Summer breakdown of the Duke Basketball Players

[watzone]

Needless to say there is a lot of excitment going into the coming season. Severaal of our players participated in summer events and here is a breakdown of what we saw during the off season. Many of you had views as well, so feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

http://bluedevilnation.net/2010/08/breaking-down-the-off-season-for-duke-basketball-players/

[Kedsy]

Needless to say there is a lot of excitment going into the coming season. Severaal of our players participated in summer events and here is a breakdown of what we saw during the off season. Many of you had views as well, so feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

http://bluedevilnation.net/2010/08/breaking-down-the-off-season-for-duke-basketball-players/

Nice analysis, Mark. I'm happy to hear Andre has improved his defensive footwork and a bit concerned that the Plumlees didn't work so much on theirs. Sounds like Josh may not get the 10+ mpg I was expecting, but I suppose you never know. Still, if Ryan has improved as much as you say, we should have one of the best 1 through 8 that Duke has seen in a long time.

With Ryan being 6'11", 235, do you think he'll be strong enough to log significant minutes at the 5 defensively?

[pfrduke]

With Ryan being 6'11", 235, do you think he'll be strong enough to log significant minutes at the 5 defensively?

Part of this depends on matchups, but I'd say yes. For one thing, we're not playing a lot of big, bruising, back-to-the-basket centers this season.* Kelly's size alone will create mismatches, and he showed himself to be pretty adept at blocking shots last season, even in limited minutes. If he can master positioning on the defensive blocks, he ought to hold up well against most college post players.

*Who is the best center we'll face this season? Robert Sacre/Curtis Kelly in the second Kansas City game? Maybe Michael Dunigan of Oregon? Tyler Zeller? Reggie Johnson? The list is not exactly imposing...

[watzone]

Nice analysis, Mark. I'm happy to hear Andre has improved his defensive footwork and a bit concerned that the Plumlees didn't work so much on theirs. Sounds like Josh may not get the 10+ mpg I was expecting, but I suppose you never know. Still, if Ryan has improved as much as you say, we should have one of the best 1 through 8 that Duke has seen in a long time.

With Ryan being 6'11", 235, do you think he'll be strong enough to log significant minutes at the 5 defensively?

I'm not too concerned with the Plums and feel they'll do fine as they gain on court experience. Josh started slow but ended up doing well down the stretch. Keep in mind he went up against a lot of vets in that first game, including NBA types. Ryan will earn more minutes this season with his versatility. As for the 5, he can play it but it is not his calling and Duke wants him to float outside a bit ala Singler.

[whereinthehellami]

Thanks Watzone. Its always good to get reports on the players during the summer.

[watzone]

Part of this depends on matchups, but I'd say yes. For one thing, we're not playing a lot of big, bruising, back-to-the-basket centers this season.* Kelly's size alone will create mismatches, and he showed himself to be pretty adept at blocking shots last season, even in limited minutes. If he can master positioning on the defensive blocks, he ought to hold up well against most college post players.

*Who is the best center we'll face this season? Robert Sacre/Curtis Kelly in the second Kansas City game? Maybe Michael Dunigan of Oregon? Tyler Zeller? Reggie Johnson? The list is not exactly imposing...

Great point about centers and a reason I think the Plums will be fine. This is a really weak year in the paint for many schools out there and while Duke has just five [Singler, Plums, Kelly, Josh] real down low types, that should be more than enough.

[ACCBBallFan]

Part of this depends on matchups, but I'd say yes. For one thing, we're not playing a lot of big, bruising, back-to-the-basket centers this season.* Kelly's size alone will create mismatches, and he showed himself to be pretty adept at blocking shots last season, even in limited minutes. If he can master positioning on the defensive blocks, he ought to hold up well against most college post players.

*Who is the best center we'll face this season? Robert Sacre/Curtis Kelly in the second Kansas City game? Maybe Michael Dunigan of Oregon? Tyler Zeller? Reggie Johnson? The list is not exactly imposing...

You left off a couple Jordan Williams and Tracy Smith (assuming rumors about academic ineligibility are wrong, or he is eligible 2nd semester), perhaps Josh Southern are also guys Miles has to match up with more.

Ryan Kelly at 6'11" 235 is about an average sized ACC center this year

Tracy Smith NC St 6' 08" 247
Tyler Zeller UNC 7' 00" 240
Jordan Williams MD 6' 10" 260
Josh Southern BC 6' 10" 250
Mason Plumlee Duke 6' 10" 235
Jerai Grant Clemson 6' 08" 220
Victor Davila VaT 6' 08" 245
Justin Knox UNC 6' 09" 240
Ty Walker WF 7' 00" 220
Miles Plumlee Duke 6' 10" 245
James Johnson UVA 6' 09" 212
Reggie Johnson Miami 6' 10" 295
Xavier Gibson FSU 6' 11" 240
Jon Kreft FSU 7' 00" 240
Assane Sene UVA 7' 00" 234
Catalin Baciu Clemson 7' 02" 245
Brad Sheehan GaT 7' 00" 235
Jordan Vandenberg NC St 7' 00" 230
Carson Desrosiers WF 6' 10" 210
John Brandenburg UVA 6' 11" 240
Cadarian Raines VaT 6' 06" 210 if Allan Chaney VaT 6' 09" 235 cannot play for Seth Greenberg this year

[phaedrus]

Interesting to hear that Miles has less than 1% body fat. :cool:

[DevilDan]

Great point about centers and a reason I think the Plums will be fine. This is a really weak year in the paint for many schools out there and while Duke has just five [Singler, Plums, Kelly, Josh] real down low types, that should be more than enough.


It was great to read the analysis of our guys from summer league observers. I also think our frontcourt is in great shape with the five player rotation WATZONE lists. Looking into my crystal ball at this point ( haaaa ), I see Miles and Ryan emerging to join Kyle in the frontcourt, with Kyrie and Nolan manning the perimeter out of the gate.

If you figure that Coach K will go "BIG", then the frontcourt will look like the above, with some Josh thrown in. So, what about Mason? I think HE is the hardest player to size up on our roster... he can board, pass the ball, and pull off at least one signature move every game or two. But can he score the ball, defend, and give us the consistency we are looking for ?? Or, will Andre move ahead of him in the rotation, at the other (so-called) "4" ? Right now my gut feeling is, Mason continues to be a complimentary player, until he gets the same fire burning in his stomach that RYAN KELLY has ... !

If he gets that, those PRACTICES just a few weeks down the road are going to be BRUTAL. And the competition between all our 6'4" and under guys will probably equal that .........

WOW, I cannot wait ! Oh yeah... GO DUKE ( as if ! )

[Kedsy]

I know this is really Watzone's thread, and I don't know whether Airowe has posted it in another thread that I couldn't find (and I apologize if he has), but I got this link from Airowe's twitter: http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/08/19/dukes-singler-smith-learn-from-team-usa/

It's a good read, but two quotes stood out for me:


Wright recruited Irving to Villanova, so he knows just exactly what Duke’s backcourt will look like. “Scary, scary, because both of them can play both spots,” Wright said. “They’re guards. They’re not point guards or two guards. They can bring it up, they can get you in the offense, and they can create for other people. They’re scary.”

But to me, the more interesting quote by Wright was when he was talking about the select team that scrimmaged Team USA: "Kyle has been our best shooter."

If Kyle has become that good a shooter, combined with Nolan, Seth, Andre, Kyrie and Ryan (pretty good shooter for a 6'11" guy), then wow. Just wow. Considering how well Kyrie, Nolan, and Seth handle the ball, and how much of a mismatch Kyle is at his position, not to mention how well the MPs can convert alley-oops, etc., how are other teams going to defend us?

[ACCBBallFan]

I know this is really Watzone's thread, and I don't know whether Airowe has posted it in another thread that I couldn't find (and I apologize if he has), but I got this link from Airowe's twitter: http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/08/19/dukes-singler-smith-learn-from-team-usa/

It's a good read, but two quotes stood out for me:



But to me, the more interesting quote by Wright was when he was talking about the select team that scrimmaged Team USA: "Kyle has been our best shooter."

If Kyle has become that good a shooter, combined with Nolan, Seth, Andre, Kyrie and Ryan (pretty good shooter for a 6'11" guy), then wow. Just wow. Considering how well Kyrie, Nolan, and Seth handle the ball, and how much of a mismatch Kyle is at his position, not to mention how well the MPs can convert alley-oops, etc., how are other teams going to defend us?

Yep, though it won't be the starting lineup, the set with Kyrie and Plumlees resting:

Seth or Nolan

Nolan or Seth

Dre

Kyle the senior

Ryan (Kyle the frosh)

is impossible to defend with a normal complement of two bigs.

With both of them now being 235 pounds, they can do a decent enough job on defense to accomodate so much offense.

And then when defenders are tired, in comes Kyrie the ankle breaker and the Plumlee dunking company.

[airowe]

Yep, though it won't be the starting lineup, the set with Kyrie and Plumlees resting:

Seth or Nolan

Nolan or Seth

Dre

Kyle the senior

Ryan (Kyle the frosh)

is impossible to defend with a normal complement of two bigs.

With both of them now being 235 pounds, they can do a decent enough job on defense to accomodate so much offense.

And then when defenders are tired, in comes Kyrie the ankle breaker and the Plumlee dunking company.

That first lineup will be our Zone-Buster. The second lineup will be our Ego-Deflator.

I really like that first lineup to put up a lot of points from the outside, and it's really not that small...

[CEF1959]

Watzone: Very nice report. Thanks.

[flyingdutchdevil]

That first lineup will be our Zone-Buster. The second lineup will be our Ego-Deflator.

I really like that first lineup to put up a lot of points from the outside, and it's really not that small...

Agreed. Defending that 3pt shooting line up will be hell. Wonder if K will ever use it? Maybe if we're ever down a lot of points and need to get back in a hurry (emphasis on 'ever')?

[DukieInBrasil]

Agreed. Defending that 3pt shooting line up will be hell. Wonder if K will ever use it? Maybe if we're ever down a lot of points and need to get back in a hurry (emphasis on 'ever')?
While we can certainly put some squads that have more lethality from 3, it will be pretty hard for K to put a team on the floor that doesn't have at least 4 guys that could reasonably be expected to make a 3 if left open to take it. I only left Josh out of the 9 of 10 b/c I haven't heard/seen one way or the other if he can or likes to shoot 3s.
Nolan: yes Kyle: yes Andre: yes Seth: yes Kyrie: yes (based on reptn) Ryan: yes (didn't light it up last year but has a good rep) Mason: (ibid) Miles: (1-1 lifetime) Tyler: (reputed).
If anyone knows anything about Josh's 3pt ability I'd like to hear it.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Interesting to hear that Miles has less than 1% body fat. :cool:
How do you think he was able to leap over Mason?:cool:
Thanks for the report Watzone.

[Greg_Newton]

A couple new Plumlee videos from the summer:

Miles at the pro-am (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xdq34PaUE8)

Miles dunking drill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x01gic7Qbq0)

Mason dunking drill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOJVAJcL3-0)

Marshall HS highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDttuM8ue5Q) :D

[flyingdutchdevil]

A couple new Plumlee videos from the summer:

Miles at the pro-am (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xdq34PaUE8)

Miles dunking drill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x01gic7Qbq0)

Mason dunking drill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOJVAJcL3-0)

Marshall HS highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDttuM8ue5Q) :D

Season can't start soon enough. Miles is a scary dunker. I expect a few facials this year (Deron Washington style)

[Greg_Newton]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/5567214/with-coaches-away-life-rolls-duke-su

Article on Duke and 'Cuse marching on with K and Boeheim this summer... very encouraging quote about Miles near the end.


"We're going to have really good depth and can go a number of different ways," Wojciechowski said. "We have much more perimeter depth than last year. Last year, we rode Nolan and Jon [Scheyer] and Kyle the whole game, every game. Kyrie is outstanding, and Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins and [freshman guard] Tyler Thornton will all help us. I'm really encouraged."

Having two established players who won a national title returning, Smith and Singler, gives Duke an advantage heading into the season. But not having Scheyer, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas, three key pieces from a season ago, means there will be plenty of new faces who will put their own stamp on this squad.

A year or two ago, no one could have thought that replacing Zoubek would be a major concern. But it is. And the Plumlee brothers, Mason and Miles, as well as Ryan Kelly and apparently freshman Josh Hairston, will need to have major roles for the Blue Devils to win again.

Wojciechowski is already seeing marked improvement.

"Miles Plumlee is poised to make a big jump as a player," Wojciechowski said. "He's shown really good leadership, and with two years under his belt, I'm excited about the type of year he will have."

[theAlaskanBear]

Needless to say there is a lot of excitment going into the coming season. Severaal of our players participated in summer events and here is a breakdown of what we saw during the off season. Many of you had views as well, so feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

http://bluedevilnation.net/2010/08/breaking-down-the-off-season-for-duke-basketball-players/

Thanks Watzone! You mentioned Thornton and I had a question about him. I kind of saw him as a Chris Duhon recruit...low profile, but has the physical skills and mental aptitude to be an ACC starting PG. I have never seen him in person though, so my question is: how does he compare to Chris strength/size/skill-wise. Or am I just conflating the two because everyone is calling Irving the next JWill ;)

[Bay Area Duke Fan]

Thanks Watzone! You mentioned Thornton and I had a question about him. I kind of saw him as a Chris Duhon recruit...low profile, but has the physical skills and mental aptitude to be an ACC starting PG. I have never seen him in person though, so my question is: how does he compare to Chris strength/size/skill-wise. Or am I just conflating the two because everyone is calling Irving the next JWill ;)

As I recall, Duhon was a high profile recruit: McD AA, winner of McD 3-point shooting contest, and one of the top backcourt prospects in the country.

[gumbomoop]

My recollection matches that of BADF. Chris was highly prized, esp by Tubby Smith, who thought for sure he'd convinced Chris to come to UK; and, of course, by K.

Edit title: Neither was Duhon low profile......

[theAlaskanBear]

My recollection matches that of BADF. Chris was highly prized, esp by Tubby Smith, who thought for sure he'd convinced Chris to come to UK; and, of course, by K.

Edit title: Neither was Duhon low profile......

My bad! It was so long ago! I guess I just conflated the fact he came in after JWill and thought he was overlooked by non-Duke fans.

[MChambers]

Thanks Watzone! You mentioned Thornton and I had a question about him. I kind of saw him as a Chris Duhon recruit...low profile, but has the physical skills and mental aptitude to be an ACC starting PG. I have never seen him in person though, so my question is: how does he compare to Chris strength/size/skill-wise. Or am I just conflating the two because everyone is calling Irving the next JWill ;)

Duhon was a Mickie D. He wasn't a low profile recruit. Not top 10, but definitely top 20.

[Kedsy]

Duhon was a Mickie D. He wasn't a low profile recruit. Not top 10, but definitely top 20.

According to RSCI, Chris Duhon was the #6 recruit in the country his senior year. According to Clark Francis's Hoop Scoop, he was #3. Of all the services compiled by RSCI, the worst rating Chris had was #10.

So, you're right he wasn't a low profile recruit, although you're wrong about him not being top 10.

[theAlaskanBear]

Well, now that my gaffe about Duhon has been corrected....can anyone answer the question? How does Thornton compare to Chris physically and skills wise? Can T become a defensive stopper like CD?

[MChambers]

According to RSCI, Chris Duhon was the #6 recruit in the country his senior year. According to Clark Francis's Hoop Scoop, he was #3. Of all the services compiled by RSCI, the worst rating Chris had was #10.

So, you're right he wasn't a low profile recruit, although you're wrong about him not being top 10.

Guess I should do more research before I post! And I remember someone saying that Duhon would have been a lottery pick after his freshman year, too. Of course, the rest of his career didn't really follow that trajectory, although he had a very good career.

[Kedsy]

Well, now that my gaffe about Duhon has been corrected....can anyone answer the question? How does Thornton compare to Chris physically and skills wise? Can T become a defensive stopper like CD?

I've never seen Tyler play, so I can't answer your question. But from what I've read about him, I'm hoping for more of a Tommy Amaker type (pass-first PG and excellent defender). Because of our depth at guard, I don't expect to see too much of Tyler this year, except in blowouts, but hopefully he'll become a regular in the rotation next year.

[Bob Green]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/5567214/with-coaches-away-life-rolls-duke-su

Article on Duke and 'Cuse marching on with K and Boeheim this summer... very encouraging quote about Miles near the end.

I absolutely love the comment about Miles Plumlee:


"Miles Plumlee is poised to make a big jump as a player," Wojciechowski said. "He's shown really good leadership, and with two years under his belt, I'm excited about the type of year he will have."

The 2010-11 Blue Devils will need Miles Plumlee to be a low post beast on defense and on the boards. My expectations are he will rise to the occasion and excel. The jump hook and midrange jump shot he displayed a couple of times last season could make him a dangerous offensive option as well.

[Kedsy]

I absolutely love the comment about Miles Plumlee:

The 2010-11 Blue Devils will need Miles Plumlee to be a low post beast on defense and on the boards. My expectations are he will rise to the occasion and excel. The jump hook and midrange jump shot he displayed a couple of times last season could make him a dangerous offensive option as well.

I hope you're right, Bob, because you're focusing on what I think is a key to Duke's season. If Miles (or Mason, or Ryan, preferably two or more of the bunch) has become a plus defender, Duke will be scary good. If not, we'll be good, but vulnerable.

[basket1544]

I hope you're right, Bob, because you're focusing on what I think is a key to Duke's season. If Miles (or Mason, or Ryan, preferably two or more of the bunch) has become a plus defender, Duke will be scary good. If not, we'll be good, but vulnerable.

Today I was going through the potential line-ups we will see on the court this year (bored while loading a database). The potential vulnerability I see is Mason's fouls. I'm worried that Mason won't be able to stay on the court enough minutes. I'm sure Ryan (or Josh) can come in and take some of those minutes and Kyle can always move to the 4 with a 3 guard lineup but I want that to be a natural progression in the game, not because it has to be.
Please hurry up and get here season!