MBB: Duke vs Clemson, ACCT (Fri ~2130 EDT, ESPN) Pre-Game and In-Game Thread

[hurleyfor3]

Finally, we know who we're playing. But we don't know when. Of course we don't, because of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle!

[duke09hms]

Time for revenge.
There's no way we can come out flat and unmotivated ... right?

[ChrisP]

Time for revenge.
There's no way we can come out flat and unmotivated ... right?

Right?

[hurleyfor3]

Right?

Like we did in last year's tournament?

[gep]

I'm really hopeful... especially after the unc game, the possibilities of the platoons with the extra energy, and the emergence of Jabari as a real leader. GO DUKE!!!!!

[MaxAMillion]

I was praying that Georgia Tech would win. I think Duke will struggle with Clemson just like they struggled with Maryland last year. Clemson can ugly it up and keep the score down. That won't favor Duke.

[Edouble]

I was praying that Georgia Tech would win. I think Duke will struggle with Clemson just like they struggled with Maryland last year. Clemson can ugly it up and keep the score down. That won't favor Duke.

As long as we get Jabari the ball on the low block or the elbow and Hood mixes things up with the drive and the 3, we should win.

I don't think any non-elite teams have any answer for Jabari at this point. Not sure if the elite ones do either, but hopefully we'll learn that later on.
We gotta ride him as far as we can go. We should be going to Saturday.

Curious to see how Quinn comes out in this one.

[awhom111]

Remember that the ACC feed is available on TV (as I know some people prefer their commentators) in the below markets and online on the ACC website:
http://www.theacc.com/#!/GameCenter/531cb23ae4b0e7c771510841



District Of Columbia
Washington, DC (Hagerstown, MD) WDCA My Network TV MY 20

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[Edouble]

Against Tech in OT on Thursday night, Clemson's starters logged 30, 34, 36, 40, and 43 minutes of game time.

The double bye is always advantage, but it seems like the advantage is compounded following a late night overtime game. Extra game minutes, extra late getting to bed. I'll take every advantage we can get. I want to win the ACC!

[kAzE]

Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this game. We haven't been good off extended breaks, and we're vulnerable to these scrappy defensive teams, especially ones with extremely quick point guards. I hope Jabari just comes out on fire, that would probably give us the cushion needed to win.

[dukelifer]

Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this game. We haven't been good off extended breaks, and we're vulnerable to these scrappy defensive teams, especially ones with extremely quick point guards. I hope Jabari just comes out on fire, that would probably give us the cushion needed to win.

But Duke has done well in rematch games where they lost the first one. This will again come down to crunch time. Duke will need to be smart and find ways to score inside. Clemson is a good test.

[slower]

What time would our semifinal game be on Saturday? Evening, I hope.

[arnie]

What time would our semifinal game be on Saturday? Evening, I hope.

Around 4

[tbyers11]

What time would our semifinal game be on Saturday? Evening, I hope.

Semi finals are at 1 and 3:30. If we win, we would play in the 3:30 slot

[UrinalCake]

I'm hoping for an easy win and a chance to rest the starters. I'm probably asking for too much. Will settle for just a win.

[roywhite]

I'm hoping for an easy win and a chance to rest the starters. I'm probably asking for too much. Will settle for just a win.

Good chance we see the platoon system of substitution, at least in the 1st half.

Jabari needs to be a different player than he was in the 1st game vs Clemson (6 3-pt attempts) and take care of business with inside scoring and rebounding. He will do it and Duke will advance.

[Troublemaker]

Curious to see how Quinn comes out in this one.

I think he should do well because Clemson is a man-to-man team and his struggles tend to come more against zones, imo. Nice opportunity here for Quinn to continue to build momentum after a good game against UNC.


Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this game. We haven't been good off extended breaks, and we're vulnerable to these scrappy defensive teams, especially ones with extremely quick point guards. I hope Jabari just comes out on fire, that would probably give us the cushion needed to win.


But Duke has done well in rematch games where they lost the first one. This will again come down to crunch time.


I was praying that Georgia Tech would win. I think Duke will struggle with Clemson just like they struggled with Maryland last year. Clemson can ugly it up and keep the score down. That won't favor Duke.

I think Duke destroys Clemson personally. Maybe --maybe-- we get out to a slow start because Clemson just played while Duke's previous game was on Saturday, but Duke should eventually roll. The existence of the Maryland example from last season makes it more likely Duke is superfocused here, not less likely.

[jv001]

I think he should do well because Clemson is a man-to-man team and his struggles tend to come more against zones, imo. Nice opportunity here for Quinn to continue to build momentum after a good game against UNC.







I think Duke destroys Clemson personally. Maybe --maybe-- we get out to a slow start because Clemson just played while Duke's previous game was on Saturday, but Duke should eventually roll. The existence of the Maryland example from last season makes it more likely Duke is superfocused here, not less likely.

I'm agree with you on this one. I see Duke coming out fired up and I look for Jabari to be the leader he was in the Carolina game. I see it close to the 8 minute mark of the first half and Duke pulls away. I agree we'll see the line change in this one. Going to be interesting to see how many minutes MPIII get's in this one. GoDuke!

[jipops]

I think Clemson creates issues for us with their defense. McDaniels could likely neutralize either Hood or Parker. I would much rather we be playing GTech. The performance of our guards is extremely important in this one. Hopefully we can force some turnovers to get out in transition and not keep it a half court game. We should get the win but it's going to be ugly.

[NashvilleDevil]

I think Clemson creates issues for us with their defense. McDaniels could likely neutralize either Hood or Parker. I would much rather we be playing GTech. The performance of our guards is extremely important in this one. Hopefully we can force some turnovers to get out in transition and not keep it a half court game. We should get the win but it's going to be ugly.

He cannot guard both of them, have to hope that whichever one is not being guarded by McDaniels has a great game. I think Duke wins this one convincingly.

[chrishoke]

Clemson's physicality will give us fits. I'm worried it will get us in foul trouble.

[60's Devil]

In game one Rod Hall was able to penetrate at will and made mince meat out of our man to man. Will we adjust and if so, how?

[roywhite]

I was praying that Georgia Tech would win. I think Duke will struggle with Clemson just like they struggled with Maryland last year. Clemson can ugly it up and keep the score down. That won't favor Duke.


Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this game. We haven't been good off extended breaks, and we're vulnerable to these scrappy defensive teams, especially ones with extremely quick point guards. I hope Jabari just comes out on fire, that would probably give us the cushion needed to win.


Clemson's physicality will give us fits. I'm worried it will get us in foul trouble.


In game one Rod Hall was able to penetrate at will and made mince meat out of our man to man. Will we adjust and if so, how?

Great to see the confidence of our fanbase. :rolleyes:

[Kedsy]

Great to see the confidence of our fanbase. :rolleyes:

Seriously. So we lost to Clemson? We also lost to Notre Dame and Wake Forest. Would people be worried about rematches with them, too?

We're 7th in the nation in the AP poll, 6th in the coach's poll, 7th in RPI, 7th in Pomeroy, and 6th in Sagarin. Of course we could lose the game, but people ought to be at least a little confident when we square off at a neutral site against the ACC's 6th place team.

[rtnorthrup]

Clemson's physicality will give us fits. I'm worried it will get us in foul trouble.

I didn't see the Duke-Clemson game from earlier in this season, but I did watch a good bit of the game vs. Ga Tech last night and I didn't see an overly physical Clemson team. It may be a matchup thing.

[moonpie23]

I don't like it......but no one called to ask me...

[devildeac]

Gotta beat someone to play tomorrow. Might as well be Clemson. Go Devils!!!

[ice-9]

Great to see the confidence of our fanbase. :rolleyes:

I'm glad we're worried. In most of our losses this season, we've just been way too overconfident as fans. UNC and Wake in particular spring to mind.

[Papa John]

Great to see the confidence of our fanbase. :rolleyes:

My thoughts exactly! You'd think we were about to go fight a pack of giants with only a sling or something... We're #7/#8 in the country, for cryin' out tears, going up against an unranked team who just played a slugfest against a bottom-feeder into the wee hours...

To be the best, ya gotta beat the best. I'm glad we get another shot at Clemson so that we can hopefully exact a measure of payback for the loss in the early portion of the ACC slate. The whole key to a strong postseason run is Jabari, and whether he has truly decided to grab the reigns. I think he has, as demonstrated by his dominating performance in the UNC game coupled with his mental focus (demonstrated by his corralling of Rasheed multiple times when Sheed was losing his focus during the game). The guy at the helm doesn't have to be a point guard, he just needs to be a strong leader who will mentally refocus/recenter his team when they begin to get a little loosey-goosey on the floor. We shall see tonight...

I also think that we will clearly go with the platooning system, as K is well aware that these games on short rest can physically tax the players, and he knows the platoon system has been an effective way to increase the energy level in the first half and rest our key guys for the second half.

[Kedsy]

I'm glad we're worried. In most of our losses this season, we've just been way too overconfident as fans. UNC and Wake in particular spring to mind.

Yeah, if only we fans (watching on TV since both games you cite were road games) had taken our opponents seriously, the team might have won those two games. I blame myself. ;)

[UrinalCake]

Yeah, if only we fans (watching on TV since both games you cite were road games) had taken our opponents seriously, the team might have won those two games. I blame myself. ;)

Studies show that in games that fans take lightly, teams are 63% more likely to lose. You can't argue with the facts!

[azzefkram]

Yeah, if only we fans (watching on TV since both games you cite were road games) had taken our opponents seriously, the team might have won those two games. I blame myself. ;)

I blame you, too :p

[ice-9]

Yeah, if only we fans (watching on TV since both games you cite were road games) had taken our opponents seriously, the team might have won those two games. I blame myself. ;)

Haha, my post was mostly tongue-in-cheek.

But sometimes I wonder if there's a correlation between fans being overconfident and Duke players being overconfident.

[MCFinARL]

Haha, my post was mostly tongue-in-cheek.

But sometimes I wonder if there's a correlation between fans being overconfident and Duke players being overconfident.

Well, sure, there would likely be, as long as you are talking about correlation and not causation. The same factors that make the team feel overconfident make the fans feel overconfident. But it's not that likely that our overconfidence is what is feeding or causing theirs.

On the other hand, when I start watching a game with my team up a lot and the momentum immediately begins to shift to the opponent, I acknowledge that I have, in fact, caused that ... ;)

Re confidence of fans generally, there are two basic types of fans, just like there are two basic types of people--confident fans/optimists who are comfortable with the high risk-high reward route (at least as far as their emotions are concerned) and pessimistic fans who manage their expectations, thus minimizing their disappointment and sometimes being pleasantly surprised (which they immediately second guess so as to continue to minimize future disappointment). And we have lots of both kinds at DBR.

There probably are a few balanced, rational fans out there too--but by definition (fan=fanatic) this will be a pretty small group.

[Reilly]

Duke's favored by 9.5. UNC's favored by 1.

[niveklaen]

Well, sure, there would likely be, as long as you are talking about correlation and not causation. The same factors that make the team feel overconfident make the fans feel overconfident. But it's not that likely that our overconfidence is what is feeding or causing theirs.

On the other hand, when I start watching a game with my team up a lot and the momentum immediately begins to shift to the opponent, I acknowledge that I have, in fact, caused that ... ;)

Re confidence of fans generally, there are two basic types of fans, just like there are two basic types of people--confident fans/optimists who are comfortable with the high risk-high reward route (at least as far as their emotions are concerned) and pessimistic fans who manage their expectations, thus minimizing their disappointment and sometimes being pleasantly surprised (which they immediately second guess so as to continue to minimize future disappointment). And we have lots of both kinds at DBR.

There probably are a few balanced, rational fans out there too--but by definition (fan=fanatic) this will be a pretty small group.

To the extent that players communicate with fans, the fans' overconfidence might rub off on them

or conversely the fans' defeatest attitude could rub off on them causing demoralization and apathy

pretty much no matter what we do, its our fault as fans if the team loses

[roywhite]

Talk about 2 programs that have had totally different ACC Basketball Tournament results over the years.

From 1954 through the 2013 tournament:

Duke 19 championships Total record 91-41
Clemson 0 championships Total record 17-60

Think about that....Clemson has played in every ACC Tournament since the league started and has won a TOTAL of 17 games (18 if we count their win last night)

I'm trying to give the pessimists some basis for feeling good about this game, but I suspect they'll interpret this as bad karma, or that good results for Clemson are overdue ;)

[Papa John]

I'm trying to give the pessimists some basis for feeling good about this game, but I suspect they'll interpret this as bad karma, or that good results for Clemson are overdue ;)

You mean, in the same way that good results are overdue for Clemson when they play in Chapel Hill? ;)

[Coballs]

Why does ESPN list the start time for tonight's game as 9PM? Syracuse-State tips at 7, so there is no possible way that our game starts before 9:30. ESPN has pulled this nonsense for years, but I've never understood why they do it? Can somebody please enlighten me.

[Billy Dat]

I also think that we will clearly go with the platooning system, as K is well aware that these games on short rest can physically tax the players, and he knows the platoon system has been an effective way to increase the energy level in the first half and rest our key guys for the second half.

To this end, I have visions of Marshall Plumlee picking up K.J. McDaniels and taking a bite of of him as if he is a Slim Jim. It may result in some ejections and technicals, but a message will have been sent - serve Slim Jims at the training table!

[flyingdutchdevil]

Why does ESPN list the start time for tonight's game as 9PM? Syracuse-State tips at 7, so there is no possible way that our game starts before 9:30. ESPN has pulled this nonsense for years, but I've never understood why they do it? Can somebody please enlighten me.

Sure. I'll do my best to rationalize it. It starts with "M" and ends with "oney".

If the game is most likely to start at 9:30, but in truth starts after a 2-hour game, why not call it 9:00? Duke fans, Clemson fans, and college basketball fans will tune in at 9:00 expecting to see Duke-Clemson but rather the last 10 minutes of another game. Some viewers will turn off the TV and tune in in 20 minutes, some viewers will change the channel to ESPN2, but I assume most fans will just watch the remaining 20 mins of the game, the ESPN analysis that follows, and, of course, the 47 commercials of fast food, cars, beer, insurance, and impotency drugs. In other words, $$$ for ESPN.

[Billy Dat]

Why does ESPN list the start time for tonight's game as 9PM? Syracuse-State tips at 7, so there is no possible way that our game starts before 9:30. ESPN has pulled this nonsense for years, but I've never understood why they do it? Can somebody please enlighten me.

On the off chance that you'll tune in a 9, catch the end of the prior game, and also catch some of the commercials. If they listed it as its accurate 10PM start time, non Duke/Clemson fans might be tempted to go to sleep - or to flip over to #richkidsofbeverlyhills

[hurleyfor3]

Why does ESPN list the start time for tonight's game as 9PM? Syracuse-State tips at 7, so there is no possible way that our game starts before 9:30. ESPN has pulled this nonsense for years, but I've never understood why they do it? Can somebody please enlighten me.

Espn didn't start it. The shorthand for game times has been "twelve-two-seven-nine" forever. With other conferences and the NCAA tournament, too.

[devildeac]

To this end, I have visions of Marshall Plumlee picking up K.J. McDaniels and taking a bite of of him as if he is a Slim Jim. It may result in some ejections and technicals, but a message will have been sent - serve Slim Jims at the training table!

Slim Jim? Ok, you asked for it. "Step into a Slim Jim. Oh yeah!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXTagE7BtRU

(rest his soul)

[jjasper0729]

Karl Hess is working the UNC/Pitt game today. So that's a good thing. Unless Jamie Luckie ends up being our lead ref.

[MCFinARL]

Karl Hess is working the UNC/Pitt game today. So that's a good thing. Unless Jamie Luckie ends up being our lead ref.

Be careful what you wish for....

[OldPhiKap]

Be careful what you wish for....

Last time I said something bad about Teddy Valentine, I got a 30-spork ding. So I guess I've changed routes and am hoping he is calling the game.

I won't mind being disappointed, though.

[MChambers]

I'm thinking our recent emphasis on points in the paint will be enough to get by the offensively challenged Tigers. I don't know when, of course, as Heisenberg postulated.

[pfrduke]

One of the keys to the first game was getting killed on the glass. We haven't had a rebounding game that bad (when you consider both sides together) since (the game @UNC is closest). Landry Nnoko had his second best game of the season and Marshall didn't see a minute of court time. If we manage to neutralize those two components, that would go a long way toward erasing the difference from January's game. (also, it wouldn't hurt if Jaron Blossomgame, a 20.8% three point shooter, didn't get hot again from downtown)

[devildeac]

One of the keys to the first game was getting killed on the glass. We haven't had a rebounding game that bad (when you consider both sides together) since (the game @UNC is closest). Landry Nnoko had his second best game of the season and Marshall didn't see a minute of court time. If we manage to neutralize those two components, that would go a long way toward erasing the difference from January's game. (also, it wouldn't hurt if Jaron Blossomgame, a 20.8% three point shooter, didn't get hot again from downtown)

I wouldn't have recalled that player's name if my life depended on it until last night when my wife was following the GT-Clemson game as we headed out of town and mentioned his name. Then I remembered that we made him look like an all ACC player in that game.:mad:

[NashvilleDevil]

Just read on the twitters that Dre is starting over Sheed. Don't know if I like the second unit having two guys who dribble as much as Quinn and Sheed do.

[riverside6]

Live tempo based stats for Duke/Clemson, starters posted

http://www.scacchoops.com/ViewHDGame.asp?hSchedule=25896

[FerryFor50]

I wouldn't have recalled that player's name if my life depended on it until last night when my wife was following the GT-Clemson game as we headed out of town and mentioned his name. Then I remembered that we made him look like an all ACC player in that game.:mad:

Yep. This is a very different Duke team with Marshall in there against bigger front lines.

Plus they aren't playing at Littlejohn this time...

[pfrduke]

Just read on the twitters that Dre is starting over Sheed. Don't know if I like the second unit having two guys who dribble as much as Quinn and Sheed do.

Also not sure I like having the first unit lacking a shot creator in the backcourt. Could be vulnerable to early turnovers.

[BlueDevilBrowns]

Just read on the twitters that Dre is starting over Sheed. Don't know if I like the second unit having two guys who dribble as much as Quinn and Sheed do.

In that lineup, I'd have Quinn play the SG slot and spot up for set 3's off Sheed's dribble penetration.

[g-money]

Psyched to see Andre in the starting lineup. I hope it boosts the offense a bit

[NYBri]

Don't like seeing Parker taking jump shots.

[FerryFor50]

Great. Now Roper will be the player to have a career game against Duke.

Weak call on the foul, though.

[SCMatt33]

Both teams seem completely disinterested in playing this game. There have been a lot of lazy or one-on-one plays at both ends. I don't see a lot of movement without the ball either way. Both teams are lucky the other isn't playing harder. A ten point lead was out there for either team if they wanted it.

[dukelifer]

Great. Now Roper will be the player to have a career game against Duke.

Weak call on the foul, though.

Duke should be up by 15. Poor shooting

[CDu]

Settling for jumpshots. And committing dumb fouls. Not a great start. Hopefully we settle down soon.

[NYBri]

I hope we've had our obligatory five or six minutes without scoring in the first half.

[ChrisP]

I cannot believe our utter lack of poise on offense. Maybe it's due to Clemson's defensive reputation, but it's like we cannot WAIT to jack up a bad shot! We need to be a bit more patient and get good shots and I think we could win this easily. So frustrating with the offensive weapons we have on this team :(

[arnie]

Great. Now Roper will be the player to have a career game against Duke.

Weak call on the foul, though.

We look uncomfortable on O- just like at Littlejohn

[dukelifer]

Settling for jumpshots. And committing dumb fouls. Not a great start. Hopefully we settle down soon.

Another one

[sporthenry]

Clemson manhandling Duke in the paint. Maybe the refs will let us contest a jump shot?

[SCMatt33]

We look uncomfortable on O- just like at Littlejohn

I really think that it's more of an effort thing. No one is moving without the ball to help out.

[dukelifer]

Clemson is defending Duke very well.

[Les Grossman]

just very poor shooting

[sporthenry]

2 fouls through 15 minutes for Clemson?

[_Gary]

This is thoroughly depressing thus far. We've been horrid on offense, although a part of that is Clemson's size/length down low. So far this a Clemson kind of game.

[ChrisP]

just very poor shooting

Yes, but I think the poor shooting all begins with poor shot selection. We are settling for...basically any look at the rim instead of a good one.

[bleedingblue88]

Hood and Parker 4-18 collectively. Yeesh that is recipe for quick exit in the tourney.

[dukelifer]

This is thoroughly depressing thus far. We've been horrid on offense, although a part of that is Clemson's size/length down low. So far this a Clemson kind of game.

So far. I think Duke tried to push the pace to tire them. But it affected their O. Clemson has settled in.

[NYBri]

Let's stop Hall please.

[dukelifer]

A couple of nice oops

[NYBri]

Defense!

[JetpackJesus]

Those alley-oops are pretty high percentage shots. More of those please.

[sporthenry]

Halftime coming at a bad time. Duke seemed to have settled down. Hopefully this continues to start the half.

[dukelifer]

Need to PASS the ball. That will work against this D.

[ChrisP]

Love the D leading to easy O!!!

Where has THAT been all year? :)

[Duke79UNLV77]

We tried to push the pace one time, and got a Sheed layup, and then finished with a couple of live ball turnovers. Let's not walk the ball up every time down the court.

[CDu]

Aside from those two alley-oops, our halfcourt offense has looked stagnant. Thankfully, Clemson is really mediocre offensively, and we've rebounded well. Nice to have a lead despite struggling offensively. Hopefully the late first half run will get our confidence going.

[Billy Dat]

We had a chance to get up 10+ early and failed to for several reasons - the oft mentioned poor shot selection, not finishing at the rim, and all those fouls on Roper. That gave Clemson a lot of life, but they still look like a tired team that we could squash if we forced tempo and pressure. Why not pick up full court and make them work a little harder? I hope we see some pressure in the second half, because McDaniels is not near 100% and we did look good in transition. I am glad we ended the half well, let's put the hammer down early and push this to 10 points in the first 5 minutes!

[DU82]

As -jk would say, that was very poor reffing at the end of the half. The refs are supposed to look to the bench in that situation in case the coach wants a timeout. That's part of game management. With two seconds left, probably didn't cost anything, but I've witnessed last second shots enough (1.0 seconds for UConn to go full court against Clemson, in fact) to know that it might matter.

[arnie]

Aside from those two alley-oops, our halfcourt offense has looked stagnant. Thankfully, Clemson is really mediocre offensively, and we've rebounded well. Nice to have a lead despite struggling offensively. Hopefully the late first half run will get our confidence going.

I think we hit 2 shots from 5- feet out or further. Hard to believe we're winning by outrebounding them.

[Chard]

Count Dunkula has 10 points to lead Duke to a 4 point lead. A good game so far. Duke is only shooting 16.7% on threes so hopefully that will change. I think it will but Duke also has to continue to go to the rim in the 2nd half.

Happy March Madness, everyone! It's a great time to be a basketball fan!

[CLW]

pretty awful performance on O thankfully Clemson is awful and their best player is basically out due to injury. stop fouling the jump shooters, rebound and hopefully the O starts clicking to blow this one open.

[nyesq83]

Duke's three defense will be tentative...

[NYBri]

Make the free throws.

[Billy Dat]

Let's go baby - time to push this lead out more!!!!

[CDu]

Loving the effort to start the second half. Clemson has just one field goal, and that was on a 20-foot 2-pointer by McDaniels. Let's keep this up!

[NYBri]

They want to run more to keep Clemson from setting up the half-court defense. Look for more outlet passes and fast breaks.

[sporthenry]

This is where this Duke team struggles. They can push the lead but can't step on the throat. Hopefully they've learned by now to push this.

Hopefully the Hood sickness isn't serious.

[Billy Dat]

Our defensive rotations are sharp. If we can push this lead up a little more, they'll have to start playing faster which should play into our hands.

[ChrisP]

Ugh, Parker and Jefferson both pass up shots to allow Matt Jones to shoot an airball :(

I love Matt's D but his shooting...whoo boy, have yet to see it.

[_Gary]

Love what I'm seeing now. I only hope Andre hasn't fallen completely out of the rotation after a tough first half (and last few games). We'll need him before this weekend is over. On the other hand it's nice to see Matt getting some good burn here in the second half.

[Billy Dat]

The local scribes are killing Jones' shooting on Twitter:

Jim Young ‏@RealJimYoung 1m
Tell me again how Matt Jones was one of the top shooters coming out of HS. Did folks just assume that because he signed w/ Duke?

Bret Strelow ‏@bretstrelow 1m
Corner 3 from Thornton, but corner airball from Jones, who is now 3-for-20 from 3-point range this season.

[dairedevil]

Hood is back. Did they ever say why he left?

[FerryFor50]

The local scribes are killing Jones' shooting on Twitter:

Jim Young ‏@RealJimYoung 1m
Tell me again how Matt Jones was one of the top shooters coming out of HS. Did folks just assume that because he signed w/ Duke?

Bret Strelow ‏@bretstrelow 1m
Corner 3 from Thornton, but corner airball from Jones, who is now 3-for-20 from 3-point range this season.

Tyler Thornton shot just 26.7% as a freshman from 3. Now he shoots above 45%!

There's still time for Matty!

[SCMatt33]

The local scribes are killing Jones' shooting on Twitter:

Jim Young ‏@RealJimYoung 1m
Tell me again how Matt Jones was one of the top shooters coming out of HS. Did folks just assume that because he signed w/ Duke?

Bret Strelow ‏@bretstrelow 1m
Corner 3 from Thornton, but corner airball from Jones, who is now 3-for-20 from 3-point range this season.

Shooting off the bench is like pinch hitting in baseball. It's a very specialized skill that not everyone has. We're pretty lucky to have a guy like Dre who is so good at it. Most guys need to get enough minutes to be in rhythm. Jones has spent his whole life seeing plenty of the ball. Hard to adjust.

[FerryFor50]

That picture they showed of Jabari on the All-ACC team typifies the type of season he's had - guys grabbing him as he shoots.

[NYBri]

Up by 13. Keep stretching...no stall ball, please.

[SCMatt33]

Up by 13. Keep stretching...no stall ball, please.

With this kind of lead I wouldn't expect it until the next timeout. If we were up 20, maybe.

[Billy Dat]

Big 3 by Quinn, it was nice to adjust to a zone and hit a shot to make them pay for the switch. We need to keep this lead at double digits. They are going to the hole on every play, I wish we'd throw a zone look for a possession or two to keep them off balance. That is a wrinkle K needs to add!!!!!! Just a look once in a while to keep them guessing.

[FerryFor50]

Up by 13. Keep stretching...no stall ball, please.

Are you kidding? Teams like Clemson are what stall ball was made for. Get a big lead and take the air out of the ball. No way a team as bad on offense as Clemson can storm back.

[NYBri]

This is where we have trouble. At the 11 minute mark .

[Billy Dat]

Good takes by Rodney, but Clemson looks like they suddenly got a shot of HGH! Great take by Amile!!!

[sporthenry]

This Duke team knows how to let a lead disappear more than any other Duke team I can remember.

[NYBri]

Are you kidding? Teams like Clemson are what stall ball was made for. Get a big lead and take the air out of the ball. No way a team as bad on offense as Clemson can storm back.

As you were saying?

[_Gary]

News bulletin: This game is NOT over!

[SCMatt33]

Here we go again with the defense. 6 straight possession with points given up. This is going to kill ya one day.

[FerryFor50]

As you were saying?

They didn't play stall. They forced up bad shots early in the clock. And that led to Clemson transition points.

[Gthoma2a]

We do not need to stall. We need to attack and get the boards.

Also, do these announcers not realize that Kansas is already out of their conference tournament?

[Billy Dat]

Big finish by Jabari, let's push this back out to 9 or 10!

[NYBri]

They didn't play stall. They forced up bad shots early in the clock. And that led to Clemson transition points.

You said, "No way a team as bad on offense as Clemson can storm back."

[ChrisP]

Aye, aye, AYE!!!! Come on, Duke! We had a poor offensive team down by 13 a few minutes ago! No way they should be allowed to climb back in this one. Seal the deal!!!

[FerryFor50]

You said, "No way a team as bad on offense as Clemson can storm back."

Yes, but it was qualified with "play stall ball."

If Clemson was forced to play half court the rest of the game, they wouldn't get close. Instead, they've come back with transition buckets and some offensive put backs off of transition.

Stall ball slows it down and makes them execute an actual offensive set. That and making shots. :)

[ChrisP]

There is a TON of contact on our drivers. Seems like the refs let the first 2 go and "let them play". Jeez!

[nyesq83]

I told you they would keep shooting threes... 3/15 for Tigers, 3/11 for Duke

[NYBri]

Up ny nine...run the clock down ... Terrible shot....three on the other end ... Up by six . Stall ball strikes again.

[Billy Dat]

I credit Clemson with playing hard and not quitting. They have been a different team the past 6 minutes or so. The last sequence was big, we could have pushed it to 11 and instead its 6. Huge dig down by Tyler earlier...let's go!

[ChrisP]

I love TT! Awesome steal to save what could have been an easy two for the Tigers.

Unfortunately, Hood passed up a decent shot to give it Amile for a worse one that he missed and then...transition 3 :(

[CR9]

'Kin stall ball. Attack.

[nyesq83]

4/16 and the zone is working again

[NYBri]

Love the stall ball. Not.

[Billy Dat]

4/16 and the zone is working again

Yeah - we need to get that pass to Amile or Rodney at the foul line.

[ChrisP]

Was that stall ball with only a 6 point lead and this much time to go?!?!? Ugh. Me no likey. We look like we're playing not to lose now. Danger time!

[SCMatt33]

Clemson has now scored 24 points in its last 14 possessions (scoring at least one on 12 of them). They had 29 points in the 25 minutes of play before that.

[BD80]

Yeah, if only we fans (watching on TV since both games you cite were road games) had taken our opponents seriously, the team might have won those two games. I blame myself. ;)


Studies show that in games that fans take lightly, teams are 63% more likely to lose. You can't argue with the facts!

Kedsy argues with facts - ON HIS SIDE!

[karmacoma]

Just insane how poorly we play in the last 10 minutes of most games.

[arnie]

4/16 and the zone is working again

Stall ball is horrible - has taken us out of rythym

[CR9]

If they fall behind they'll get beat.

[dairedevil]

Yowza...stall ball works....if you score, or rebound with a reset shot clock. Otherwise, it can get ugly fast.

[ChrisP]

What in the world???? Initiating offense with under 10 on the clock?

[FerryFor50]

Stall ball is horrible - has taken us out of rythym

They never really were in rhythm. They shot 40% in the first half. They scored 29 points. They are at 40% for the game now. They had one good run, mostly off of Clemson turnovers.

[NYBri]

Good lord. Shot clock at 6. Time out.

[CR9]

They've run that same play like 5 possessions in a row and scored from all of them.

[ChrisP]

I thought our D was pretty good for about 30 minutes but it has been awful lately. I hope we don't blow this one!

[Duke79UNLV77]

Not pushing pace. Walking it up. Letting their half-court defense set. Then, having to force something late in the shot clock.

When we first started playing the bench more, we also recommitted to running more.

[arnie]

If they fall behind they'll get beat.

Stall ball also yields passive D

[SCMatt33]

Duke has now given up points on 14 of the last 16 Clemson possessions. How Duke still leads I have no idea. This might actually be the worst defensive stretch of the year and thats saying something

Edit: 15 of 17 now

[rsvman]

We need a freaking STOP!!

[NYBri]

I smell stall ball loss.

[Gthoma2a]

If we would just get some boards. It is okay to miss, but somebody has to get the board when you do.

[ice-9]

Our transition d....let's go duke!

[ChrisP]

What the heck was Rodney doing letting the Clemson player just shoot an uncontested layup there? OMG!!! We are holding on for dear life. Clemson is probably better than their record but this is ridiculous - should have had this one salted away a looooong time ago.

[sporthenry]

I smell stall ball loss.

It isn't a stall ball loss. It's a defense loss. Letting a team score on 6 of 7 possessions will get you in regardless. In fact, several of those baskets are the result of bad shots leading to breakouts which weren't related to stall ball.

[SCMatt33]

I smell stall ball loss.

This started with 14 or 15 minutes left. The stall ball isn't what caused it.

[CDu]

Just horrid defense over the last 4 minutes. Horrid. Stall ball or no stall ball, if you don't get stops, you're going to lose. We've stopped getting stops.

We've let them score on 6 of their last 7 possessions. That's terrible.

[Billy Dat]

Sheed is going to knock these down, we are finally going to get a stop, and we'll hit our free throws down the stretch. That is what I am telling myself. I'd like to see us go a little defense/offense subs.

[Atlanta Duke]

If someone could walk me through why the offense is running through Mr Sulaimon I would like to hear it

[Gthoma2a]

Sheed is going to knock these down, we are finally going to get a stop, and we'll hit our free throws down the stretch. That is what I am telling myself. I'd like to see us go a little defense/offense subs.

Sometimes these things just don't work out.

[CR9]

Whose leg does Bari have to hump to get a touch?

[SCMatt33]

17 of 19 possessions

[ChrisP]

You know, if we lose this one, we totally deserve it. Why, why WHY is Jabari not getting the ball on offense at all????

[Gthoma2a]

Hood has got to hit these. Then, we need to defend without fouling. Please!

[arnie]

Sheed is going to knock these down, we are finally going to get a stop, and we'll hit our free throws down the stretch. That is what I am telling myself. I'd like to see us go a little defense/offense subs.

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

[arnie]

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

Passive D will kill us here

[ChrisP]

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

I think awful D is what has cost us in this one. Stall ball wasn't great, but you HAVE to get stops!

[FerryFor50]

Defense "lost" this game. If anything, stall ball should help with defense.

Yea, you can't stall on defense. Stall ball didn't make Clemson shoot 60+% from the field in the 2nd half.

[sporthenry]

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

Defense "lost" this game. If anything, stall ball should help with defense.

[Billy Dat]

Sometimes these things just don't work out.

Come on, the one stop we get will be right now!!!!!!! The one we need!!!! Come on!!!!!!

[CDu]

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

I think it's more fair to say that our defense is the culprit. Not stall ball. Seriously: take a look at the Clemson side of the play-by-play in this second half. Lots of buckets.

[ice-9]

De-fence!!!

[SCMatt33]

I think it's fair to say stall ball lost this one whether we lose or not

I don't think it is. They stopped playing defense at the 14 minute mark. That has nothing to do with stall ball.

[CDu]

Thank goodness!

[Trey21]

Gotta love TT. Knows what to do and he is clutch.