jimsumner
10-28-2009, 07:01 PM
Duke slowly is getting healthy. Selby is recovering from mono and knee problems, KJ is rehabbing her left shoulder. Selby has been cleared for practice, KJ has not.
Duke is the only team in the country playing Connecticut, Stanford, and Ohio State, the likely top three teams in the pre-season polls. McCallie enthusiastically endorsed the tough schedule. "You have to play the best to be the best. I'm not interested in being undefeated without a challenge."
McCallie hopes for a balanced attack, with lots of options. Wants to be a diffucult team to scout and prepare for. Expects to get points off defense. Says you can't order someone to be a go-to-scorer. "Balanced scoring is the way the game is meant to be played."
Despite losing Chante Black, Duke still expects its post players to touch the ball regularly. Bigs need to be more assertive in demanding the ball down low.
Still, look for more 1 in/four out sets. Duke will set more screens for its guards. Duke wants better spacing in order to create room for driving.
Lots of buzz about junior guard Jasmine Thomas, who is pre-season first-team All-ACC. Duke will look for ways to get the ball to her. Coach P describes Thomas as quicker, stronger, more confident, and doing a better job of involving her teammates. Duke will play her some at the 2, with either Keturah Jackson or Chelsea Hopkins handling the point.
Reducing turnovers is a priority. McCallie used the word "abhorrent." She thinks lack of focus is the problem. Simplify and make extra pass.
Joey Cheek is the vocal leader. She says that the main applicable lesson she learned this summer was the value of communication. Duke needs her to be a "dangerous" player.
Most improved player is Bridgette Mitchell, described by KJ as being more aggressive, confident, vocal." Bee says she is trying to convert her defensive aggressiveness into offensive aggressiveness.
Duke is the only team in the country playing Connecticut, Stanford, and Ohio State, the likely top three teams in the pre-season polls. McCallie enthusiastically endorsed the tough schedule. "You have to play the best to be the best. I'm not interested in being undefeated without a challenge."
McCallie hopes for a balanced attack, with lots of options. Wants to be a diffucult team to scout and prepare for. Expects to get points off defense. Says you can't order someone to be a go-to-scorer. "Balanced scoring is the way the game is meant to be played."
Despite losing Chante Black, Duke still expects its post players to touch the ball regularly. Bigs need to be more assertive in demanding the ball down low.
Still, look for more 1 in/four out sets. Duke will set more screens for its guards. Duke wants better spacing in order to create room for driving.
Lots of buzz about junior guard Jasmine Thomas, who is pre-season first-team All-ACC. Duke will look for ways to get the ball to her. Coach P describes Thomas as quicker, stronger, more confident, and doing a better job of involving her teammates. Duke will play her some at the 2, with either Keturah Jackson or Chelsea Hopkins handling the point.
Reducing turnovers is a priority. McCallie used the word "abhorrent." She thinks lack of focus is the problem. Simplify and make extra pass.
Joey Cheek is the vocal leader. She says that the main applicable lesson she learned this summer was the value of communication. Duke needs her to be a "dangerous" player.
Most improved player is Bridgette Mitchell, described by KJ as being more aggressive, confident, vocal." Bee says she is trying to convert her defensive aggressiveness into offensive aggressiveness.