year, with Austin being G, Seth stepping up into a Scheyer-like role, and Ryan and Mason finally adapting to being "the" guys (much like Nolan and Kyle did).

I've been thinking this for a while. While we may not be explosive, I think we don't lose as much with Austin as people think, and it might actually be addition by subtraction. We'll have a team most likely starting at least 3 seniors with another coming off the bench, two more juniors in the rotation, and a guy in Murphy who could change the shape of the team. I'm optimistic.

[Li_Duke]

I'm excited. For 3-4 years, I've been waiting and speculating on what type of college players Mason, Ryan, Andre, and Curry will eventually develop into. This is it - their final year! We're finally going to know!

[Rich]

I personally see a lot of similarities between this year and the 2010 championship team—not that we'll be that good by any stretch, just that we can have a great year. Think about it—in 2009 we had a team that started off hot but faltered at the end. We had a lot of role players that were adjusting to their new roles as starters/stars (Nolan, Scheyer, the bigs) while a dominant scoring force that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the offense (G) dominated. Then that dominant offensive force left in a move that should've decimated us, but left us with a veteran returning team that coalesced into a winner. I could very easily see that happening this year, with Austin being G, Seth stepping up into a Scheyer-like role, and Ryan and Mason finally adapting to being "the" guys (much like Nolan and Kyle did).

Another similarity - the perceived "devestating" off-season loss of a player that was supposed to be an integral piece of the following year's team (Elliott Williams = Michael Gbinje). We can only hope the results are similar.

[sduke1986]

I 2nd that notion I am PUMPED!!!!! I think with this year of experience and some good depth the sky is the limit for this team. The big improvement will need to come defensivly of course, but I think we have a few guys ready to have potentially monster years. GO DUKE!!!!

[slower]

Another similarity - the perceived "devestating" off-season loss of a player that was supposed to be an integral piece of the following year's team (Elliott Williams = Michael Gbinje). We can only hope the results are similar.

Not all of us were looking for Gbinije to be "integral" anyway, based on what we saw this year. Similarly, we HOPE that Murphy is Singler-lite (don't tell me he'll be as good as Singler - I won't believe that until he proves it consistently) and that Rasheed is the real deal (restrained optimism on this). There's also hopeful optimism that Quinn makes the point guard "argument" a thing of the past.

Andre, Seth, Ryan and Mason COULD be great next year - or they might not make the leap. The upside is huge, however.

[OldPhiKap]

Andre, Seth, Ryan and Mason COULD be great next year - or they might not make the leap. The upside is huge, however.

Certainly true. Consider the following:

Of the last 17 seasons, we have had a number of great players graduate and had a number of transfers. In that period, despite all of the turnover, we have gotten a #1 seed 10 of those seasons; a #2 seed in 4 of those seasons; a #3 seed once; and a lower seed (but still made the tournament) in the other two.

We face this same issue almost every year. Much more often than not, the team reforms and we have a top-10-caliber team. Which gets you in the tourney, with a pretty good chance.

So I think you're exactly right -- the players may step up, they may not. But I would expect them all to play at a top level. We will be one of the more experienced -- and motivated -- teams in the country.

[slower]

So I think you're exactly right -- the players may step up, they may not. But I would expect them all to play at a top level.

Although, I think we kind of expected that THIS year, didn't we?

[OldPhiKap]

Although, I think we kind of expected that THIS year, didn't we?

Sure. Seth and Mason made third-team all ACC (with most ahead of them now gone). Ryan played very well this year, I thought. Dre had some hot games but needs to work on consistency. We were a #2 seed that,up until near the end was in the discussion of "the other #1 seed"

Have any of them reached their full potential? Not yet. That's why I agree with you that there is a huge potential upside. But at the end of the day, the kids and the coaches need to develop it. History suggests that K has gotten pretty good results.

[MChambers]

I think Duke has a strong chance to be very good next year. I'm sorry to see {g} leave, especially right after he got the perfect moniker, because I was excited about having more true forwards and a more flexible defense next year. Still, I really think Duke will be the best team in the ACC, although I think the Wolfies will be tough. Also excited to see if Old' Roy can win the NIT!