Duke MBB vs. Michigan Post Game Thread

[mgtr]

I cannot add a whole lot to the prior posts, but I was happy to see McClure getting up to speed and contributing, both rebounds and points. I thought Zoubek showed some improvement, which is good, but still has a way to go. I will not be surprised if by midseason he starts instead of Thomas.
I was disappointed with our slow start (again) which is reminiscent of last year. Other teams also seem to be keying on Singler (I think), which may account for his lack of production (plus fouls). We are lucky to have Taylor King to go in there and push and shove.

[Saratoga2]

I think Duke looked a little sluggish today especially early on, presumably because of the layoff from the last game. We don't play a game until next Monday (12/17) vs Albany and then a quick turnaround vs Pitt that Thursday (12/20). After that the next game is Jan 6 vs Cornell.

That is 9 days from today until Albany
3 days later vs Pitt
Then 17 days off until the game vs Cornell
Thats 3 games in 31 days folks

I know Albany and Cornell are not even up to par with Michigan, but does anyone else see this as a potential problem after not looking good early on after a 7 day layoff from Davidson to Michigan??

I live a few miles from where Albany plays their home games. They are a scrappy team and will give you 40 minutes of effort. They recently were beaten by Siena and are not on a par with Duke, but they will give a good effort. I will report more before the game.

[RelativeWays]

Unfortunately I had all kinds of errands to run today so I was only able to listen to and watch most of the second half. Offensively, we seemed to be on target, firing on all cylinders, which honestly was to be expected. We seemed to lapse some defensively and just traded baskets for the first portion of the second half. I can't imagine Coach K was too happy about that. All in all, a good performance considering the week layoff.

[mehmattski]

or rather, the complete lack thereof. Thank God. I like that K kept it going tonight. It seemed like he tried to slow the game down by making more substitutions, and tinkering with lineups. This seemed to slow us down, but in a good way that was organic, rather than forced, like the weave.

Watching the game, I got the sense that K didn't go to the slow down despite being up 30 points because of the opponent, and being a bit miffed that they had fired Tommy. But, your explanation makes a bit more sense... going to different looks and using it is a tryout is a good way to go.

Still, later in the season there's going to be a situation, probably in a road game, when Duke is going to be up by 15 with 5 to go or 10 with 2 to go and absolutely need to go to a slow-down offense. This team has so far shown a number of different ways to execute the end-game, so there shouldn't be as much problem executing as last year's team did. There are no points for style in basketball, only for victories.

[Kilby]

1. Transition D may not have been what K wanted but overall Duke is playing great rotating D.
2. Duke wasn't running as much as I hoped and I was wondering if outlet passes were the problem. However, as soon as Nolan was in the game we were down the floor quicker attacking the basket. Even Demarcus and Henderson pushed the ball more than Paulus.
3. Zoubeck did make some quick outlet passes.
4. Paulus hit a floater down the lane. If he gets comfortable doing that he becomes even more dangerous.
5.Please let Lance grow his dreads back. I thought that he would excel once Duke was running more but it seems like he is still has not found his comfort zone.
6. King is comfortable and can play a strong 4.
7. Nolan Smith is my hero.

[CatfiveCane]

1. Transition D may not have been what K wanted but overall Duke is playing great rotating D.
2. Duke wasn't running as much as I hoped and I was wondering if outlet passes were the problem. However, as soon as Nolan was in the game we were down the floor quicker attacking the basket. Even Demarcus and Henderson pushed the ball more than Paulus.
3. Zoubeck did make some quick outlet passes.
4. Paulus hit a floater down the lane. If he gets comfortable doing that he becomes even more dangerous.
5.Please let Lance grow his dreads back. I thought that he would excel once Duke was running more but it seems like he is still has not found his comfort zone.
6. King is comfortable and can play a strong 4.
7. Nolan Smith is my hero.

This isn't scientific or anything and the season is still early, however:

Last year Duke averaged 53 shot attempts per game (33 games)
This year Duke is averaging just less than 61 shots per game (9 games)

Thus so far we are taking 8 extra shots per game this season compared to last season. And it's not just that we're missing more shots and getting rebounds: our FG % is higher this year than last (49% vs 46%). So I think Duke really is pushing the ball more this year. Of course it is early and we will have to see how things work out during the grinding ACC schedule.

[cbfx3]

I loved the tempo.. Nothing worse than watching a big lead evaporate while running stall ball

[Troublemaker]

Duke's 3-pt shooting percentage in our 9 games so far:

[57.1, 34.6, 26.3, 46.2, 40.0, 42.3, 45.8, 44.0, 40.7]

This is something I'm going to pay attention to during the season due to the notion that "one bad game from three" can be this team's downfall in the postseason (a theory that I both agree and disagree with), so it'll be good to know how often such a bad game from three will occur for Duke. So far, through nine games, we've only had one bad game. Now this game WAS against Princeton in our first game in Hawaii against a then unfamiliar shooting background, so maybe it carries significance. Also, 5 of the 9 games we've played were in the cozy confines of Cameron, and we've played some typical early-season creampuffs so far, so I think the better set of data will be to eventually look back upon all the non-home games this season to see how often a "bad game from three" occurs. I expect that later in the season, bad games will occur more often because the grind of the season will begin to wear down our shooters and because we'll be playing more road games at that point. It's something to track.

That said, one of the keys to the season and one of the ways we can improve, is to find ways to compensate for not having a consistent low-post option on offense. What are we missing by not having a Kevin Love or a Tyler Hansbrough? Those guys provide offensive consistency on a game-to-basis by taking and making close-in shots. That's the advantage of a good big man and why we desire one. They also tend to draw fouls and make their teammates better by drawing double-teams. Well, the dribble-drive can accomplish the same things. So far, Duke has used penetration well to draw defenders to kick for open threes and to draw fouls. What I would like to see is more attacking of the basket for close-in finishes or for mid-range shots and runners. That's why it was really nice to see Nolan have a big game today to help his confidence. He's someone on the team that can drive to score and as he becomes comfortable, Duke will become a better team and more consistent.

That's what I'm looking for in terms of improvement. If Duke can drive to finish and drive to make midrange shots, we don't really need a good offensive big man because we'll be accomplishing what they can accomplish, just through different means.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

When I saw that Taylor King hit two late 3-pointers, my heart rate increased and I punched the air with both fists. I LOVE that guy! By the time he leaves Duke, I won't be surprised if he's one of THE all-time fan favorites.

Watching Taylor King from my vantage point in Cameron tonight, I was again reminded of Bob Verga and Jack Marin. On defense he plays like a linebacker.

We all know Singler is likely to be one of the greats during his career at Duke; he's already showing us how he's going to accomplish it. Smith's game is getting better and better. The balance this team has with all sorts of combinations on the floor is fantastic! The two to watch? King and Henderson. Greatness in the making!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

No. Duke has scheduled gimmes after every down period. They know what they are doing.

Coach K did this intentionally (the long layoffs). It was something he wanted to try in the scheduling. We'll all see soon enough how it works out.

[Sixthman]

The next time someone tells you that Paulus lacks the athletic skills to play the point show them the tape of this game. The competition was inexperienced, but very fast and skilled. Paulus owned them on both ends of the court. He likely does lack the skills to finish the kind of plays we saw from Nolan Smith today, but he had 6 assists and no turnovers and all the speed he needed on defense. He seems to be getting better as the season progresses.

[Grey Devil]

Coach K did this intentionally (the long layoffs). It was something he wanted to try in the scheduling. We'll all see soon enough how it works out.

Oh, I don't think it will be soon enough. I don't know how the team's going to handle it but I know I'm going to have trouble with only 3 games in 31 days! Talk about withdrawal...

Grey Devil

[astoria26]

How solid was Paulus tonight? He had some great dishes, cutting into the lane and getting the defenders to bite, then sending great passes out to Nelson or King on the 3 point line for a trey. 6 assists, no turnovers!!

And this was definitely Nolan's breakout night! I love how each of the freshmen now have their signature game - Singler with his do-it-all toughness, King with his quick-release three's from all over the court, plus his bloodthirsty defending - and now Nolan, blowing people by with his quickness, and his HOPS!!!! Many times when he rose up for the shot I thought - is that Henderson?? And then I do a double-take - it's Nolan Smith! What a time to break out - when no one else really seemed to step up in the first 10 minutes of the ballgame. My hat's off to Nolan. And how deep is our bench?
<---------------------- this deep! ------------------------>

Also, I just posted my game blog - check it out! Thanks!

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/87099

[Cali-Duke]

Nolan had a great game as everyone said. But, is it just me or is anyone else a little worried that he had 0 assists. This isn't the only game where he has had few assists. I guess he might be involved in the touches that lead to the shot, but from watching the game, it seemed like he is more of a slasher than a point guard. It bothers me a little when Coach K's stance on position is that the only defined position is point guard. Thoughts?

[dukestheheat]

time off is necessary; our guys are college guys and they need time home or to study for exams; certainly, time off from playing does bring in the rust and we all very clearly saw that today early on but this is expected of all teams.

look at all the upsets that come down early on in each college basketball season (presumably due to teams just not coming together just yet)!

so no big deal with the rust and all that in terms of the final outcome of the game, but Nolan Smith was Duke's team defibrillator today and I just loved his play. I've been waiting for him to do what he did today: take it up a notch and motivate his team with his speed, defense and overall ability.

So yeah, any extended layoff presents a problem for ALL teams out there.

dth.

[dukestheheat]

cali-duke,

good pick up on his zero assists and i hadn't seen that, but, I thought that his passes were excellent and that he distributed well overall. his moves to the hoop were one-on-one and he just stunned the Cameron crowd and the TV audience with his athleticism to work those moves.

if he can score and spark the team the way he did today, i don't care if he ends up with zero assists just so we can get one more point on the scoreboard versus our opponent, especially the hated holes.

dth.

[dukelifer]

Nolan has been pressing a bit- perhaps looking for his own offense first. Today that offense came. It was a huge confidence boost. In early games and the BW game- he showed he could pass the ball. I think he has good instincts but he is not a classic point guard. The assists will come as he gets more comfortable out there. A few more games like today and we will be seeing a whole new Nolan. But most Freshman are up and down.

[jipops]

The only thing K expressed any dissatisfaction with in the post-game was the transition defense at several points during the game. Thay's what promoted the time out. K did not think Duke was communicating as well as it could in those situations. That was pretty much it. If you know K, you know that communication is a biggie.

He was very complimentary of Nolan. Said both Nolan and Taylor had their best week of practice this week. Said that Nolan is so conscientious, he was trying to do too much and was overthinking the game. This week they tried to simplify it to one word "attack." He attacked.

K noted the missed shots early and said that it probably should have been 60-40 at the half.

He also noted that it was a "grueling" week academically. Lots of papers due. He was glad Duke didn't have a midweek game.

He did sum up the game as a good but not great effort. I think he was a little perturbed about Mich shooting somewhere around 60% deep into the 2nd half. Transition D in the 2nd was his main gripe.

[Devilsfan]

Nolan is a big time basketball player, its beautiful to watch Gerald's fluidity and gracefulness, Jon does so many things right, DeMarcus is strong as hell, Kyle is always in the right spot, TK has a lightning quick release, Dave can contribute a lot this year, Paulus' best attribute is his competitivness, and we're all waiting and pulling for Lance to show up for 15- 20 minutes.

[Ben63]

The next time someone tells you that Paulus lacks the athletic skills to play the point show them the tape of this game. The competition was inexperienced, but very fast and skilled. Paulus owned them on both ends of the court. He likely does lack the skills to finish the kind of plays we saw from Nolan Smith today, but he had 6 assists and no turnovers and all the speed he needed on defense. He seems to be getting better as the season progresses.

This season has the potential to be Greg's best as a Devil. Freshman year he led the ACC in assists but it wasn't terribly difficult to feed the ball to JJ or Shelden Williams. Last year he was forced into more of a scoring role w/o JJ or SW. Nelson and McRoberts scored but towards the end of the season Greg had to score alot. This year Duke has more scorers (see much improved Henderson, Singler, King, and also Lance Thomas) and this will allow Greg to do what he does best, see the whole court and distribute the basketball to the scorers. He will still have his 3ball to keep defenses honest, but he won't have to use it as much this year. Expect to see his PPG go down but assists and assists to turnover ratio shoot up. Expects big things from Greg Paulus this season.