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JBDuke
11-07-2018, 12:14 AM
What a game. Put your post-game comments here.

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 12:15 AM
I’m worried about this game, guys.

Kentucky’s experience will be too much for the young Blue Devils, who won’t be ready for primetime. Duke’s going to have so much trouble scoring against Kentucky’s length, and you just know Kentucky is going to pound us on the boards.

duke4ever19
11-07-2018, 12:15 AM
What a game. Put your post-game comments here.

That was AWESOME!!!!

DukeDevil
11-07-2018, 12:16 AM
Chronicle headline suggestion: CATSRATED

LasVegas
11-07-2018, 12:16 AM
I’m worried about this game, guys.

Kentucky’s experience will be too much for the young Blue Devils, who won’t be ready for primetime. Duke’s going to have so much trouble scoring against Kentucky’s length, and you just know Kentucky is going to pound us on the boards.

What you didn’t factor into this was the legend of Jack White growing even bigger.

YmoBeThere
11-07-2018, 12:17 AM
Can they move that March/April tournament to early December?

VA_BDevil
11-07-2018, 12:18 AM
Anyone know the last time a #2 ranked team lost by 34?

Faison1
11-07-2018, 12:18 AM
Just listened to Zion interview.....everyone is right: we've seen nothing like him before. I thought he might be like Elton Brand, but no. He and Elton are two totally different players.

gwlaw99
11-07-2018, 12:18 AM
Charlotte Observer headline. Zion, RJ, and Cam lose to Kentucky by 2. Need rest of team to pull out win.

pfrduke
11-07-2018, 12:18 AM
I want to bottle that game and crack it open for whenever I'm feeling down about basically anything. My goodness that was fun.

Also, I'm really excited for the Duke-UVA game - it will be fun to watch how this offense and Virginia's defense go against each other.

AGDukesky
11-07-2018, 12:18 AM
Chronicle headline suggestion: CATSRATED

Love it!


That was amazing to watch! My only complaint is that now my expectations are unreasonably high...

Papa John
11-07-2018, 12:19 AM
Chronicle headline suggestion: CATSRATED

Winner, winner... wildcat dinner!

But all kidding aside, let's all just keep in mind... UK is NOT a November team... (according to Calamari)

JBDuke
11-07-2018, 12:20 AM
Anyone know the last time a #2 ranked team lost by 34?

#1 Duke beat #2 Texas by 31 on Dec 11, 2005. Not quite 34, but still. I'm sure it's happened.

Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
11-07-2018, 12:20 AM
Been quiet for a while. All I can say is I hope Kentucky truly is the second best team in the nation.

ScreechTDX1847
11-07-2018, 12:20 AM
Anyone know the last time a #2 ranked team lost by 34?

I think a JJ Duke team beat #2 Texas by 30 in 2005/2006

CameronBlue
11-07-2018, 12:21 AM
Chronicle headline suggestion: CATSRATED

Duke Stomps Kentucky. Again!!

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 12:21 AM
Note to Calipari: Mike Krzyzewski is one man who probably doesn't appreciate being called a socialist (https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2018/1/23/16920854/kentucky-duke-recruiting-basketball-john-calipari-zion-williamson).

DukieInBrasil
11-07-2018, 12:21 AM
Was that the largest margin of victory ever between top 5 teams?

Coballs
11-07-2018, 12:22 AM
Where can we see the post-game presser? I can't wait to hear what Cal has to say about this one.

Papa John
11-07-2018, 12:23 AM
Where can we see the post-game presser? I can't wait to hear what Cal has to say about this one.

Puh-leeze... Cal is speechless... And I think he may be in concussion protocol after just watching that beatdown...

thedukelamere
11-07-2018, 12:24 AM
#1 Duke beat #2 Texas by 31 on Dec 11, 2005. Not quite 34, but still. I'm sure it's happened.

I was on my high horse as a college freshman and proclaimed I would take a shot for every JJ 3. I will never remember nor never forget that game.

RepoMan
11-07-2018, 12:24 AM
Wow. This year might be . . . Fun

dairedevil
11-07-2018, 12:26 AM
Wow. Just wow. I am afraid of what this has done to my expectations for this season. I need to step back, take a deep breath, and remember they are young, and it can’t be like this every game. (Can it?)

devildeac
11-07-2018, 12:27 AM
New bourbon in Kentucky will be called: Duke and it'll be 118 proof.

ice-9
11-07-2018, 12:28 AM
It's just one game guys...right? RIGHT?? Oh my goodness, I'm so excited for this season.

bundabergdevil
11-07-2018, 12:28 AM
Wow. This year might be . . . Fun

Yessir, that game wasn't natural. Even the JJ-TX game felt competive, JJ just kept hitting 3s. This game felt like our guys had collected all 6 of the infinity stones and KY just didn't know it. Domination!

gam7
11-07-2018, 12:29 AM
What a game. Put your post-game comments here.

Whoa. We are a handful. Jay Bilas said it: if we hit 3's like that, forget about it.

Equally impressive was that we looked pretty solid for Game 1 defensively playing man. Actually, I feel like we were at least as good playing man tonight as we have been in almost any game over the last two seasons! I'm sure the quants will break out the defensive efficiency stats to prove me wrong, but my eyes don't lie. (My memory might lie though.)

MarkD83
11-07-2018, 12:29 AM
I was worried about our defense and unfortunately Duke had to go to the zone in the first game of the year. :)

In all seriousness...the length of this team and the on the ball pressure was great. Bolden even had some good reads on the high pick and roll.

camion
11-07-2018, 12:29 AM
Wow, just WOW!! Great game.

That’s just about the closest we’ll ever see to five Patrick Davidsons on the court at once. 😀

dairedevil
11-07-2018, 12:30 AM
Bilas is having trouble describing what happened in this game and what these players are like.

My favorite, he is talking about Williamson, saying it’s the first time he’s seen him play in person. If someone asked him to describe Zion in three words, it would be, “ OH MY GOD!”

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 12:30 AM
Duke freshmen can't play defense. Also, these freshmen can't even shoot. Furthermore, they will certainly not be as good as some guy who played 3 years in the Pac-12.

duke4ever19
11-07-2018, 12:30 AM
I don't care what those angels have going on up there past those pearly gates, they better have ESPN so Al Featherston can watch this game.

UrinalCake
11-07-2018, 12:31 AM
I came into this game feeling skeptical and preparing for a loss. I’m truly astounded by how well we played. Defense was strong, offense was unstoppable. Our concerns for this team all summer were shooting, defense and leadership and we passed all of those with flying colors. So many positive things to take from the game but my favorite play has to be the grab-the-ball-our-of-the-air block by Zion followed by him dribbling the length of the court and threading a bounce pass through two defenders to Barrett for the and one. It was like playing a video game with a cheat code.

AGDukesky
11-07-2018, 12:33 AM
Freshmen all played with poise. Bolden was solid. Jack White was the glue guy .AOC played well despite being 9th man. Just wow!

TruBlu
11-07-2018, 12:33 AM
If there’s such a thing as a “WTF” loss, this must qualify as a “WTF” win . . . not because Duke won, but because of how they won and the margin of victory.

Wow.

DangerDevil
11-07-2018, 12:35 AM
Charlotte Observer headline. Zion, RJ, and Cam lose to Kentucky by 2. Need rest of team to pull out win.

If RJ would have played another minute they could have pulled it out!

KandG
11-07-2018, 12:36 AM
OK, let's start with the bad....uh, Javin still fouls too much.


I think that's it.

The freshmen were even more mind-blowing than I anticipated. Granted, Kentucky was super soft on defense, and the first game of the season is always going to be a mish mash of loosely structured offensive sets executed with mixed results, along with a whole lot of pickup type play when things get especially sloppy. You expect a team like ours with an overwhelming talent advantage to thrive in those conditions.

Still, that was incredible. But when things got ragged, it felt like Tre and especially Jack White were always there to stabilize things with a heady play on defense or retrieving a loose ball or offensive rebound. Was really encouraged by White and Bolden looking so improved. We're going to need them when better teams (or better coached teams at least) load up on our freshmen and/or they get in foul trouble.

I expect a really strong defensive team like Virginia will make things more interesting, and any team that has better three point shooting than Kentucky may give us some fits. I can't imagine we'll always shoot that well. But what a start to the season. On top of that, we look like we'll be a better defensive team this season based on the length we have on the wings and the way this team already seems to communicate well (unlike last season's group).

With that said, I remember how giddy I was when last season's group won their first tournament, then got blitzed at Boston College. So I'll temper my enthusiasm until I see more of them. But for now....WOW.

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 12:36 AM
There are no words. Think Bobby Knight at halftime of the final home game in 2010. "ruffles paper, declares game over, let's watch a movie instead"

To dominate Kentucky like that is the absolute best gift Duke could have given Al/Oly. Oh my. Domination. Beatdown.

This team is sooooo much fun to watch play. My favorite part of the game was Zion taking the ball out of the shooter's hand on defense, starting the fastbreak and hitting RJ with just a ridiculously difficult pass for the And-1 layup. That my friends was something very few humans could have pulled off. Nasty.

Shoutout to our 3 Juniors. You guys represented very well. I said we need Bolden to be good to achieve our highest goals and I still believe that. He looked confident and happy out there and I am super happy for the young man. Jack White. Superb role player. Our Juniors and Alex complement our freshman very well.

Our freshmen may be the best freshmen class ever. Better than the top 4 of the Fab Five. Seriously.

Buckle up boys and girls cause Here Comes Duke!!!!

34 point beat down of the Number 2 team in the Country on a Neutral Court. Wow.

devilsadvocate85
11-07-2018, 12:39 AM
Meaningless oddity of the night - score of both halves was 59 - 42. On second thought, pretty damn impressive.

neu_devil
11-07-2018, 12:39 AM
I came into this game feeling skeptical and preparing for a loss. I’m truly astounded by how well we played. Defense was strong, offense was unstoppable. Our concerns for this team all summer were shooting, defense and leadership and we passed all of those with flying colors. So many positive things to take from the game but my favorite play has to be the grab-the-ball-our-of-the-air block by Zion followed by him dribbling the length of the court and threading a bounce pass through two defenders to Barrett for the and one. It was like playing a video game with a cheat code.


And then on the replay a camera pan to calepari’s blank stare!

Oriole Way
11-07-2018, 12:43 AM
This is a special team. We've never had this level of NBA talent on a Duke team before. Just hope everyone can stay healthy.

I loved Jack White's play tonight. He's going to be a valuable role player and upperclassman leader on this team.

BLPOG
11-07-2018, 12:43 AM
New bourbon in Kentucky will be called: Duke and it'll be 118 proof.

Well, there is already one called Duke, 88 proof, named after good ol' Marion Morrison.

TruBlu
11-07-2018, 12:47 AM
New design for a Kentucky t-shirt:

“I still hate RJ, Zion, Cam, Tre, Jack, etc., etc.”

Trey21
11-07-2018, 12:49 AM
I hope this team can win a championship. At the very least they will be iconic.

They overwhelmed UK from the get go. Rare to see freshmen and a team this inexperience come out with that much purpose and poise (only 3 turnovers in the first half). Duke played so smart considering the pace. They legit look and felt like an NBA team with the way those threes were bombing.

This team has all the talent in the world, could be an all timer, but seeing RJ and Zion hype each other up, give me hope that this is a team of brothers. Credit to those two and Cam for realizing there is space for all them to showcase their skills and succeed.

You can see why these kids are picking Duke over UK. Coach K coached circles around Cal this game.

freshMEN.

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 12:51 AM
Whoa. We are a handful. Jay Bilas said it: if we hit 3's like that, forget about it.

Equally impressive was that we looked pretty solid for Game 1 defensively playing man. Actually, I feel like we were at least as good playing man tonight as we have been in almost any game over the last two seasons! I'm sure the quants will break out the defensive efficiency stats to prove me wrong, but my eyes don't lie. (My memory might lie though.)

KenPom hasn't updated with our game yet (as of the time of this post), but by my own calcs, Duke gave up about 1 point a possession to Kentucky.

Which is very good (but not great) defense considering Kentucky's talent (seriously -- they are a top 10 team, but Duke was just better tonight) and the fast-paced game that lends itself to easy transition buckets every now and then.

That's my take.

sweetchiba51
11-07-2018, 12:51 AM
One thing I took from the game is the team might be better with Zion playing the point. Who will guard him? He is quick enough to blow past guards off the dripple. No dis on Jones, but daaaaamn Zion is one heck of a player.

uh_no
11-07-2018, 12:52 AM
i don't hate basketball anymore

MarkD83
11-07-2018, 12:53 AM
34 point beat down of the Number 2 team in the Country on a Neutral Court. Wow.

It did not sound that neutral at the start of the game, but the crowd was really quiet after the first 10 mins.

BullBlue
11-07-2018, 12:53 AM
Wow, that may be the most fun I have ever had watching a ball game. Watched it at my son's house, and we realized near the end of the game, we both had sore hands from boisterous high fives every time Duke made a great play.

UrinalCake
11-07-2018, 12:56 AM
There are no words. Think Bobby Knight at halftime of the final home game in 2010. "ruffles paper, declares game over, let's watch a movie instead".

Did anyone else notice that at one point we were leading this game 82-50? And there was still 10 minutes left!

subzero02
11-07-2018, 12:57 AM
This is a special team. We've never had this level of NBA talent on a Duke team before. Just hope everyone can stay healthy.

I loved Jack White's play tonight. He's going to be a valuable role player and upperclassman leader on this team.

We did have a team that featured Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and Shane Battier. That's some serious NBA talent that had staying power. I don't think our current freshmen can lay claim to the greatest assemblage of NBA talent yet.

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 12:57 AM
Because of all the OADs, Duke is destined to start slowly but by the end of the season, we'll be really competitive with anyone. Watch out Kansas and Kentucky!

Also, because this is still football season, I see no reason to pay attention to this men's basketball team all that much. Call me when our bowl game ends.

subzero02
11-07-2018, 12:59 AM
Did anyone else notice that at one point we were leading this game 82-50? And there was still 10 minutes left!

I noted it during the in game thread...

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 01:00 AM
Did anyone else notice that at one point we were leading this game 82-50? And there was still 10 minutes left!

Good catch UC! I missed that. I was at the Notre Dame game with CDu a few years back when we ran them out of the gym. That game had a 82-50 score as well. I remember taking a picture of the scoreboard I still have somewhere.

gam7
11-07-2018, 01:01 AM
KenPom hasn't updated with our game yet (as of the time of this post), but by my own calcs, Duke gave up about 1 point a possession to Kentucky.

Which is very good (but not great) defense considering Kentucky's talent (seriously -- they are a top 10 team, but Duke was just better tonight) and the fast-paced game that lends itself to easy transition buckets every now and then.

That's my take.

But I can't think of a game over the last two years in which we've played what I would call "very good" man-to-man defense. We've had some good stretches with zone, but man has been a disaster.

brlftz
11-07-2018, 01:02 AM
Chronicle headline suggestion: CATSRATED

My daughter suggested "CHILDcats"

Edouble
11-07-2018, 01:06 AM
Great game!

Score in both halves was 59-42.

So happy to have a player like Tre Jones leading the way. I can't remember us wanting to run this much since probably 2001, when we had two point guards. We have four guys this year that can lead the break.

Our bigs and Zion need to watch their fouls. Still can't believe Javin walked when he was wide open, three feet from the basket. But really not much to complain about for the first game of the year with five new starters.

gam7
11-07-2018, 01:11 AM
KenPom hasn't updated with our game yet (as of the time of this post), but by my own calcs, Duke gave up about 1 point a possession to Kentucky.

Which is very good (but not great) defense considering Kentucky's talent (seriously -- they are a top 10 team, but Duke was just better tonight) and the fast-paced game that lends itself to easy transition buckets every now and then.

That's my take.

Kenpom is up. Your PPP estimate was spot on - 1.02 - but our adjusted defensive efficiency was 89.6, which would have been good for #3 adj def eff in the country last year behind UVa and Cincy.

Utley
11-07-2018, 01:17 AM
That was surreal. There are top three freshmen and there are top three freshman.

It felt like three guys from the NBA snuck onto a college game - just unfair. How do you keep your expectations in line after watching that? Reminds me of the 99 team - with a chance to get the being right this time.

Our number one opponent is health.

Thanks for a tantalizing start to the season.

Native
11-07-2018, 01:18 AM
Did anyone else notice that at one point we were leading this game 82-50? And there was still 10 minutes left!

We also palindrome'd them at 74-47. Great night.

kako
11-07-2018, 01:21 AM
5 thoughts:

1. Wow. Wow. Wow.

2. Barrett just seemed to score at will. So impressed with him. It was one thing to do it in pre-season, but this was against UK. 33 in his first game ever was historic, but Duke's overall game seemed to overshadow it.

3. Zion's power is obvious, but his nimbleness and ball-handling for a guy his size is truly amazing. Loved his drives from the top of the key.

4. Reddish as a *third* option in the offense? The semi-recent high scoring trio of Smith, Scheyer and Singler have a huge run for their money.

5. Jones looks like his brother. Was a bit worried when he went out after knocking knees, but he looks everything as advertised.

And one extra:

6. Can the Devils go more than 8 deep this year? DeLaurier, White and O'Connell certainly look capable (I know it's one game, particularly for O'Connell). Can someone else step up? And would K go with a deeper rotation?

I love beating UK.

So glad college hoops are back.

9F

Billy Dat
11-07-2018, 01:26 AM
Aside from March/April, It doesn’t get much better than that...absolutely smashing Kentucky on a huge stage.

We’ve got some dudes.

gam7
11-07-2018, 01:31 AM
Based on Kenpom, there is only one game in the last three seasons in which we played at a faster pace than tonight. And if you can name the opponent in that game without looking, I'll be very surprised. I'll give you a hint: it was Boston College (2017).

DukieTiger
11-07-2018, 01:36 AM
Kenpom is up. Your PPP estimate was spot on - 1.02 - but our adjusted defensive efficiency was 89.6, which would have been good for #3 adj def eff in the country last year behind UVa and Cincy.

It’s amazing to say about a game against Kentucky, but the final PPP were not indicative of Duke’s defensive performance. This is usually true against teams like Elon... tonight, there were 5+ minutes of garbage time where UK surpassed 1 PPP.

Not only that, but the primary reason for any efficiency out of UK tonight was their free throw rate - which was a ridiculous ~ .65 - meaning that for every 3 shots from the field, UK was taking 2 free throws.

So a good defensive performance but far from Duke’s peak, methinks.

TNTDevil
11-07-2018, 02:00 AM
#1 Duke beat #2 Texas by 31 on Dec 11, 2005. Not quite 34, but still. I'm sure it's happened.Was the day of my mom's cremation memorial, I had to leave for the service at the under-12 time-out in the first half. When I saw the final I was stunned.

subzero02
11-07-2018, 02:02 AM
Great game!

Score in both halves was 59-42.

So happy to have a player like Tre Jones leading the way. I can't remember us wanting to run this much since probably 2001, when we had two point guards. We have four guys this year that can lead the break.

Our bigs and Zion need to watch their fouls. Still can't believe Javin walked when he was wide open, three feet from the basket. But really not much to complain about for the first game of the year with five new starters.

I can't agree more. He was so good on the break that it's hard to believe he's a freshman. 7 assists 0 turnovers...

mr. synellinden
11-07-2018, 02:39 AM
I can't agree more. He was so good on the break that it's hard to believe he's a freshman. 7 assists 0 turnovers...

Duke had 4 turnovers as a team. With that pace (82 possessions), starting four freshmen in the first game of the season against the supposed #2 team in the country, that is an astounding stat. The only hiccup in our play was when Zion went to the bench with 2 fouls for about 5 minutes. But with him, RJ and Reddish on the wings and Tre controlling the game the way he did tonight, we are impossible to guard.

White is a player. Loved his toughness and edge - exactly what this team needs.

Cannot believe those guys are freshmen. They confidence and swagger - love the body language and the way they play together.

Wow.

PackMan97
11-07-2018, 02:47 AM
LOLOLOLOL! What an epic LOL!

I am bathing in the tears of Wildcats tonight. Thank you! now do that to the Tarheels and I don't care what horrible things you guys do to my beloved Pack. Just a full season of that will be worth the price. It was beautiful.

fuse
11-07-2018, 06:28 AM
Woke up this morning as if from a fever dream.
I’m not sure it is in any way possible today to temper my wildly unrealistic fan expectations for this team.

Holy smokes was that game a thing of beauty to watch.

WVDUKEFAN
11-07-2018, 06:31 AM
I saw in a lot of good defense last night. As great as the dunks were, the defense had my attention.

curtis325
11-07-2018, 06:59 AM
but we can't really tell much about the Duke team based on an early season blowout of a cupcake opponent.

When do the real games start?

dukelifer
11-07-2018, 07:04 AM
Cam, Zion and RJ all looked liked pros playing against high schoolers. Not sure that will happen every game but it was a spectacular display. What was better IMO was how the other guys blended. Marques played big and confidently, AOC was hitting from deep - but Tre and Jack were rocks. Tre managed the O like a senior and Jack was the best rebounder out there- getting key bounds in traffic. I am not expecting anything like this every game but the shooting was other- worldly. RJs stroke looked much better and we are starting to see a healthy Cam. If the D can continue to improve- this should be a team that can deal with a bad game from one or two of the big three. A long season and Freshman need to learn to pace themselves but much to savor from this group.

BD80
11-07-2018, 07:05 AM
Well, that escalated quickly. Poor calipari, he brought a knife to a gun fight.



We also palindrome'd them at 74-47. Great night.


I think appropriate tense in the situation would be palindrummed

SCMatt33
11-07-2018, 07:07 AM
Lol. I had this crazy dream last night that they started the basketball season a few days early and Duke beat the living snot out of Kentucky. It was so bad they started practicing zone near the end because they could. I know, I’m crazy, right?

Seriously, I think the most insane part of that is that I’m perusing the box score and the only team stat I can find that’s crazy “well they can’t do that again” good is only having 4 turnovers in an 83 possession game. It wasn’t like Duke shot 60% from 3 or 70% from the field, or had 40 FT’s to 10 for UK. They didn’t outreboind them by 25 or force 20+ turnovers. They just soundly won every facet of the game while making it look like they were playing a cupcake.

lotusland
11-07-2018, 07:09 AM
Great game!

Score in both halves was 59-42.

So happy to have a player like Tre Jones leading the way. I can't remember us wanting to run this much since probably 2001, when we had two point guards. We have four guys this year that can lead the break.

Our bigs and Zion need to watch their fouls. Still can't believe Javin walked when he was wide open, three feet from the basket. But really not much to complain about for the first game of the year with five new starters.

Yeah Zion had a look on his face like “dude you ruined a beautiful assist!”

DukeDevil
11-07-2018, 07:10 AM
Some choice comments from the reddit thread on this that had me rolling:
“How do I delete a game?”

“The Freshman are overhyped”
(Morgan freeman) “they were not overhyped”

Indiana fan “holy S, we’re gonna get murdered”

“Don’t let be score fool you, the game wasn’t that close”

Kentucky fan “I hadn’t smoked a cigarette in years”

“WE WANT DUKE”
...
(In football) - Alabama fan

“So which NBA stars did these guys steal their powers from?”

I’m trying not to laugh out loud in this is meeting

YmoBeThere
11-07-2018, 07:17 AM
Marques looked like he was having fun, that was missing before. Look forward to more of that.

Cam had 22 points. A relatively quiet 22. Deadly at the line.

The only thing stat wise, inconsequential in this game, was 59% free throw shooting by the rest of the team

arnie
11-07-2018, 07:26 AM
Anyone know the last time a #2 ranked team lost by 34?

According to seaofblue (couldn’t help it) the No. 2 team lost by more in 1951.

camion
11-07-2018, 07:28 AM
Based on Kenpom, there is only one game in the last three seasons in which we played at a faster pace than tonight. And if you can name the opponent in that game without looking, I'll be very surprised. I'll give you a hint: it was Boston College (2017).

Okay I'll take a crack at it: it was Virginia (Never).

DarkstarWahoo
11-07-2018, 07:29 AM
So, looking like a relative down year for you folks, huh?

Utley
11-07-2018, 07:35 AM
So, looking like a relative down year for you folks, huh?

If anyone called this - it was you - kudos to you. This offense against the UVA defensive will be fascinating to watch.

DarkstarWahoo
11-07-2018, 07:40 AM
I have no idea who checks Zion for UVA. Hunter and Key aren’t nearly as strong as him, and everyone else is too small or way too slow. And then you have to deal with Reddish and Barrett.

I don’t know how good Kentucky is, but they’re sure not a cupcake. Those freshmen y’all have are extremely real.

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 07:42 AM
but we can't really tell much about the Duke team based on an early season blowout of a cupcake opponent.

When do the real games start?

Hoping to squeeze in a trip to Wofford so the team can really get tested.....

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 07:43 AM
I don’t know why y’all are so excited about us smoking a football school.

Duke76
11-07-2018, 07:46 AM
KenPom hasn't updated with our game yet (as of the time of this post), but by my own calcs, Duke gave up about 1 point a possession to Kentucky.

Which is very good (but not great) defense considering Kentucky's talent (seriously -- they are a top 10 team, but Duke was just better tonight) and the fast-paced game that lends itself to easy transition buckets every now and then.

That's my take.

looked at the Kansas MSU highlights and I will say both those teams appear to have physically stronger, more mature bodies than KU. So there are teams in our way that will present more of a challenge this year but I was encouraged by the way the guys moved laterally defensively.....our offense will be mostly unstoppable...but defense is where we will deflate teams over a game...promising start for sure

Dukeblue91
11-07-2018, 07:47 AM
OMG is all I can say.
This was the most fun I had watching bb in some time.
The look on Kentucky players faces was priceless.
If any of you get a chance look at +/- of this game.
Just amazing.
It also bears repeating but Zion is otherworldly.

Saratoga2
11-07-2018, 07:57 AM
Being an old guy and also with a softball game this morning, I only watched the first half while recording the rest. I was amazed at how eassily Duke scored. Kentucky may not be as good as their initial rating but they for certain are not as bad as we made them look. Loved seeing the pained expression on Calipari's face.

I surprised the Pavlov references haven't surfaced. The NBA coaches must be salivating over our freshman class. Of course the big three get well deserved credit, but Tre was also great with ball security, floor vision, defensive pressure and he looks for his team mates first. He can and will score as needed.

Several people predicted Jack White would get a lot of minutes this year and they were right. Thirty last night based on his defense and rebounding. He is a tough kid and by the way, he can shoot as well.

AOC will have trouble getting minutes on this team, but we know he can shoot the ball. He seems to have gained a few pounds and looks a little more defined. With this team, we are goingt to have the lead a lot and AOC will get his chances.

Our back line is strong enough and servicable. Just stay out of foul trouble and who will beatt us? Maybe that is a little optimistic as Villanova, Kansas and the like may play a lot better defense. Remains to be seen.

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 08:11 AM
I perused the forum Cats Illustrated for about 5 minutes. There was a thread titled "Did Duke Pay Zion" or some such. It was interesting, there were a few whiners who assume Duke did...but pretty fair amount of UK fans saying get over it, we got crushed, and Duke nor UK has to pay players - or words to that effect.

whereinthehellami
11-07-2018, 08:18 AM
Holy smokes, what a game. Duke out rebounded UK and had more production from the their bench. Those were two areas that pretty much everyone agreed UK had the advantage. Thanks Mr. White!

Loved seeing a pained Cal on the big screen after his comments on Coach K this summer. You poke a blue devil you get the horns.

Have another cup of coffee and enjoy the UK game thread (https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/official-game-thread.278112/page-2)!!

MChambers
11-07-2018, 08:27 AM
I came into this game feeling skeptical and preparing for a loss. I’m truly astounded by how well we played. Defense was strong, offense was unstoppable. Our concerns for this team all summer were shooting, defense and leadership and we passed all of those with flying colors. So many positive things to take from the game but my favorite play has to be the grab-the-ball-our-of-the-air block by Zion followed by him dribbling the length of the court and threading a bounce pass through two defenders to Barrett for the and one. It was like playing a video game with a cheat code.

That play reminded me of a block Elton had in 2000 against a Maryland big, where he just took the ball away. Of course, he didn't then dribble up the floor and throw a 30 foot bounce pass.

mattman91
11-07-2018, 08:29 AM
has anyone mentioned the 10 steals yet? 4 by Cam. Wow.

MChambers
11-07-2018, 08:32 AM
So, looking like a relative down year for you folks, huh?

There still will be a WTF loss. Count on it.

BLPOG
11-07-2018, 08:32 AM
I wonder how UK reacts to the game in terms of setting their course for the season.

Do they say "here's to forgetting that ever happened" or do they say "let's remember, so no team can do it again?"

BeachBlueDevil
11-07-2018, 08:40 AM
I don't know how to process what I saw last night still. Like, I can't remember Duke totally dominating a fellow blue blood program like that in a loooooong time.... If ever.

This Duke team is going to be special and hard to beat. Zion and RJ are players that look to be head and shoulders above everyone else, Cam Reddish can shoot and slash, Tre Jones is the point guard this team has needed since Tyus left, and the play of the four of them should it stay consistent all year will only boost Bolden, Javin, Jack and Alex.

The sky REALLY seems to be the limit with these fellas based on the sample size of the Canadian tour, two exhibitions, and last night domination of PayPal Cal and the 'Cats.

Researchc
11-07-2018, 08:42 AM
I'm so glad to get past these first 3 exhibition games. A win against Kentucky State University is not my idea of a quality wi... Wait... That was the University of Kentucky?!! The team that was ranked higher than us and Vegas had as the favorite to win the game?

Barring injuries, this team had the chance to do something special. I've never seen a team so cohesive in the first game... let alone a team led by 4 freshman. Number 6 is definitely a possibility.

DevilHorse
11-07-2018, 08:47 AM
Driving in this morning, trying to find some chatter on last night's game, all I could find was a run-down of scores on WFAN-NY. The 20-20 reporter ran down the local college hoop scores (Syracuse is local to NYC of course). Then the Kansas score, and after a pregnant pause, an uptick in emphasis from the stoic scores, "and number two Kentucky was KILLED by Duke 118-84". You rarely hear that word in used.

Duke will surely move up to #2 this week if not #1 in the polls. Bigger swings in movement earlier in the year, and last night's win was more of an eye opener than was that of Kansas. Duke called off the dogs (cats and horses) with 10 minutes to go.

The shot clock never appeared to come into play for either team; except perhaps when Duke slowed things down at the end. This added to the pace/enjoyment of the game.

I seem to recall last year that early games had a lot of whistles as the referees had points of emphasis on fouls that they wanted to make with the players. They were a bit more frugal with the calls later in the season (in general). It seemed like early in the game players might be destined to foul out, but fortunately/surprisingly no one did. It felt like Zion had about 10 fouls, or when there was a whistle, my eyes went to him to see if he was reacting.

Kentucky shot 38 (73%) free throws to our 29 (69%) last night. Barrett missed 4 of the 9 we missed. Needs to go to the Kenny Dennard school of Free Throw repair.
Duke had one more rebound than Kentucky, but then with 20 more shots and 17 more FGs, there weren't a lot of balls to rebound :D

Zion highlight was #8 on the SCtop10 last night! The snatch of the shot, dribble and super pass to RJ for the and 1 finish.

Larry
DevilHorse

ncexnyc
11-07-2018, 09:03 AM
Add me to the, "I never saw that coming" club.

I pretty much expected to see Zion and RJ play the way they did, but Cam was a very pleasant surprise. We've heard about how he can disappear for long stretches of a game, but last night he was really solid from start to finish.

Mr. Bolden was rock solid and showed why he's such a vital piece of the puzzle. He was a steady anchor on the back line. A few more games like that and no one will remember the Canadian tour.

You've got to love Jack White. We got a glimpse of what he was capable of last year when he remade his body and this year he obviously put work into his shot. Jack is this team's glue guy.

I wasn't sure Tre would be able to duplicate what his brother brought to the table, but he clearly has the chops to be just as good as Tyus was. The kid didn't force anything, plays solid on ball defense, and knows when to pick his spot.

I'm not sure how much we'll get to see of Javin, Alex, and Jordan this year. All three are solid players and would get solid minutes on most teams, but the flexibility of Zion, RJ, and Cam will make it hard for any of them to get big minutes.

Of course this is just one game and it's a long season, but right now it's really hard to curb my expectations.

ndkjr70
11-07-2018, 09:04 AM
Hard to put into words how much I enjoyed that game last night. It's early, but this offense can be special.

1.49 points per possession. That's more than any team scored against any power conference opponent last year, and this was a bunch of freshman playing their first real game together -- against the number two team in the country.

Crazy.

House P
11-07-2018, 09:15 AM
Here is a fun tidbit which my help describe the talent disparity we saw last night.

In the final RSCI recruit rankings, Tyler Herro and Joey Baker were ranked 35 and 37, respectively.

Tyler Herro led Kentucky in minutes played last night. Joey Baker is (probably) going to redshirt for Duke.

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 09:16 AM
The reddit thread is freaking spit out your coffee funny......

Here's the best of many great comments, this from a Florida Gulf Coast fan:

I had to change my stream from this game to Pornhub when my mom walked in to prevent her the shame of seeing me witnessing this absolute assblasting

Lord Ash
11-07-2018, 09:33 AM
That was SO MUCH FUN.

Our ability to penetrate is just ungodly. I don't think UK played terrible D... I just think there aren't many people who will be able to stop RJ, Zion, and, to an extent, Cam. A lot of UK fans are pissed at their D, but I think they ran into a team that has three players of a sort that most teams only have one of.

Cannot speak highly enough of Jack White. I mean, his box score was amazing, but he was actually BETTER than his box score! He had a solid four or so hustle plays that resulted in a Duke rebound or stop that won't show up there. It was great, because it added a certain foundation for the young guys to build on, gave them a bit of a cushion.

Tre looks like Tyus out there. Completely cool. I've never, ever, EVER felt so comfortable with a PG who is playing his first real game. Thank god for Momma Jones! If we win a title, it's because of Tre.

Zion is unreal. And it isn't his dunking. It's his body control, its his quickness, its his bounce passes, its his joy and exuberance.

Love to see Marques really stepping up. Hedges SO well, quick feet. Hard to contain Travis. If Ques can give us what we need from him (not become an all star- just give us what we need) that will be huge.

What a great, great, GREAT game. Could not have enjoyed that more.

uh_no
11-07-2018, 09:36 AM
under appreciated stat:

0 turnovers to 7 assists.

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 09:40 AM
under appreciated stat:

0 turnovers to 7 assists.

Yup.

And Duke as a team:

22 assists
4 turnovers

That is absurd for such a young team. Unselfish but not reckless.

We're gonna be hard to beat with a team A:TO ratio of 5.5:1.

(Kentucky for comparison had 17 assists to 15 turnovers)

J4Kop99
11-07-2018, 09:41 AM
The Midterm Massacre.


-Of all of the reasons to be excited after last night, Tre Jones' composure ranks #1 on my list. I loved watching his brother play at Duke. Tre looks to be cut from the same cloth. A dynamic PG that can control pace and tempo is a hard thing to find. And a beautiful thing to watch.

DarkstarWahoo
11-07-2018, 09:42 AM
I may need to revise my Zion comparison from yesterday. He's Jadeveon Clowney with a 40-inch vertical and a jump shot.

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 09:43 AM
I may need to revise my Zion comparison from yesterday. He's Jadeveon Clowney with a 40-inch vertical and a jump shot.

I think of Barry Sanders.

Whatever the comparison, it's still hard to wrap my mind around it.

DarkstarWahoo
11-07-2018, 09:46 AM
Let me say this...while it's just one game, this Duke team appears to be a cut above even the previous great recruiting classes K has gotten. And I think a lot of UVA fans think this is Tony's best team yet. Let's all give thanks that Greensboro saw fit to let them play each other twice.

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 09:46 AM
I have no idea who checks Zion for UVA. Hunter and Key aren’t nearly as strong as him, and everyone else is too small or way too slow. And then you have to deal with Reddish and Barrett.

I don’t know how good Kentucky is, but they’re sure not a cupcake. Those freshmen y’all have are extremely real.

And recall my response to one of your earlier posts:


I am completely with you on this. We are definitely tempering expectations.

While we do that, we are all secretly thinking about that mythical 40-0 season, because really....the potential top 3 picks in the next NBA draft, plus a legit pass-first, quality on-ball defending PG? Are you freaking kidding me?

After seeing last night's game, it will become ever more difficult to temper expectations.

jv001
11-07-2018, 09:47 AM
Here is a fun tidbit which my help describe the talent disparity we saw last night.

In the final RSCI recruit rankings, Tyler Herro and Joey Baker were ranked 35 and 37, respectively.

Tyler Herro led Kentucky in minutes played last night. Joey Baker is (probably) going to redshirt for Duke.

As I read through all the posts, I was thinking the same thing. In a blow out like this one, it seems that Coach K must be considering it.

Only negatives were foul shooting and Javin's travel. Well his reverting back to foul trouble is another negative. I had hoped he would have improved in that area of his game. But the other guys really stepped it up. It was like watching an NBA team out there. It should be a fun season. GoDuke!

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 09:52 AM
Let me say this...while it's just one game, this Duke team appears to be a cut above even the previous great recruiting classes K has gotten. And I think a lot of UVA fans think this is Tony's best team yet. Let's all give thanks that Greensboro saw fit to let them play each other twice.

Those will definitely be great clashes of incredible forces meeting immovable objects. It's one thing for Duke to beat a team that wants to run with us -- turns out that may not be a good strategy. It's another thing for us to play a disciplined half-court game with long possessions, against an extremely well-coached team.

Edouble
11-07-2018, 09:54 AM
That play reminded me of a block Elton had in 2000 against a Maryland big, where he just took the ball away. Of course, he didn't then dribble up the floor and throw a 30 foot bounce pass.

The '99 team has reared its head twice in this thread already and to pick a nit, Elton was in the NBA by the year 2000.

But a good call. Watching Zion last night , I thought of that play too. Brand absolutely just took the ball from Obina Ekize (sp?). It was borderline offensive and just plain nasty. We handed Maryland an epic beat down in Cole very early in the 98'-'99 ACC season, following a lot of woofing from their fans and their team that Maryland (with Steve Francis) was finally better than Duke.

That game quieted things down a bit.

azzefkram
11-07-2018, 10:00 AM
I really didn't know what to expect coming into this game but I'm fairly sure it wasn't that. Duke pantsed the #2 team in the country. What a great performance. It has been a while since I've been this pleasantly exhausted after watching a basketball game. Great game by the freshman. Jack was spectacular. Bolden played very well. Alex had a nice game.

I'll admit to a certain amount of glee seeing Cal's dumbfounded expression for much of the game.

whereinthehellami
11-07-2018, 10:08 AM
Comment from UK site in game thread...

"Zion going to throw a bucket of confetti?"

UrinalCake
11-07-2018, 10:09 AM
Here is a fun tidbit which my help describe the talent disparity we saw last night.

In the final RSCI recruit rankings, Tyler Herro and Joey Baker were ranked 35 and 37, respectively.

Tyler Herro led Kentucky in minutes played last night. Joey Baker is (probably) going to redshirt for Duke.

After EJ Montgomery committed to Kentucky, some recruiting services put their incoming class above ours (largely an artifact of having more total players). The thought that our class would be #2 is so absurdly laughable I can barely even type it. There is a high chance this goes down as the greatest recruiting class in history. Meanwhile, I bet Montgomery is regretting his decision big time.

bluenorth
11-07-2018, 10:21 AM
Wow, that was fun! Wish I was going to Maui, with the possibility of a Duke vs Gonzaga game. Might as well play all of the top teams early and settle any discussion about who's number 1. Think Kansas would dare to visit Cameron?

scottdude8
11-07-2018, 10:22 AM
Since there were so many obvious positive takeaways from last night, I thought it would be worth highlighting a few of the "under the radar" things I noticed that bode well for this team moving forward:

This has been discussed, but it bears repeating: Jack White has become a legit "glue guy" that can proivde 15-20 minutes of solid contributions off the bench.
Despite foul trouble, borth Marques and Javin provided legitimate rim protection when they were in the game, which was one of the potential weaknesses people saw in this team early in the season. With them playing at that level defensively and on the glass I'm not as worried as I was previously about how we'll match up defensively against teams with a more traditional, bruising 5.
The fact that Coach K felt comfortable putting in Vrank and Goldwire in the first half, in my mind, is not insignificant. It means that even though we're definitely looking at a 7.5 man rotation (with Alex being that .5, I imagine his PT will depend largely on if his shot is on and what the matchup is), the fact that K is confident that Vrank and Goldwire can give us positive minutes off the bench WILL come into play at some point this year, be it due to injury, fatigue, or foul trouble.
Obviously Tre played fantastic (in any normal situation a freshman PG playing like he did would be a top story), but I was surprised that when he was off the floor I didn't see a huge drop off in our ball movement offensively. It looks like Cam and R.J. are capable of serving as backup PGs well enough that we won't need to force Tre into playing 38 minutes a night.
The way we broke down the 2-3 with ease (RJ at the free throw line was just beautiful) bodes well considering a lot of teams who can't match up with us physically are going to be forced to consider playing zone.
On the other side of things I liked that K used the blowout to get some practice in with our own 2-3 zone. The length in that zone could cause a lot of teams problems... especially if you consider putting Zion in the middle of it.

All those factors are the type of things that can make a good team great, and a great team transcendent. Obviously it's game one, but personally II think the development of factors like these develop in the non-conference schedule will be a better bellwether of how far this team will go in March than how many points we score. And so far so good :)

devildeac
11-07-2018, 10:34 AM
Let me say this...while it's just one game, this Duke team appears to be a cut above even the previous great recruiting classes K has gotten. And I think a lot of UVA fans think this is Tony's best team yet. Let's all give thanks that Greensboro saw fit to let them play each other twice.

I'll agree with your last point but, OTOH, I'll give zero thanks to Greensboro for only scheduling the cheats to play UVa once. :mad:

Reddevil
11-07-2018, 10:42 AM
Barrett Won't be denied and Williamson can't be. RJ takes the ball to the rim knowing contact is coming - takes the contact and scores, often resulting in an "and one". How do you stop that?

In a second half sequence, Zion slowly brings the ball up lulling them to sleep, then explodes to the rim and dunks it. I laughed out loud at the audacity and the athleticism of that act. How do you stop that?

I only have a few concerns. That was one game. Is this really the way it is going to be? If so, this team looks similar to the 1991 UNLV bunch. So dominant, but could be had by a special team in the dance. On the other hand, that Duke team was shellacked the year before and that played into it. Like the rest of you, I am pleasantly shell shocked if that can even be a thing. It is hard to process last night. Loved K's presser though. "March?!! These kids are freshman. What do they know about March? I'm hoping they know something about Army this weekend!" Brings back memories of Jim Mora, "Playoffs?!!........Playoffs?!"

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 10:53 AM
What to do, what to do. Focus my limited time on reading articles about how great we are. Or read Kentucky's forums for schadenfreude. Why aren't there more than 24 hours in a day?

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 10:55 AM
ESPN First Take with the hot take. After one game already asking the question: can this team go undefeated? Crazy talk after on game, but that's how dominating it was last night. Let's hope it wasn't just lightning in a bottle.

Stephen A Smith is drooling. And he thought this is a tournament because he said something about "if Duke beats Kansas tonight." He did throw shade Jalen Rose's way, with Jalen's wife at the table.

Max Kellerman made a salient point: (paraphrased) "When every player on a team has the ability to take their defender and score, the temptation will be to keep the ball. For Duke to go undefeated, they will need to keep the ball moving, keep passing"

Billy Dat
11-07-2018, 10:56 AM
Cannot speak highly enough of Jack White. I mean, his box score was amazing, but he was actually BETTER than his box score! He had a solid four or so hustle plays that resulted in a Duke rebound or stop that won't show up there. It was great, because it added a certain foundation for the young guys to build on, gave them a bit of a cushion.

He was amazing last night. K called him out in the presser:

"Really, the untold hero, I think, of our team was Jack White. Jack had 11 rebounds and guarded Herro and just played tough, just played really tough."

ChillinDuke
11-07-2018, 10:56 AM
I'm not entirely sure what to type right now. But I feel obligated to at least participate in the post-game thread of potentially the most complete and dominant Duke performance I have ever witnessed.

- Chillin

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 10:56 AM
What to do, what to do. Focus my limited time on reading articles about how great we are. Or read Kentucky's forums for schadenfreude. Why aren't there more than 24 hours in a day?

Or do the work I am getting paid to do?!

camion
11-07-2018, 10:57 AM
Paraphrasing someone, I don't know whom:

During the season a team will have 5 games where everything goes right, 5 games where everything goes wrong and the rest of the games somewhere in the middle.

Last night used up two of the "everything goes right" games.


That said, we can be really good this year and I am still in awe of the Zion block, run out and bounce pass play. I mean, who does that?

I also want to give a shout out to Marques. I loved his energy last night. And his pass fake and dunk on the in bounds play was beautiful.

WVDUKEFAN
11-07-2018, 11:01 AM
Holy smokes, what a game. Duke out rebounded UK and had more production from the their bench. Those were two areas that pretty much everyone agreed UK had the advantage. Thanks Mr. White!

Loved seeing a pained Cal on the big screen after his comments on Coach K this summer. You poke a blue devil you get the horns.

Have another cup of coffee and enjoy the UK game thread (https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/official-game-thread.278112/page-2)!!

I would encourage everyone to take a minute and look at this thread... It's beautiful. I can't describe in words how beautiful it is. It's like I'm looking through the screen and watching everyone of them deflate and their butts pucker. They knew they'd been had 2:00 minutes into the game!!

flyingdutchdevil
11-07-2018, 11:09 AM
I'm not entirely sure what to type right now. But I feel obligated to at least participate in the post-game thread of potentially the most complete and dominant Duke performance I have ever witnessed.

- Chillin

This is my 16th season as a crazed Duke fan (freshman year). And this is, easily, a top 3 most satisfying win. Not important win. Not value of entertainment win. But satisfying win.

Completely and utterly surpassed expectations + destroying a top 5 team + destroying a non-conference rival + rooting for a likable team = satisfying.

Wow....wow....

devildeac
11-07-2018, 11:10 AM
Ah, joys and wonders of peaking in November...

<ducks>

Seriously, I've got the morning off today (after a quiet night of call and no adult beverages) and still SMH about what transpired last PM with our completely amazing display of basketball on a "neutral" court with 3/4 of the attendees cheering against us with 4 freshman on the big stage for the first time. Stunning.

fidel
11-07-2018, 11:15 AM
Its over.

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 11:17 AM
Ah, joys and wonders of peaking in November...

<ducks>

Seriously, I've got the morning off today (after a quiet night of call and no adult beverages) and still SMH about what transpired last PM with our completely amazing display of basketball on a "neutral" court with 3/4 of the attendees cheering against us with 4 freshman on the big stage for the first time. Stunning.

I remain convinced that the 91-92 team peaked in November or December....the real peak of that team was the first 30 minutes of that St. Johns game. I can't remember if it were Nov or Dec. They were never quite that good again - but they were so much better than anyone else, they won the Natty while past their peak.

But that was almost a complete defending champion team returning. Last night? Wow, something else.

brlftz
11-07-2018, 11:17 AM
I'm incredibly happy about what this game revealed about what we can accomplish, but Derek Williams and the Arizona Wildcats are here to remind us that sometimes a good team can run another good team out of the building. It doesn't necessarily mean anything more than this is what it looks like when everything is going right for you and wrong for them at the same time. We hit 46% from three last night, they went 4-17. If we consistently shoot nearly 50% on threes, we would be pretty tough to beat, but I doubt that's what we'll do.

So for me, what I've learned is that, in addition to having the most talented starting lineup in the country, we also have freshmen that appear to be ready to play on the big stage, and have good chemistry on the court. We didn't look nervous, we looked like we couldn't wait to get out there. Pretty exciting, because those things make it so much more likely that we'll be able to play to our potential this season, something our most recent star-studded one and done lineups haven't been able to do.

KenTankerous
11-07-2018, 11:23 AM
Even the hardcore Card fans are telling me my DUKE hoodie and '15 natty hat are mean today. Be it what it may, this matters to basketball fans. This scares the bejezzus out of erybody.

"It's one early season game"

Really CatFan?!?! It wasn't to you yesterday. Ha.

This, this is one of the days I love being a Blue Devil fan in Cat/Card country.

DukieInKansas
11-07-2018, 11:30 AM
Even the hardcore Card fans are telling me my DUKE hoodie and '15 natty hat are mean today. Be it what it may, this matters to basketball fans. This scares the bejezzus out of erybody.

"It's one early season game"

Really CatFan?!?! It wasn't to you yesterday. Ha.

This, this is one of the days I love being a Blue Devil fan in Cat/Card country.

Wear the correct shade of blue proudly as you walk around in the Land of the Missing D and E. :D

LasVegas
11-07-2018, 11:33 AM
A couple thoughts:

1) For just about every game Duke will have the three best players on the court and they will all be around top 5 picks. The talent is there and it’s real.

2) How good is Kentucky? Probably still a top 5 team but we won’t know the answer to this for awhile.

3) The roles for Duke seem to be set and every player seems to have bought in. This is absolutely huge and I have always said this is the most important “trait” a team can have. DEFINED ROLES where EVERYONE buys in.

Tripping William
11-07-2018, 11:34 AM
I didn’t see that the team used Al Featherston’s initials last night, so I will.

That was awesome AF

That was nasty AF

That was sick AF

That was satisfying AF

That was fun AF

:D

BD80
11-07-2018, 11:37 AM
If anyone called this - it was you - kudos to you. This offense against the UVA defensive will be fascinating to watch.


Zion v packline defense brings to mind 16# bowling ball v 10 pins. It will definitely test the resolve of the pins to reset.




I may need to revise my Zion comparison from yesterday. He's Jadeveon Clowney with a 40-inch vertical and a jump shot.


The number 45 was being tossed around

SavDukeGrad
11-07-2018, 11:41 AM
Wow! Just Wow! That was so much fun to watch!

I hope Vernon Carey was watching last night. After, of course, watching Carolina squeak by Wofford and N. Little fight for playing time. As a matter of fact, I hope all our recruits were watching!

I know it’s only 1 game, but this team reminds me, too, of the 98-99 team with this dominating performance.

And I also watched ESPN First Take - and the hype has begun! Talk of the potential to go undefeated, comparing us to Alabama football, the Golden State Warriors, and the New England Patriots. I hope our guys are prepared for this - but what a fun problem to have!

It’s hard to temper expectations now, but I am so excited about this season!

BLPOG
11-07-2018, 11:44 AM
GoDuke link (http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?clip=5901338&cid=901&db_oem_id=4200) for Duke

Couldn't find a video on GoDuke for Kentucky, so here's one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmXwQtc6eHU) I found on YouTube.

brlftz
11-07-2018, 11:46 AM
For the life of me I can't understand why UK was ranked so highly to begin with. The guys that came back didn't go pro for a reason, and their recruiting class, while deep, didn't have anyone in the same tier as our guys. #1,2,3 >>>>>>>> guys in the teens and twenties. I can understand being skeptical of us as a candidate for #1, since our one and done formula hasn't put us over the top the last few years, but what did people see in UK? If anyone was likening them to the recent veteran-led teams of Villanova or UNC, they were forgetting how good the guards were on those teams.

By the way, I highly recommend following the link to the UK board that someone posted. Making me feel better about the level of suffering they endured last night. And the delusions, wow.

Vanceman201
11-07-2018, 12:01 PM
Greetings All...
Before the end of last BB season I posted a comment relating some of my observations of Zion and the game he played against Christ School. To me his physical prowess couldn't be denied. He can shoot, drive, pass, handle the ball, etc...And how he elevates that 285 pounds (is that right ?) is beyond the science I've been operating with all these years when observing basketball.
But, I also commented that I felt like his brain was operating faster than everyone else's. Now, even though we were dealing with high school, it was Christ School, who was flooring some very premier players of its own.

So, my question is this. To you BD observers....is his thinking still just a slight bit ahead of all others? In watching the dismantling of Kentucky...it felt that way to me.
It's almost as if he already knows exactly his move well before the ball gets to him

To be sure, I hope my team has something for the BD's this year....but, after last night....that looks like a monumental expectation.

I really just hope Zion and RJ stay healthy....just to be able to watch them in the college game, which I much prefer.

Thanks...

uh_no
11-07-2018, 12:03 PM
I can understand being skeptical of us as a candidate for #1,

i'd be surprised if we don't jump everyone in the polls on monday.

UrinalCake
11-07-2018, 12:06 PM
I remain convinced that the 91-92 team peaked in November or December...the real peak of that team was the first 30 minutes of that St. Johns game. I can't remember if it were Nov or Dec. They were never quite that good again - but they were so much better than anyone else, they won the Natty while past their peak.

You could reasonably argue that last year’s team peaked in the Champions Classic against Michigan State. We beat a top-5 team playing mostly without Bagley, Grayson went off, Duval had 10 assists, and expectations were through the roof. And then things came back down to earth, other teams learned our weaknesses, and we never lived up to those expectations. We historically play really well in November and December, then go through a swoon in January.

With that said, it’s also possible that we really are just so good that we won’t have as much of a letdown after this 8-)

SavDukeGrad
11-07-2018, 12:07 PM
i'd be surprised if we don't jump everyone in the polls on monday.

Completely agree. I think we’ll be no. 1 and Kansas no. 2.

budwom
11-07-2018, 12:07 PM
What to do, what to do. Focus my limited time on reading articles about how great we are. Or read Kentucky's forums for schadenfreude. Why aren't there more than 24 hours in a day?

KY schadenfreude was sobering...little of the usual turd tossing at Duke, lots of acknowledgment they got steamrolled

p.s. one question seemingly answered last night: do the pieces fit? (they don't always)

MChambers
11-07-2018, 12:12 PM
Greetings All...
And how he elevates that 285 pounds (is that right ?) is beyond the science I've been operating with all these years when observing basketball.

285 was what he weighed when Duke took measurements this summer. Press reports have indicated he's down to around 272 now.

arnie
11-07-2018, 12:16 PM
Completely agree. I think we’ll be no. 1 and Kansas no. 2.

If we manage to get past Army, yes.🍰

NSDukeFan
11-07-2018, 12:17 PM
I have no idea who checks Zion for UVA. Hunter and Key aren’t nearly as strong as him, and everyone else is too small or way too slow. And then you have to deal with Reddish and Barrett.

I don’t know how good Kentucky is, but they’re sure not a cupcake. Those freshmen y’all have are extremely real.
The good thing for UVA is everyone will be guarding Barrett and Zion. One college player can’t contain either one.

There still will be a WTF loss. Count on it.
After this performance, any loss is a WTF loss.

I don't know how to process what I saw last night still. Like, I can't remember Duke totally dominating a fellow blue blood program like that in a loooooong time... If ever.
...
.
82-50

I may need to revise my Zion comparison from yesterday. He's Jadeveon Clowney with a 40-inch vertical and a jump shot.


I think of Barry Sanders.

Whatever the comparison, it's still hard to wrap my mind around it.
The most exciting thing to me about Zion, and there are a lot of exciting things, is his first step. I think it was once in each half and once from each side where he hesitated a bit and then was gone to the rim before the defensive player had any chance. It really was unfair and worth getting giddy about.

I'm not entirely sure what to type right now. But I feel obligated to at least participate in the post-game thread of potentially the most complete and dominant Duke performance I have ever witnessed.

- Chillin
It was soooo much fun.

I am trying to figure out what was most exciting:
Was it Zion’s first step and explosion? Was it Zion’s rebound at the beginning of the game that seemed to show UK that it didn’t matter what the scouting report said, you can’t prepare for him?
Was it how steady Tre was all game, how he contained the ballhandler and looked to lead the team by facilitating?
Was it how Bolden looked better, at least to me, than he has ever looked in a Duke uniform? He was engaged, contesting everything at the rim, strong and balanced when he got the ball in the post. (Minus the one wild hook shot)
Was it that Jack was second on the team in minutes and looked like a lot more than a solid 3-and-D player? He got a steal or two , but he was in the passing lanes getting tips more often than that. He also looked very comfortable taking the ball to the basket when UK closed out on his 3-point shooting. And, of course, he just grabs every loose ball and rebound. I am almost as excused kaze about what he can bring to the table this year, even though he just ruined my minutes contest entry.
Was it how Alex didn’t miss a beat with his 3-point shooting and also looked like he belonged out there?
Was it how Cam announced how we shouldn’t forget about him as he confidently hit some early 3s to give us the lead that would never be given up? Was it how he looked like he can score in many ways and handle the ball as well and get his long arms in passing lanes and up to contest shots?
Was it how R.J. showed that he cannot be denied going to the basket against one of the most athletic teams Duke will play this year?
Was it how much fun everyone seemed to have playing with each other?
Was it seeing the look on Calipari’s face as his team ran into a Zion?

So much fun. I agree that the only downside is that we may have used two of our five super games of the year in that one and that my expectations are now through the roof and I can dream about 40-0 for awhile.

Des Esseintes
11-07-2018, 12:21 PM
This score was like if Duke University played the University of Kentucky in a game of science.

MChambers
11-07-2018, 12:29 PM
"As [Coach K's] descriptions backlit the collaboration and sparkling talent everyone had just seen, a nascent season had found definition, with Duke as the giant primed to spend the winter looming, further proof that, tough as it can be to take, people born in 2000 are all grown up."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/college-basketball-wakes-up-to-the-duke-takeover/2018/11/07/46ee5246-e29c-11e8-ab2c-b31dcd53ca6b_story.html?utm_term=.235d03b45ff1

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 12:29 PM
Paraphrasing someone, I don't know whom:

During the season a team will have 5 games where everything goes right, 5 games where everything goes wrong and the rest of the games somewhere in the middle.

Last night used up two of the "everything goes right" games.


That said, we can be really good this year and I am still in awe of the Zion block, run out and bounce pass play. I mean, who does that?

I also want to give a shout out to Marques. I loved his energy last night. And his pass fake and dunk on the in bounds play was beautiful.

That was something else! I amazed, however, that Zion wasn't on Top 10 plays also for his drive from three point land down the lane for the monster dunk. I looked like LeBron against a middle school team! That was unbelievable!


Zion drops 28 points in Duke debut (http://www.espn.com/videohub/video/clip/_/id/25201350)

It's at the 1:36 mark of this Zion highlight reel from ESPN. Watch this. It will make you smile guaranteed!

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 12:33 PM
I would encourage everyone to take a minute and look at this thread... It's beautiful. I can't describe in words how beautiful it is. It's like I'm looking through the screen and watching everyone of them deflate and their butts pucker. They knew they'd been had 2:00 minutes into the game!!

Thank you for this! As you note, what is amazing is how they know within the first 2 minutes of the game that they will be blown out.

I was really enjoying with my coffee until I hit this post...it even got a "like" from someone. I haven't run across anyone dressing him down, and I guess their mods aren't as good as ours are:

8789

Billy Dat
11-07-2018, 12:33 PM
This score was like if Duke University played the University of Kentucky in a game of science.

The 2018/19 Devils conjure Des out of the ether...good to see you post!

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 12:42 PM
GoDuke link (http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?clip=5901338&cid=901&db_oem_id=4200) for Duke

Couldn't find a video on GoDuke for Kentucky, so here's one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmXwQtc6eHU) I found on YouTube.

Why is the best quality video of the post game presser that BDN can find one from a hand held, shaking iPhone? I know Duke has better quality equipment. The videos they put out have great production value.

JayZee
11-07-2018, 12:46 PM
I think we clearly have demonstrated that we have talent in the same ball park as the most storied CBB teams of all time. '99 Duke, 91 UNLV, AD led UK.

On top of that the chemistry, not just among the freshmen, but also the upperclassmen just seems incredible. I'm of the opinion that the Frosh chemistry is what has brought Bolden out of his shell. That and Ego. These guys seem so secure in themselves and their roles. I have a feeling that they celebrated last night, and today just got back to work on defense and FTs and stand still 3 point shots.

They just seem like they are the type of individuals and team that are internally motivated.

I haven't been this pumped for a season since '99. Wow.

left_hook_lacey
11-07-2018, 12:47 PM
This score was like if Duke University played the University of Kentucky in a game of science.

Starting 5 against starting 5, or students only?

Reddevil
11-07-2018, 12:49 PM
Holy smokes, what a game. Duke out rebounded UK and had more production from the their bench. Those were two areas that pretty much everyone agreed UK had the advantage. Thanks Mr. White!

Loved seeing a pained Cal on the big screen after his comments on Coach K this summer. You poke a blue devil you get the horns.

Have another cup of coffee and enjoy the UK game thread (https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/official-game-thread.278112/page-2)!!

One of the best lines was - "We are a football school now."

Very satisfying read. Especially when starting at the beginning with all the trash talk.

Kedsy
11-07-2018, 12:49 PM
And would K go with a deeper rotation?

Deeper than 8? No.

left_hook_lacey
11-07-2018, 12:54 PM
Is it time to start a Duke undefeated season vigil thread yet?(ducks and backs away)

Indoor66
11-07-2018, 12:54 PM
Or do the work I am getting paid to do?!

WHAT????????

Troublemaker
11-07-2018, 01:01 PM
It’s amazing to say about a game against Kentucky, but the final PPP were not indicative of Duke’s defensive performance. This is usually true against teams like Elon... tonight, there were 5+ minutes of garbage time where UK surpassed 1 PPP.

Not only that, but the primary reason for any efficiency out of UK tonight was their free throw rate - which was a ridiculous ~ .65 - meaning that for every 3 shots from the field, UK was taking 2 free throws.

So a good defensive performance but far from Duke’s peak, methinks.

Yep. If we play a competitive game (and those will eventually come, obviously), the foul trouble we were in last night would've been much more problematic. It really is the main negative we can take away from the game, imo.

Hopefully we learn to foul less, and hopefully the 8th man (looks like Alex at this point) earns Coach K's trust enough to be fully part of the rotation. I said this in the offseason. If we're going to play at a breakneck pace, we really do want to go deeper than 6-7 guys in order to properly rest and spread fouls around. Otherwise, you end up wearing yourself out and fouling yourself out at that pace.

Kedsy
11-07-2018, 01:14 PM
ADVANCED STATS:

Possessions: 82.42 (pretty darn fast)

OFFENSE
---------
oRtg: 1.43 (stunning against a team like UK)
eFG%: 62.0% (Duke's #3 offense last season averaged 55.9%; the 1999 team averaged 57.9%; the 2015 team averaged 56.8%)
3pt%: 46.2% (Bilas is right: if we shoot threes like this, we're awfully hard to stop)
2pt%: 58.5% (pretty strong against a supposedly too-tall-and-athletic-to-go-inside-against team)
%threes: 32.9% (a sweet spot for percentage of threes taken: within half a percent of 2010, 2004, and 2015)
FT rate: 36.7% (about the same as last year's team averaged; but with RJ and Zion driving into the lane, you'd expect better)
OR%: 33.3% (low, but with a 62% eFG%, we probably didn't need this so much)
TO%: 4.9% (the most ridiculous stat on this list)
a/to ratio: 5.5:1 (unless this is)
%assisted: 51.2% (pretty good but not great; though considering the 1 on 1 ability of this team, probably about what we should expect)
fast break: 26 fb points for 22.0% (very strong)

DEFENSE
---------
oRtg: 1.02 (good, but even better considering UK scored 30 points in the last 12 minutes after Duke got up by 37)
eFG%: 47.5% (good)
3pt%: 23.5% (really good, but I'm not sure whether it was our defense or whether UK just can't shoot)
2pt%: 52.4% (could have been better)
%threes: 28.8% (good, but again I'm not sure if that's a UK feature this season)
FT rate: 64.4% (very bad, but we can't get picky, right?)
OR%: 69.4% (good, against a big team that was supposed to eat our lunch on the boards)
TO%: 18.2% (not great, but probably good enough)
a/to ratio: 1.13:1 (good)
%assisted: 65.4% (happens sometimes when you score as few baskets as UK did)
fast break: 12 fb points for 14.3% (too many fast break points allowed overall, but we only gave up 2 fb points in the first half, when it counted)
block%: 5.1% (7.1% of two-point shots) (decent)

Overall, not many eye-popping stats. On the bad side was only UK's FT rate. On the good side our incredibly few turnovers, our 1.43 points per possession, and of course the most important one being the final score.

mattman91
11-07-2018, 01:18 PM
Not sorry if this was already posted, but here is every Duke basket from last night's game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZhSEtBK7qE

Kedsy
11-07-2018, 01:26 PM
This and that:

-- I thought Javin looked very good on defense, but he can't pick up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes and expect to play very much.

-- Jack "Legend" White is clearly ahead of AOC in the rotation right now, but Alex is shaping up to be a per-minute superstar. In the two exhibitions, Alex averaged 11.5 mpg and had 33.0 pts per 40 with 17.4 rebounds per 40. In this game, he played 11 minutes averaged 32.7 pts per 40 with 10.9 rebs per 40. Amazing for our current 8th man.

-- Reid Travis scored his first point with 8:40 to go in the first half and Duke leading by 15. His 22 and 7 were misleadingly meaningless.

-- The big difference in this game was supposed to be UK's vaunted depth and newfound experience. But check this out:

UK's non-freshmen: 77 minutes; 31 points; 15 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 7 to's); 2 blocks; 0 steals

Duke's non-freshmen: 90 minutes; 29 points; 21 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 1 to); 2 blocks; 4 steals

COYS
11-07-2018, 01:32 PM
So much to love about last night. So much has already been said. Here's my small contribution.

Cam Reddish was SENSATIONAL on defense last night. He had 4 steals in 24 minutes and tipped at least 4 more passes. He didn't have gaudy rebounding numbers, but that was in large part because he was out on the wings harassing UK players into mistakes. None of the UK guys could do anything against him one on one. He was really, really good. Oh, and he also shot the lights out and handled the ball with ease on offense, too. The four fouls in 24 minutes isn't great. Hopefully it won't become an issue. But otherwise, Cam might have actually been the best player on the court when you consider his offensive and defensive contributions.

I checked SCACCHoops defensive efficiency stats to see if the numbers match what I saw with my eyes. While defensive stats are a work in progress, especially at the college level, Cam's efficiency numbers are eye-popping. (https://www.scacchoops.com/viewhdgame.asp?hSchedule=51657&bview=6) In addition to leading the starters in offensive efficiency, he also was second on the team in defensive efficiency while he was on the court. And remember, Cam also spent some minutes as the only starter playing with the bench in the last five minutes. In addition, his stop percentage (which measures one-on-one defensive possessions) was 73%, which was second only to Javin. As amazing as RJ and Zion were, it's possible that Cam was even better. Obviously, the efficiency stats of a single game don't have much, if any, predictive value. But at least for last night, Cam played elite basketball on offense and defense.

I was at least moderately concerned that Zion, RJ, and Cam, despite being different players, would overlap in sub-optimal ways. It looks like that fear was completely unfounded. Cam is like the ultimate glue guy who is also a star in his own right.

thedukelamere
11-07-2018, 01:37 PM
I would encourage everyone to take a minute and look at this thread... It's beautiful. I can't describe in words how beautiful it is. It's like I'm looking through the screen and watching everyone of them deflate and their butts pucker. They knew they'd been had 2:00 minutes into the game!!

This is glorious. From the sh9ft-talking while the players were in the tunnel to the realization that they weren't going to be able to sit down without pain tomorrow, I may save the link for the next time I'm having a rough day.

budwom
11-07-2018, 01:44 PM
This and that:

-- I thought Javin looked very good on defense, but he can't pick up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes and expect to play very much.

-- Jack "Legend" White is clearly ahead of AOC in the rotation right now, but Alex is shaping up to be a per-minute superstar. In the two exhibitions, Alex averaged 11.5 mpg and had 33.0 pts per 40 with 17.4 rebounds per 40. In this game, he played 11 minutes averaged 32.7 pts per 40 with 10.9 rebs per 40. Amazing for our current 8th man.

-- Reid Travis scored his first point with 8:40 to go in the first half and Duke leading by 15. His 22 and 7 were misleadingly meaningless.

-- The big difference in this game was supposed to be UK's vaunted depth and newfound experience. But check this out:

UK's non-freshmen: 77 minutes; 31 points; 15 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 7 to's); 2 blocks; 0 steals

Duke's non-freshmen: 90 minutes; 29 points; 21 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 1 to); 2 blocks; 4 steals

But Reid Travis sure could strut on those occasions when he did make a basket, no matter how meaningless, so he had that...

AGDukesky
11-07-2018, 01:46 PM
This and that:

-- I thought Javin looked very good on defense, but he can't pick up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes and expect to play very much.

-- Jack "Legend" White is clearly ahead of AOC in the rotation right now, but Alex is shaping up to be a per-minute superstar. In the two exhibitions, Alex averaged 11.5 mpg and had 33.0 pts per 40 with 17.4 rebounds per 40. In this game, he played 11 minutes averaged 32.7 pts per 40 with 10.9 rebs per 40. Amazing for our current 8th man.

-- Reid Travis scored his first point with 8:40 to go in the first half and Duke leading by 15. His 22 and 7 were misleadingly meaningless.

-- The big difference in this game was supposed to be UK's vaunted depth and newfound experience. But check this out:

UK's non-freshmen: 77 minutes; 31 points; 15 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 7 to's); 2 blocks; 0 steals

Duke's non-freshmen: 90 minutes; 29 points; 21 rebs; 4 assts (vs. 1 to); 2 blocks; 4 steals

All really good points. Javin was called for two phantom calls in row but I think some of that is that his movements are too spastic and draw the officials notice. AOC is much more athletic and quick than I thought before he arrived in Durham - he has a definite role on this team and seems ready to contribute no matter his minutes. Travis was neutralized until the game was out of hand and was allowed to initiate a ton of contact and get calls. He is a nice player but we were able to play him mostly straight up and not really have it matter. It was a blessing in disguise to have the foul trouble because it forced K to play a deeper rotation in meaningful parts of the game (such as they existed). I am very comfortable with our top 8 and the next two guys are far from clueless. It does seem like Joey will not play but I’m glad we don’t seem to need him at this point...

Neals384
11-07-2018, 01:48 PM
OMG is all I can say.
This was the most fun I had watching bb in some time.
The look on Kentucky players faces was priceless.
If any of you get a chance look at +/- of this game.
Just amazing.
It also bears repeating but Zion is otherworldly.

My plus minus thread will be up this afternoon.

mr. synellinden
11-07-2018, 01:57 PM
So much to love about last night. So much has already been said. Here's my small contribution.

Cam Reddish was SENSATIONAL on defense last night. He had 4 steals in 24 minutes and tipped at least 4 more passes. He didn't have gaudy rebounding numbers, but that was in large part because he was out on the wings harassing UK players into mistakes. None of the UK guys could do anything against him one on one. He was really, really good. Oh, and he also shot the lights out and handled the ball with ease on offense, too. The four fouls in 24 minutes isn't great. Hopefully it won't become an issue. But otherwise, Cam might have actually been the best player on the court when you consider his offensive and defensive contributions.

I checked SCACCHoops defensive efficiency stats to see if the numbers match what I saw with my eyes. While defensive stats are a work in progress, especially at the college level, Cam's efficiency numbers are eye-popping. (https://www.scacchoops.com/viewhdgame.asp?hSchedule=51657&bview=6) In addition to leading the starters in offensive efficiency, he also was second on the team in defensive efficiency while he was on the court. And remember, Cam also spent some minutes as the only starter playing with the bench in the last five minutes. In addition, his stop percentage (which measures one-on-one defensive possessions) was 73%, which was second only to Javin. As amazing as RJ and Zion were, it's possible that Cam was even better. Obviously, the efficiency stats of a single game don't have much, if any, predictive value. But at least for last night, Cam played elite basketball on offense and defense.

I was at least moderately concerned that Zion, RJ, and Cam, despite being different players, would overlap in sub-optimal ways. It looks like that fear was completely unfounded. Cam is like the ultimate glue guy who is also a star in his own right.

You must spread some Comments around before commenting on COYS again.

Great post - definitely a relatively overlooked component of the game, which is not surprising given the extent of the highlights. Kentucky is a very talented team. I was impressed with Johnson and Montgomery, and Travis is a great college player. To do what we did defensively really might be the most exciting thing in terms of championship potential.

House P
11-07-2018, 02:04 PM
My plus minus thread will be up this afternoon.

If you want to save some time, you can probably skip the "minus" portion of the calculation. :D

robed deity
11-07-2018, 02:05 PM
So much to love about last night. So much has already been said. Here's my small contribution.

Cam Reddish was SENSATIONAL on defense last night. He had 4 steals in 24 minutes and tipped at least 4 more passes. He didn't have gaudy rebounding numbers, but that was in large part because he was out on the wings harassing UK players into mistakes. None of the UK guys could do anything against him one on one. He was really, really good. Oh, and he also shot the lights out and handled the ball with ease on offense, too. The four fouls in 24 minutes isn't great. Hopefully it won't become an issue. But otherwise, Cam might have actually been the best player on the court when you consider his offensive and defensive contributions.

I checked SCACCHoops defensive efficiency stats to see if the numbers match what I saw with my eyes. While defensive stats are a work in progress, especially at the college level, Cam's efficiency numbers are eye-popping. (https://www.scacchoops.com/viewhdgame.asp?hSchedule=51657&bview=6) In addition to leading the starters in offensive efficiency, he also was second on the team in defensive efficiency while he was on the court. And remember, Cam also spent some minutes as the only starter playing with the bench in the last five minutes. In addition, his stop percentage (which measures one-on-one defensive possessions) was 73%, which was second only to Javin. As amazing as RJ and Zion were, it's possible that Cam was even better. Obviously, the efficiency stats of a single game don't have much, if any, predictive value. But at least for last night, Cam played elite basketball on offense and defense.

I was at least moderately concerned that Zion, RJ, and Cam, despite being different players, would overlap in sub-optimal ways. It looks like that fear was completely unfounded. Cam is like the ultimate glue guy who is also a star in his own right.

Great post. RJ and Zion are so good, and may have more eye popping plays. But Reddish is right there with them in talent. He's just more understated in what he does and how he does it. Almost unfair to have all 3.

Neals384
11-07-2018, 02:15 PM
1). The defensive stats are especially impressive given that we had so many guys in foul trouble: Cam, Marques, Javin and Jack each had 4; Zion had 3.

2). I feel sorry for the guy who said he would start watching hoops after football season is over.

cato
11-07-2018, 02:17 PM
Did anyone else notice that at one point we were leading this game 82-50? And there was still 10 minutes left!

Yep. Got a picture of tv.

MChambers
11-07-2018, 02:29 PM
So much to love about last night. So much has already been said. Here's my small contribution.

Cam Reddish was SENSATIONAL on defense last night. He had 4 steals in 24 minutes and tipped at least 4 more passes. He didn't have gaudy rebounding numbers, but that was in large part because he was out on the wings harassing UK players into mistakes. None of the UK guys could do anything against him one on one. He was really, really good. Oh, and he also shot the lights out and handled the ball with ease on offense, too. The four fouls in 24 minutes isn't great. Hopefully it won't become an issue. But otherwise, Cam might have actually been the best player on the court when you consider his offensive and defensive contributions.

I checked SCACCHoops defensive efficiency stats to see if the numbers match what I saw with my eyes. While defensive stats are a work in progress, especially at the college level, Cam's efficiency numbers are eye-popping. (https://www.scacchoops.com/viewhdgame.asp?hSchedule=51657&bview=6) In addition to leading the starters in offensive efficiency, he also was second on the team in defensive efficiency while he was on the court. And remember, Cam also spent some minutes as the only starter playing with the bench in the last five minutes. In addition, his stop percentage (which measures one-on-one defensive possessions) was 73%, which was second only to Javin. As amazing as RJ and Zion were, it's possible that Cam was even better. Obviously, the efficiency stats of a single game don't have much, if any, predictive value. But at least for last night, Cam played elite basketball on offense and defense.

I was at least moderately concerned that Zion, RJ, and Cam, despite being different players, would overlap in sub-optimal ways. It looks like that fear was completely unfounded. Cam is like the ultimate glue guy who is also a star in his own right.

I agree with all of this. I thought Cam was our best defender and the SCACCHoops numbers, which I looked at this morning, suggested that he was close, and our best overall player. Wow.

BD80
11-07-2018, 02:31 PM
Deeper than 8? No.

I have a feeling that we will need, and often use, nearly every one of the 15 fouls allotted to Bolden, Javin and Vrank. Vrank won't take much time to burn his 5, but I could argue that it would make him a rotation player.


Zion will need to some coaching on defense or he will be another one on the bench more often than we would like. With his footwork , athleticism, wingspan, and feel for the game, I don't envision much a a problem.

Udaman
11-07-2018, 02:34 PM
Before the game started, my 15 year old son looked up at me and said, "Dad. I'm sorry...I mean I don't mean to be disrespectful to Kentucky...but we're going to win this game by 30 points." He was wrong, of course.

That was....a beat down. In every way possible. We had 22 assists, and 4 turnovers. FOUR TURNOVERS.

And to me the best part....we played a dominant man to man defense. That is Coach K's bread and butter. We now have a shut down defender in Reddish. RJ and Zion are insanely athletic as well. Playing the man to man, we get steals and transition buckets, and nobody has a chance against us in transition. Nobody. I mean the first 10 minutes of the game we played pretty well, but nothing close to perfection, and Kentucky had 10 points and was down 17. This was like a 7th grade B team playing an 8th grade A team. No contest. At all.

Been a Duke fan since 1985. Love college basketball (though really hate the one and dones). I know it's early...but this is the best NCAA team I've seen since UNLV in 1990. They had scorers and size and NBA talent everywhere, and were insanely good in transition and in defense. We have four freshmen and are every bit as good as they were, after one regular season game. Barring injury, this will be an immensely fun team to watch. And of all years...this is the one I'm taking my son down to Durham to see them play UNC....wohoo!!!

jacone21
11-07-2018, 03:26 PM
That game last night was so good that Wendell Carter's mother is no longer angry.

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 03:26 PM
Those will definitely be great clashes of incredible forces meeting immovable objects. It's one thing for Duke to beat a team that wants to run with us -- turns out that may not be a good strategy. It's another thing for us to play a disciplined half-court game with long possessions, against an extremely well-coached team.

That is what is going to make the games with uncCheat so much fun. They have always prided themselves over there at that dump for being the best running team in the country. I remember their game many years ago against Loyola Maramount? when Loyola had some talent and played at a rat race pace. uncCheat beat them at their own game so we had to suffer through listening to their mouths for quite some time after that which was nauseating.

Ol roy will definitely want his team to get into and up and down game with us. I am looking forward to Eddie Munster attempting to guard Zion. That will be a hoot.

DBGoins
11-07-2018, 03:29 PM
A ton of positives from the night, to many to mention but did anyone else have flashbacks to 2015 with Jones running the point?

Zion, RJ, and Cam all played out of their minds last night. Big stage for big time players....That's why they came to Duke.

All in all, it is only one win with a long season in front of us. Let stay healthy.

Great start...

fathippo
11-07-2018, 03:34 PM
Holy smokes, what a game. Duke out rebounded UK and had more production from the their bench. Those were two areas that pretty much everyone agreed UK had the advantage. Thanks Mr. White!

Loved seeing a pained Cal on the big screen after his comments on Coach K this summer. You poke a blue devil you get the horns.

Have another cup of coffee and enjoy the UK game thread (https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/official-game-thread.278112/page-2)!!

Thanks, that's a good read. The posters really started to turn on each other. Here are a few gems I found funny.

“Duke toying with us. Idk who jack white is but he is kicking our a**”
“Barrett beating the s**t out of Cal again. Cal probably has nightmares of RJ.”
“Zion going to throw a bucket of confetti?”
“Barrett is better than our entire team put together.”
“Lets go Duke chanted. Jesus. Shoot me.”
“I never thought we would be the washington generals tonight. This is sickening.”
“Unfortunately this is the only game that matter. Who cares what they do after today.”

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 03:35 PM
He was amazing last night. K called him out in the presser:

"Really, the untold hero, I think, of our team was Jack White. Jack had 11 rebounds and guarded Herro and just played tough, just played really tough."

How about Jack's defense against Herro? He was on that kid like glue the entire game. Herro would bust his butt to come off a screen and Jack would be in his shorts every time, often getting a hand on the pass. During the game it reminded me of Matt Jones aggravating the snot out of the Wisconsin kid who's name escapes me in the 2015 Title game.

That part about Jack last night was amazing and surprising. I had no idea Jack could move his feet like that! Sorry Kedsy, but like I said in Phase 0, Jack White is solidly in the top 6 of the rotation right now and he is there to stay. What a performance! Skying for rebounds in traffic (note Jack's vertical is nothing to laugh at either. Kid can jump!), boxing out the free throw shooter, being in the right place on defense, and most importantly, actively and vocally coaching up the young bucks in huddles on the court. He is the perfect role player for these incredible freshmen.

Aside> Note to K. Please make Bolden our 3rd Captain. That would be an incredible boost for his confidence.

devildeac
11-07-2018, 03:45 PM
How about Jack's defense against Herro? He was on that kid like glue the entire game. Herro would bust his butt to come off a screen and Jack would be in his shorts every time, often getting a hand on the pass. During the game it reminded me of Matt Jones aggravating the snot out of the Wisconsin kid who's name escapes me in the 2015 Title game.

That part about Jack last night was amazing and surprising. I had no idea Jack could move his feet like that! Sorry Kedsy, but like I said in Phase 0, Jack White is solidly in the top 6 of the rotation right now and he is there to stay. What a performance! Skying for rebounds in traffic (note Jack's vertical is nothing to laugh at either. Kid can jump!), boxing out the free throw shooter, being in the right place on defense, and most importantly, actively and vocally coaching up the young bucks in huddles on the court. He is the perfect role player for these incredible freshmen.

Aside> Note to K. Please make Bolden our 3rd Captain. That would be an incredible boost for his confidence.

Dekker?

budwom
11-07-2018, 03:57 PM
and how about a nod to symmetry? The score was 59-42 each half.

Kedsy
11-07-2018, 04:08 PM
So much to love about last night. So much has already been said. Here's my small contribution.

Cam Reddish was SENSATIONAL on defense last night. He had 4 steals in 24 minutes and tipped at least 4 more passes. He didn't have gaudy rebounding numbers, but that was in large part because he was out on the wings harassing UK players into mistakes. None of the UK guys could do anything against him one on one. He was really, really good. Oh, and he also shot the lights out and handled the ball with ease on offense, too. The four fouls in 24 minutes isn't great. Hopefully it won't become an issue. But otherwise, Cam might have actually been the best player on the court when you consider his offensive and defensive contributions.

I checked SCACCHoops defensive efficiency stats to see if the numbers match what I saw with my eyes. While defensive stats are a work in progress, especially at the college level, Cam's efficiency numbers are eye-popping. (https://www.scacchoops.com/viewhdgame.asp?hSchedule=51657&bview=6) In addition to leading the starters in offensive efficiency, he also was second on the team in defensive efficiency while he was on the court. And remember, Cam also spent some minutes as the only starter playing with the bench in the last five minutes. In addition, his stop percentage (which measures one-on-one defensive possessions) was 73%, which was second only to Javin. As amazing as RJ and Zion were, it's possible that Cam was even better. Obviously, the efficiency stats of a single game don't have much, if any, predictive value. But at least for last night, Cam played elite basketball on offense and defense.

I was at least moderately concerned that Zion, RJ, and Cam, despite being different players, would overlap in sub-optimal ways. It looks like that fear was completely unfounded. Cam is like the ultimate glue guy who is also a star in his own right.

Great points. In addition, though his dRtg wasn't so great, I'd like to bring up Tre Jones. People keep saying he's Tyus 2.0, but I don't think he is. Because his defense is soooooooo much better than Tyus's was. To play Coach K's traditional m2m, you need a PG who can hound the other team's PG, pick him up just over halfcourt and keep him from effectively starting the halfcourt set. I think Tre may have that. Add that to Cam's ability to get into the passing lanes, Zion's otherworldly athleticism, Javin's be-everywhere D, and Marques's continually improving defensive footwork, and we have the ingredients for Duke's best defense in years.


Zion will need to some coaching on defense or he will be another one on the bench more often than we would like. With his footwork , athleticism, wingspan, and feel for the game, I don't envision much a a problem.

Yeah, I've been very impressed with Zion's motor and drive on defense. Just a little coaching, as you say, to keep him in control, and he can be a real defensive weapon.


I know it's early...but this is the best NCAA team I've seen since UNLV in 1990. They had scorers and size and NBA talent everywhere, and were insanely good in transition and in defense. We have four freshmen and are every bit as good as they were, after one regular season game.

Yeah, I don't know about that. Even if we say Zion and Tre are as good as LJ and Anthony (both assertions would be debatable but hard to justify at this point in Zion's and Tre's one-game college careers), it's a real stretch to say Cam (or anyone else on our roster) is as good a defender as Stacey Augmon. And nobody on our team shoots it like Anderson Hunt. Plus that team's rotation consisted of juniors and seniors (with one notable sophomore, Hunt).

So while it's not crazy to compare this team to the 1990 UNLV team (the teams arguably had a similar makeup), that team was way more experienced and had some advanced skillsets that this team doesn't really have. Also, the championship blowout notwithstanding, that UNLV team lost 5 games against a not particularly strong schedule and had several close scares in the NCAA tournament - it's not like that team was an all-time great or anything. (The following year, the 1991 UNLV team, was the all-time great, though obviously that team stumbled when it mattered.)

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 04:19 PM
And then there are the haters. Sigh. People these days just have to pride themselves by writing a hate speech filled article and then pat themselves on the back for a job well done in their pathetic little simple minds. Here it is if you dare to give the guy (Terence Moore, Forbes) additional clicks. >https://www.forbes.com/sites/terencemoore/2018/11/07/dukes-rout-of-kentucky-exposes-coach-k-again/#3093092756e0

Devildeac> Thank you for the assist. It was Sam Dekker that Matt Jones drove insane in that title game. I remember one instance out beyond the top of the key where Matt was all over Dekker and Dekker angrily swatted Matt's hand away and then looked at the ref beside them with a big potty face like... "Dad Matt is picking on me and won't let me score! It isn't fair! I want my mommy!"

That's the kind of D Jack White was using last night to lock up young Mr Herro. Beautiful to watch.

Kedsy
11-07-2018, 04:19 PM
Sorry Kedsy, but like I said in Phase 0, Jack White is solidly in the top 6 of the rotation right now and he is there to stay.

He is definitely ahead of Alex in the rotation right now. After one game, I'm not willing to concede it will stay that way. Also, he and Javin came in at the same time. Javin's minutes were limited due to early foul trouble, but that doesn't necessarily mean Jack is ahead of him in the rotation (they entered the game at the same time, so no clues there, either). I would say considering that Marques (assuming he continues to start) will be the starter who plays the fewest minutes, it's more likely that Javin will be the 6th man than Jack. Not that it matters very much.

All that said, Jack White played a great game against Kentucky. Who knows, maybe he can be our Luke Maye (circa 2017).

cato
11-07-2018, 04:24 PM
I can't remember Duke totally dominating a fellow blue blood program like that in a loooooong time... If ever.


The pace was different, but 82-50 was also utter domination.

Nice to have one against Carolina and one against Kentucky. Add that beatdown of UCLA that ran them out of the state entirely and Duke’s for some signature wins against the other blue bloods.

cato
11-07-2018, 04:30 PM
But Reid Travis sure could strut on those occasions when he did make a basket, no matter how meaningless, so he had that...

Heh. That may have played well in the Pac-whatever, but welcome to D1 ball Reid.

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 04:31 PM
The pace was different, but 82-50 was also utter domination.

Nice to have one against Carolina and one against Kentucky. Add that beatdown of UCLA that ran them out of the state entirely and Duke’s for some signature wins against the other blue bloods.

82-50 will always rank high for me. But Carolina was struggling that year as is, and we were at home.

We just did it to the #2 team in the nation. On a neutral (if not hostile) court. In our first real game. With four freshmen.

Yikes.

flyingdutchdevil
11-07-2018, 04:33 PM
The pace was different, but 82-50 was also utter domination.

Nice to have one against Carolina and one against Kentucky. Add that beatdown of UCLA that ran them out of the state entirely and Duke’s for some signature wins against the other blue bloods.

To me, this win was more amazing than the 82-50 UNC team.

The two big differences in favor of this team? UK is a top 5 ranked team. And we played them on a neutral floor with a UK-heavy fan base in the stands. The 82-50 trashing was in Durham against an unranked, terrible UNC team (5-11 in the ACC that year).

OPK beat me to it.

BD80
11-07-2018, 04:39 PM
Dan LeBatard's dad's take on the game: calipari should ask his players for a refund.

Old joke, but ...

rsvman
11-07-2018, 04:41 PM
To me, this win was more amazing than the 82-50 UNC team.

The two big differences in favor of this team? UK is a top 5 ranked team. And we played them on a neutral floor with a UK-heavy fan base in the stands. The 82-50 trashing was in Durham against an unranked, terrible UNC team (5-11 in the ACC that year).

OPK beat me to it.

Yes, but 82-50 was still pretty freaking sweet.


I mean, the only way to improve upon last night's win would be to have it be against Carolina.


















In the national title game (OK, so there were two ways).

phaedrus
11-07-2018, 04:47 PM
That game last night was so good that Wendell Carter's mother is no longer angry.

Derryck Thornton's uncle called and begged to have Derryck back up Tre this season.

BD80
11-07-2018, 05:06 PM
Tony Reali on Around the Horn: "When Duke is Duke, they're the Roman Empire."


I'm basking in the hype today. Gotta enjoy the highs when them come.

devildeac
11-07-2018, 05:07 PM
82-50 will always rank high for me. But Carolina was struggling that year as is, and we were at home.

We just did it to the #2 team in the nation. On a neutral (if not hostile) court. In our first real game. With four freshmen.

Yikes.


To me, this win was more amazing than the 82-50 UNC team.

The two big differences in favor of this team? UK is a top 5 ranked team. And we played them on a neutral floor with a UK-heavy fan base in the stands. The 82-50 trashing was in Durham against an unranked, terrible UNC team (5-11 in the ACC that year).

OPK beat me to it.

No apologies or explanations needed, gents. My only disappointment is that it was *only* a 32 point victory over the cheats. :D

jimsumner
11-07-2018, 05:07 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.

Dukehky
11-07-2018, 05:14 PM
Literally the only negative from last night was Javin continuing to have issues with fouling (the travel before the dunk wasn't great either). He has to stop doing that. He's got the requisite traits to be an outstanding defender, but we've never seen him do it in a game because he fouls all the time. He's got a reputation for it too, the first two fouls on him were questionable, but he's gotta show it.

Loved what Jack and Bolden did last night.

Zion and RJ were okay I guess. They're gonna need to play better for us to have a chance at making the tournament.

NSDukeFan
11-07-2018, 05:15 PM
One other beat down I remember that ranks well below this one and 82-50 was a game against Maryland in Cameron when Greivis Vasquez was there and had talked before the game about how much he enjoyed playing in Cameron. I don’t remember the details, just that it was an epic destruction.

MChambers
11-07-2018, 05:19 PM
Literally the only negative from last night was Javin continuing to have issues with fouling (the travel before the dunk wasn't great either). He has to stop doing that. He's got the requisite traits to be an outstanding defender, but we've never seen him do it in a game because he fouls all the time. He's got a reputation for it too, the first two fouls on him were questionable, but he's gotta show it.

Loved what Jack and Bolden did last night.

Zion and RJ were okay I guess. They're gonna need to play better for us to have a chance at making the tournament.

I thought the entire team fouled too much. Kentucky went to the line a lot, and Javin, Marques, Cam, and Zion all went to the bench at various times because of foul trouble.

DukieInKansas
11-07-2018, 05:29 PM
I thought the entire team fouled too much. Kentucky went to the line a lot, and Javin, Marques, Cam, and Zion all went to the bench at various times because of foul trouble.

How can that be? I thought Duke got all the calls?

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 05:33 PM
No apologies or explanations needed, gents. My only disappointment is that it was *only* a 32 point victory over the cheats. :D

Didn't they hit an uncontested three at the buzzer to cut it to *only* 32?

OldPhiKap
11-07-2018, 05:34 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.

Too late, I already got the tattoo.

BandAlum83
11-07-2018, 05:34 PM
I thought the entire team fouled too much. Kentucky went to the line a lot, and Javin, Marques, Cam, and Zion all went to the bench at various times because of foul trouble.

If you check the UK Boards, the refs' horrible calls were contributiry to their loss. They hurt their momentum and flow and caused at least two 5-point turnarounds.

NSDukeFan
11-07-2018, 05:36 PM
Too late, I already got the tattoo.

I believe today was one of the bestselling days of 40-0 tattoos.

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 05:36 PM
Tony Reali on Around the Horn: "When Duke is Duke, they're the Roman Empire."


I'm basking in the hype today. Gotta enjoy the highs when them come.

I'm with you....I'm not investing in any kind of fantasies about undefeated seasons or even Nattys, which are tough for even the best team to win....but I haven't had this much fun in the aftermath of a Duke win since the epic Laettner game vs Kentucky. Steven A. Smith was funny, the comments on Reddit were hilarious.....all the hype is a lot of fun.

Wahoo2000
11-07-2018, 05:38 PM
I only have a few questions after seeing last night's game:

1) How close will this end up being to Duke's baseline performance. Did they play that 'once-a-year' perfect game? Was it just a very good game? Only an above average game? An average game? If it's ANYTHING besides a once-a-year performance, this team is LIKELY head and shoulders above the rest of the country, depending on...

2) How good is KY, really? And how close were THEY to their baseline performance? Is KY a legit top 5 team? Or will they end up as a fringe top 25 team? Did they just lay the biggest egg of the season, or were they playing average and still got blown away?

There's no doubt in my mind after watching the game that for Duke, "the ceiling is the roof". They could, in theory, be every bit as dominant as the 91 UNLV team. The talent is definitely there, if the jumpshots continue to fall, and cohesion/chemistry improves (or just stays the same)..... this is one of those teams that maaaaaaybe loses 2-3 games.

The best question for Duke right now is, "where is the floor?" Will be interesting to see, and you can bet your [censored] I'll be watching.

devildeac
11-07-2018, 05:47 PM
Didn't they hit an uncontested three at the buzzer to cut it to *only* 32?

I honestly don't remember as I was rolling on the floor, laughing hysterically with tears running down my cheeks. :D

UrinalCake
11-07-2018, 06:21 PM
Didn't they hit an uncontested three at the buzzer to cut it to *only* 32?

That happened at the end of the first half. We were up 30 and they quickly inbounded and ran the court and hit a three at the buzzer. K was upset at our D in that play, even though we were still up 27 going into halftime.

The 82-50 game was more fun for me just because it was UNC and we trounced then so thoroughly. I believe it even clinched the regular season title for us, which we haven’t won since. But this one was fun too!

uh_no
11-07-2018, 06:26 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.

I have to largely be with you here. As someone who's signature is about how to not get too wrapped up in wins, though, that was fun. Maybe it turns out UK is really awful, or that teams haven't learned how to exploit us yet, or that we just got lightning in a bottle....but man, that win is something that will never get taken away...like River's 3 at the dean dome, or Grayson beating beating virginia a couple years ago at home. Perhaps it doesn't mean anything about the rest of the year....but it's fun.


That said, I haven't felt this excited about a team since Uconn in 2011 (when they beat UK by 17 in maui) not that that means anything, but this team has a PG who is really a PG. As much as people tried to prop Trevon up when he had good games/stretches, Jones is light years in front of where trevon was last year on both sides of the ball. To me, that will be the difference in this team. We won't win every game by 30 points, and when it's close, having someone who appears to be totally composed (at least as he's appeared so far) at the top of the offense and defense will make a difference.

Also I lost a lot of monopoly money thinking Alex would start.

gotoguy
11-07-2018, 06:32 PM
I returned home from an election party, a friend in a local state race to watch the game. I grabbed my usual seat on the end of the sofa and turned on ESPN as they were going through the football poll and nodded off (it had been a rough week with some family members' health issues). I vaguely remember the intros and the next thing I knew I woke up and the game had begun and the score was 8-2. I thought, "oh no we are down already." A closer look revealed we were ahead and I perked right up. I thought about rewinding the game to see the initial scoring but it was just too much fun to continue to watch, first with excitement, then with amazement, and finally with multiple outbursts of gleeful laughter. My 80 pound German Shepherd who usually cowers under the corner table as I yell at the TV during Duke games, came up toward the end of the first half tail wagging and licked me on the nose.

0h I hope for Zion's sake we get Bill Raffety as one of our game analysts. "Sent it in Jerome!"

duke2x
11-07-2018, 06:39 PM
I only have a few questions after seeing last night's game:

1) How close will this end up being to Duke's baseline performance[?] Did they play that 'once-a-year' perfect game? Was it just a very good game? Only an above average game? An average game? If it's ANYTHING besides a once-a-year performance, this team is LIKELY head and shoulders above the rest of the country, depending on...

2) How good is KY, really? And how close were THEY to their baseline performance? Is KY a legit top 5 team? Or will they end up as a fringe top 25 team? Did they just lay the biggest egg of the season, or were they playing average and still got blown away?

UK was not playing well in exhibition season and probably isn't a Top 25 team right now if you look at all the October/November data. Duke was playing very well in exhibition season and probably should be #1 looking at its data. All of us enjoyed and were surprised by last night's game, but there's a lot more basketball to play. Army is next.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 06:41 PM
Quick question (as I’m not sure it would it allowed):

Could we start a thread where we post quotes from other forums regarding our games against said teams? I’m only asking because I saw some hilarious posts over on Rupps Rafters regarding last nights games. Or even just a thread related to things said about the team/players/comments from other boards?! I think it could be a fun thread ... but I’m not sure it goes against any of our forum rules ... nor would I know what to call the thread.

SoCalDukeFan
11-07-2018, 06:48 PM
I have been a Duke basketball fan for over 50 years. I really don't like the OAD. While I always look forward to the season, it has kind of been with less enthusiasm the last couple of years.

I am now enthusiastically looking forward to the rest of this one. Not only are the freshmen starters really special, but the other guys also played great. The game was just really fun to watch.

SoCal

Indoor66
11-07-2018, 06:52 PM
I have been a Duke basketball fan for over 50 years. I really don't like the OAD. While I always look forward to the season, it has kind of been with less enthusiasm the last couple of years.

I am now enthusiastically looking forward to the rest of this one. Not only are the freshmen starters really special, but the other guys also played great. The game was just really fun to watch.

SoCal

I'm with you SoCal. This is a likeable group and is fun to watch. Can't really say that for '16 & '17 & '18.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 07:04 PM
Quick question (as I’m not sure it would it allowed):

Could we start a thread where we post quotes from other forums regarding our games against said teams? I’m only asking because I saw some hilarious posts over on Rupps Rafters regarding last nights games. Or even just a thread related to things said about the team/players/comments from other boards?! I think it could be a fun thread ... but I’m not sure it goes against any of our forum rules ... nor would I know what to call the thread.

If a Mod could let me know if this is allowed, I could start it ... or someone else that enjoys starting threads is more than welcome to. I have a few quotes I’d like to add ...

bullettoothtony
11-07-2018, 07:12 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.


You know, it really irks me when you show up on these threads and just... make sense.

;-)

I'm kidding of course, and you're absolutely right. And after my endorphins/adrenaline/whatever wore off enough to let me sleep last night, when I woke up today and was a little more calm, I thought about that very game.

I remember watching it in a sports bar in Raleigh near the N.C. State campus. And everyone in the place, including the non-Duke fans, was going nuts over Redick, and Duke's, performance. And it was all too easy to figuratively pencil us in on that season's Final Four bracket.

I think this squad is better than that one but that certainly doesn't mean your apropos gravitas isn't spot-on.

Namtilal
11-07-2018, 08:03 PM
Quick question (as I’m not sure it would it allowed):

Could we start a thread where we post quotes from other forums regarding our games against said teams? I’m only asking because I saw some hilarious posts over on Rupps Rafters regarding last nights games. Or even just a thread related to things said about the team/players/comments from other boards?! I think it could be a fun thread ... but I’m not sure it goes against any of our forum rules ... nor would I know what to call the thread.

I respectfully say that I think this is petty and simply does not matter. I’d rather this board be for supporting our team rather than mocking other fan bases.

wavedukefan70s
11-07-2018, 08:07 PM
I realize that last night's game has little to do with the rest of the season.that being said.
It still is absolutely wonderful that Duke destroyed kentucky in front of a Kentucky crowd.
And the added bonus it scares the crud out of UNC fans. Especially with UK not far off for them.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 08:12 PM
I respectfully say that I think this is petty and simply does not matter. I’d rather this board be for supporting our team rather than mocking other fan bases.

Oh, I’m not referring to mocking other fan bases. I’m simply stating comments referring to what other people think of our team.

Example: one analyst said something to the fact of “I’ve never believed in One and Done teams winning the Championship, but I never accounted for One and Done teams that have already collected all six Infinity Stones.” I can already see this team getting a lot more attention than usual (... if that’s possible).

BigZ
11-07-2018, 08:12 PM
Has a team ever gone from 4 to unanimous number 1 without 1 team losing ?

ndkjr70
11-07-2018, 08:14 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.

I have two responses:

1. I was ten rows from the court at this game and JJ would’ve had 80 points if Duke didn’t call off the ponies. One of the best sporting events of my life.

2. There’s no way J.J. was a consensus NPOY. Morrison was neck and neck with him all year.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 08:14 PM
Has a team ever gone from 4 to unanimous number 1 without 1 team losing ?

I don’t see Duke going to #1 unanimously, but I would love to see us take that #1 spot in general. I honestly don’t think it will happen, and I know rankings are trash right now, but I do think Duke showed enough to put us on top!

bullettoothtony
11-07-2018, 08:21 PM
I have two responses:

1. I was ten rows from the court at this game and JJ would’ve had 80 points if Duke didn’t call off the ponies. One of the best sporting events of my life.

2. There’s no way J.J. was a consensus NPOY. Morrison was neck and neck with him all year.


I think J.J won all the major awards, but Morrison was also named in a couple of them.

DFife90
11-07-2018, 08:32 PM
I’m watching it again tonight!

dukelifer
11-07-2018, 08:53 PM
December 10, 2005, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

No.1 Duke 97, No. 2 Texas 66. That Duke team had two first-team All-Americans, one of whom was consensus NPOY.

That team lost in the Sweet Sixteen.

It's a long season, folks.

Only because of tired legs

jimsumner
11-07-2018, 08:55 PM
I think J.J won all the major awards, but Morrison was also named in a couple of them.

Redick was named National Player of the Year by AP, Naismith, Rupp, Wooden, and Sporting News. Redick and Morrison shared the Robertson (US Basketball Writers) and National Association of Basketball Coaches awards.

I think that qualifies Redick as consensus NPOY.

BLPOG
11-07-2018, 09:00 PM
If a Mod could let me know if this is allowed, I could start it ... or someone else that enjoys starting threads is more than welcome to. I have a few quotes I’d like to add ...

I can see entertainment value in it, but would vote against it because I think it would "contaminate" the board. DBR is one of two longest-lasting, high-quality commentary online forums I've ever seen (DBR is #1 and has been around 2-3 times as long as the #2) and there are a couple of important attributes that I think help maintain its high quality. While we do sometimes link to awful/hilarious comments by other fan bases, I worry that an entire thread might weaken our own standards against terrible comments. Let's not drink tasty poison.

devildeac
11-07-2018, 09:37 PM
We're all excited but...

From wralsportsfan:

https://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-dominates-but-pump-the-brakes/17977314/

Good question:

"What will it be like during the rigors of ACC play when you may play three games in six days with two on the road?"

or

"Keep pounding teams like that in February and March and you'll really have my attention."

BLPOG
11-07-2018, 10:01 PM
GoDuke link (http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?clip=5901338&cid=901&db_oem_id=4200) for Duke

Couldn't find a video on GoDuke for Kentucky, so here's one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmXwQtc6eHU) I found on YouTube.


Why is the best quality video of the post game presser that BDN can find one from a hand held, shaking iPhone? I know Duke has better quality equipment. The videos they put out have great production value.

Much better video I just came across: link (https://youtu.be/XTiJkgvhd48)

HereBeforeCoachK
11-07-2018, 10:09 PM
We're all excited but...

From wralsportsfan:

https://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-dominates-but-pump-the-brakes/17977314/

Good question:

"What will it be like during the rigors of ACC play when you may play three games in six days with two on the road?"

or

"Keep pounding teams like that in February and March and you'll really have my attention."

I think Jeff Gravely misses the point, or is trying to show himself "as the adult in the room" who is "above" the emotional swings of mere fans. Grow up Jeff. No one here is talking undefeated or Natty yet...we're just basking in the glow of the biggest post game buzz about a Duke game since Laettner-against, of course, Kentucky also.

tteettimes
11-07-2018, 10:21 PM
Methinks Jeff is a homer

subzero02
11-07-2018, 10:25 PM
I don’t see Duke going to #1 unanimously, but I would love to see us take that #1 spot in general. I honestly don’t think it will happen, and I know rankings are trash right now, but I do think Duke showed enough to put us on top!

You are making an incredibly bold statement if you saw Duke play last night and still don't think they are the best team in the country right now.

Newton_14
11-07-2018, 10:43 PM
I don’t see Duke going to #1 unanimously, but I would love to see us take that #1 spot in general. I honestly don’t think it will happen, and I know rankings are trash right now, but I do think Duke showed enough to put us on top!

Oh for absolute certainty it is going to happen. After watching the two games last night there is simply no way the voters won't leapfrog Duke over Kansas. Duke shocked the world last night to steal a phrase from UConn. (Sorry Uh No buddy):cool:

It might even be unanimous.

What won't happen though I would love for it to, is for the new poll to be 1. Duke 2. Kansas 3. Kentucky. That would send chills down the backs of ever non-Duke College Basketball fan in the Country and would be hilarious.

Look I know it's just one game, the season will be a long grind, especially the conference regular season, both UVA and uncCheat have enough guns to take us down, and last night is very likely close to as good as we can play, however, this Duke team is very much for real, and even on nights when 3's aren't falling, our ability to penetrate and manufacture points will win us games with or without 3's. Heck we didn't take a high number of 3's last night by our normal standards. The 3's helped but it ain't like we won because of hot shooting from behind the arc. We won because Kentucky was unable to slow down let alone stop any of our wide variety of ways to score.

Stall ball, if we ever even use it, will be extremely efficient and fun to watch this season with RJ and Zion's ability to penetrate to score or dump off to Bolden, Zion's ability to post up and score, and Tre/Cam's ability to create for others or themselves.

This team is going to win a lot of games and should come much closer to competing for the ACC Regular Season first place finish than in recent years. Yes someone will upset them most likely in a conference road game or two, but I will be shocked if we seriously challenge for that Regular Season 1st Place Ribbon to the bitter end on the last day of the Regular Season.

We will learn more with the Maui Tournament. Until then my stance is not changing.

uh_no
11-07-2018, 10:53 PM
You are making an incredibly bold statement if you saw Duke play last night and still don't think they are the best team in the country right now.

i'm sure there is at least one voter that couldn't really care less about his/her vote and will keep kansas at 1 just because they were in front of duke before and didn't lose yet.

bullettoothtony
11-07-2018, 11:06 PM
Redick was named National Player of the Year by AP, Naismith, Rupp, Wooden, and Sporting News. Redick and Morrison shared the Robertson (US Basketball Writers) and National Association of Basketball Coaches awards.

I think that qualifies Redick as consensus NPOY.


Yep. And in case some of you may not know, Redick also won The Sullivan Award, which is an incredible honor.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 11:07 PM
You are making an incredibly bold statement if you saw Duke play last night and still don't think they are the best team in the country right now.

Okay ... maybe I could have rephrased what I said differently. No bold statement meant ... all I was trying to say was Duke won’t be unanimous #1. There will be a couple Kansas homers that will keep their vote until they see Kansas lose, or Kansas end up in a close battle with a team that has no business challenging Kansas. We know this is likely to happen because we’ve seen some ridiculous voting in the past.

Now, SHOULD Duke be #1? Without a doubt! SHOULD it be unanimous? Throw bias out the window, oh yeah! But I’ve paid attention to voting in the past and it appears some people don’t budge until a team actually drops a game.

But in my defense, I didn’t watch the game. I was out with my girls family and had to watch the updates on ESPN. So, technically it isn’t a bold statement seeing as I didn’t watch the game. I did find the whole game on YouTube already ... and I WILL watch it shortly!

subzero02
11-07-2018, 11:10 PM
i'm sure there is at least one voter that couldn't really care less about his/her vote and will keep kansas at 1 just because they were in front of duke before and didn't lose yet.

There are 65 AP poll voters... Kansas had 37 first place votes, Kentucky 19*, Gonzaga 1, Duke 4, Virginia 2, Tennessee 1 and Villanova 1. I put the over/under for Duke's first place votes at 63 and I'm taking the over.

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 11:10 PM
I can see entertainment value in it, but would vote against it because I think it would "contaminate" the board. DBR is one of two longest-lasting, high-quality commentary online forums I've ever seen (DBR is #1 and has been around 2-3 times as long as the #2) and there are a couple of important attributes that I think help maintain its high quality. While we do sometimes link to awful/hilarious comments by other fan bases, I worry that an entire thread might weaken our own standards against terrible comments. Let's not drink tasty poison.

Once again, another post I could have rephrased differently. It wouldn’t be a thread aimed at bashing anyone’s fan base/forums. I was asking for a thread aimed at funny comments/awesome stats regarding Zanos and The Black Order. Nothing regarding the complete Meltdown on Rupps Rafters and pending lynching of Cal his fan base was asking for. 😬

DukeBlue666s
11-07-2018, 11:16 PM
There are 65 AP poll voters... Kansas had 37 first place votes, Kentucky 19*, Gonzaga 1, Duke 4, Virginia 2, Tennessee 1 and Villanova 1. I put the over/under for Duke's first place votes at 63 and I'm taking the over.

So who’s going to start the petition for Duke to be ranked #1-#10? Then everyone else can follow, as long at Kentucky is ranked #26 or lower.

jdk
11-07-2018, 11:22 PM
The two games I thought of after the game were Duke/Texas 2005 and Duke/UCLA 1998. Both situations where the outcome was more of an indicator that the other guys didn't deserve their ranking. Maybe that's the case, maybe not. It's the first game of the season.

But it's nice for our guys to be on this side of the debate. This could be 1999 all over again. Who is our UConn?

bullettoothtony
11-07-2018, 11:36 PM
That Duke UCLA game was unreal. Didn't we score over 120?

subzero02
11-07-2018, 11:41 PM
That Duke UCLA game was unreal. Didn't we score over 120?

It was almost the same score as last night's game... 120-84

duke2x
11-07-2018, 11:50 PM
The two games I thought of after the game were Duke/Texas 2005 and Duke/UCLA 1998. Both situations where the outcome was more of an indicator that the other guys didn't deserve their ranking. Maybe that's the case, maybe not. It's the first game of the season.

But it's nice for our guys to be on this side of the debate. This could be 1999 all over again. Who is our UConn?

Texas 2005-2006 was a 6 seed in Duke's South region and played a virtual road game. We've run a few teams out of MSG/Meadowlands in December.
UCLA 1997-1998 was a 6 seed in Duke's South region and suffered the brunt of cancelling the series with Duke in favor of an easier road game @UNC. They suffered 3 losses like this to UNC, UK, and Duke. UCLA also scored 84 on us that day and caused a massive sales spike in green construction paper that I recall.

This is a little more impressive because it's a virtual road game. (Indy and ATL are UK's MSG and Meadowlands.) I don't want to be the #1 seed in Louisville with UK as our #6, however. :(

Don't put the ox before the cart.

SoCalDukeFan
11-08-2018, 01:00 AM
That was the first game.

I would expect that the team will get better and better as the season goes on.

We also could run into some bad breaks, tough schedule situation, injury, trap game etc.

But last night was FUN and was it really fun is thinking this team could get better.

SoCal

cptnflash
11-08-2018, 01:11 AM
The best part of today has been basking in the glow of all the ridiculous overreactions to last night's game. Talking heads on TV speculating about the possibility of an undefeated season. Dan Patrick asking with a straight face (I think) if his listeners would take Duke or the field right now to win the national championship. Stephen A Smith hyperventilating about Zion and then immediately displaying his ignorance about college basketball by saying "I gotta watch them tonight against Kansas", as if the Champions Classic was an actual tournament where the winners of the first games played against each other the next night.

It's been such an awesome day! ;-)

UrinalCake
11-08-2018, 01:13 AM
I've been reading message boards and columns and watching highlight videos all day long, and one thing that I haven't seen mentioned by ANYONE is the job that Coach K has done with this team. I understand that he will never get any credit for his coaching given the level of talent that he has at his disposal, but all of these guys have improved since the beginning of the summer. Furthermore, the level at which they played together as a team, shared the ball, and ran a system that maximized their talents was largely due to K's influence. Aside from the X's and O's, he has shaped this group of highly touted high schoolers and gotten them to put their egos aside and commit to winning, he has developed a sense of community and family to the extent that they seem to really enjoy each other off the court, and I don't think you can overlook how significant that is.

subzero02
11-08-2018, 02:03 AM
Texas 2005-2006 was a 6 seed in Duke's South region and played a virtual road game. We've run a few teams out of MSG/Meadowlands in December.
UCLA 1997-1998 was a 6 seed in Duke's South region and suffered the brunt of cancelling the series with Duke in favor of an easier road game @UNC. They suffered 3 losses like this to UNC, UK, and Duke. UCLA also scored 84 on us that day and caused a massive sales spike in green construction paper that I recall.

This is a little more impressive because it's a virtual road game. (Indy and ATL are UK's MSG and Meadowlands.) I don't want to be the #1 seed in Louisville with UK as our #6, however. :(

Don't put the ox before the cart.

Texas was the 2 seed in the Atlanta regional and lost to 4 seed LSU in the regional final. Duke was the 1 seed in that region and lost to LSU in the sweet 16. We beat Texas on December 10th 2005 earlier that year 97-66 behind 41 points from JJ. The game was played at continental airlines arena in east Rutherford new jersey( the arena is currently known as the Meadowlands).

KenTankerous
11-08-2018, 05:20 AM
I printed a couple dozen of these and put them on wind shields, handed them to, and laughed with (at, maybe) every UK license plate, sticker, t-shirt I saw yesterday.




34

imma do it again today.

budwom
11-08-2018, 06:08 AM
I have to say it was entertaining listening to Wilbon on PTI last night react to the game...he seemed pretty blown away by it, mentioning that six minutes into the game he began calling people telling them they absolutely had to see what he was watching.
I have to think K is now both justifiably praising his lads as well as cautioning them that if they go to the pool this week, they won't be able to walk on water.
Also worth noting that nationally speaking, Tre Jones seems to be something of a footnote, but not to me (nor his teammates)....pretty much a flawless performance.

arnie
11-08-2018, 06:52 AM
I think Jeff Gravely misses the point, or is trying to show himself "as the adult in the room" who is "above" the emotional swings of mere fans. Grow up Jeff. No one here is talking undefeated or Natty yet...we're just basking in the glow of the biggest post game buzz about a Duke game since Laettner-against, of course, Kentucky also.

At least Gravely acknowledges the team is special. Possibly the worst homer in the triangle, Joe Giglio, laughed at Duke being selected first in ACC. Based his point (comments were made day before the KY game) on our recent finishes in regular season and picked UVA, UNCheat 1st and 2nd. That’s fine, but the entire premise was Duke only has freshmen and we’ve seen how that works. Of course, we haven't heard from him since Monday.

hudlow
11-08-2018, 07:42 AM
From a Tar Heels fan:

"Thank God for one and dones."