MBB: Duke vs. Michigan St Pre-Game and In-Game Thread (Nov 18, 1900 EST, ESPN)

[bbosbbos]

This is the 1st real test to evaluate our Blue Devils. How will K rotate players? Who will start? Will our O work against one of the finest D? Tom Izzo's team is always very physical, big Jah, are you ready? Winslow, will you be able to slow down Dawson?

We will get the answers this Tuesday night. Go Duke!

[uh_no]

This is the 1st real test to evaluate our Blue Devils. How will K rotate players? Who will start? Will our O work against one of the finest D? Tom Izzo's team is always very physical, big Jah, are you ready? Winslow, will you be able to slow down Dawson?

We will get the answers this Tuesday night. Go Duke!

MSU teams generally start slowly, and that seems to be the case again this year, where they only scraped a 5 point win against navy. And this was not some "big lead put in the scrubs navy claws back," the largest lead was 8, and that was only reached once. Most of the time it was around that 5 point range.

prediction? duke rolls.

[MChambers]

This is the 1st real test to evaluate our Blue Devils. How will K rotate players? Who will start? Will our O work against one of the finest D? Tom Izzo's team is always very physical, big Jah, are you ready? Winslow, will you be able to slow down Dawson?

We will get the answers this Tuesday night. Go Duke!

Don't know how much Winslow will be on Dawson. At least against Navy, judging from the box score, Dawson played the "4". MSU doesn't have much inside depth, but does have more depth in the backcourt, although one starting guard hurt his ankle against Navy. Don't know if he'll be available Tuesday.

Also, it is important to note that Lourawls Nairn is actually Lourawls Nairn Jr.

[Troublemaker]

MSU teams generally start slowly, and that seems to be the case again this year, where they only scraped a 5 point win against navy. And this was not some "big lead put in the scrubs navy claws back," the largest lead was 8, and that was only reached once. Most of the time it was around that 5 point range.

prediction? duke rolls.

Yeah, MSU does have two good ball-handlers in Trice and Valentine and they'll make some plays against Duke's pressure but probably not nearly enough to avoid a solid Duke victory.

[Troublemaker]

Matchups, to start with, should be:

Tyus on Trice
Cook on Forbes, a 6'3" shooter that transferred from Cleveland St.
Winslow on Valentine, MSU's best player, imo
Amile on Dawson
Okafor on Costello

[uh_no]

Matchups, to start with, should be:

Tyus on Trice
Cook on Forbes, a 6'3" shooter that transferred from Cleveland St.
Winslow on Valentine, MSU's best player, imo
Amile on Dawson
Okafor on Costello

cook has been phenomenal in his new role on the offense (and i'll be the first to admit, after having been highly critical of him over the years). It will be interesting to see how he fares against guards that can break him down on D...will we have to revert to sheed or matt jones if quinn still has trouble on the perimeter? and if so, how will the offense function without him?

[Tripping William]

Cook on Forbes, a 6'3" shooter that transferred from Cleveland St.

Did he transfer as a ripple-effect from the Wainstein Report. You know, to get out in front of Cleveland St's impending probation?

Seriously, it will be fun to see Duke against Tourney-quality competition. Can't wait!

[CDu]

cook has been phenomenal in his new role on the offense (and i'll be the first to admit, after having been highly critical of him over the years). It will be interesting to see how he fares against guards that can break him down on D...will we have to revert to sheed or matt jones if quinn still has trouble on the perimeter? and if so, how will the offense function without him?

We will have to wait to answer that question because breaking folks down off the dribble isn't a strength of these MSU guards.

[Potato Head]

cook has been phenomenal in his new role on the offense (and i'll be the first to admit, after having been highly critical of him over the years). It will be interesting to see how he fares against guards that can break him down on D...will we have to revert to sheed or matt jones if quinn still has trouble on the perimeter? and if so, how will the offense function without him?

I'm more interested in whether he keeps this type of shooting up for an entire season. I bet Quinn will be quicker than most 2's he'll face this season, but even if he does get beaten regularly we're so much better at team defense than last season that I'm not sure it will matter a great deal.

[gep]

I'm more interested in whether he keeps this type of shooting up for an entire season. I bet Quinn will be quicker than most 2's he'll face this season, but even if he does get beaten regularly we're so much better at team defense than last season that I'm not sure it will matter a great deal.

Yes... team defense this year looks to be a lot better. So Quinn can pressure his man, knowing that his back is covered. This should really help him and the team with defensive overall pressure.

[jipops]

If our guys show up with light blue unis the MSU players will go into a daze, and we'll win this thing by 60.

[uh_no]

We will have to wait to answer that question because breaking folks down off the dribble isn't a strength of these MSU guards.

i'm guessing they're somewhat more capable than kenpom 319 presbyterian and kenpom 205 fairfield

(17)

We've seen it before with quinn too, gaudy performances early in the year, and then poor play against tougher competition in pressure situations. As I mentioned earlier, I really like what I have seen out of him this far...but just as every team looks like a final four contender in november, every player looks like an all american as well.

I'm cautiously optimistic, lets say...which is more than I generally am

[NYBri]

I have a really good feeling about this team. The depth and defense will keep those bad stretches short and keep us from those end of game meltdowns of the recent past.

Optimism abounds every year around this time, but this year's version doesn't have "Blue Devil Blindness" where I refuse to see the bad and exaggerate the good. This year it's more fact based than wishful thinking and the apparent TEAM feeling is the main reason. That and the realization that Winslow's and Allen's skills are so good gives me reason to embrace the reality that this team is special.

[COYS]

i'm guessing they're somewhat more capable than kenpom 319 presbyterian and kenpom 205 fairfield

(17)

We've seen it before with quinn too, gaudy performances early in the year, and then poor play against tougher competition in pressure situations. As I mentioned earlier, I really like what I have seen out of him this far...but just as every team looks like a final four contender in november, every player looks like an all american as well.

I'm cautiously optimistic, lets say...which is more than I generally am

Sparty is always a physical team, even the 2014/15 Spartans don't look to have the muscle of past squads. It will also be interesting to see how the relatively small backcourt duo of Quinn and Tyus fare against physical defense. Also, we'll see what happens when Justise and Jahlil are faced with guys who are strong and don't mind pushing back.

Overall, though, I'm optimistic, too. Our offense has been designed around layups and three pointers . . . all off of excellent ball movement. That's an efficient recipe. So far, icing ball screens has been a revelation in terms of limiting dribble penetration, and the Spartans aren't as big of a threat in that department as some teams. Finally, Duke just has a lot of skilled guys. Justise has been pretty phenomenal thus far, playing more like a top 5 recruit than one that fell outside of the top 10. His slashing ability adds a little sauce to our meat (dump it to Jahlil to score or pass out of a double) and potatoes (drive and kick for three) offense. Amile is a threat around the basket. We seem to have plenty of capable shooters . . . at least as long as we keep up the good ball movement. And Jahlil is like a get-out-of-jail-free card. When the offense stalls, run a screen to get him open on the low block and watch the scoreboard light up for two more points.

Defensively, Duke has Tyus, Quinn, Rasheed, Matt, and even Grayson to relentlessly badger opposing ball handlers. Amile and Justise appear to be defensive aces. And Jahlil hasn't been too shaby on defense, either, even if he hasn't been challenged that much. Marshall is an asset off the bench.

I expect the game to be tough tomorrow. But I am optimistic that this Duke team is ready for the challenge.

[Edouble]

Sparty is always a physical team, even the 2014/15 Spartans don't look to have the muscle of past squads. It will also be interesting to see how the relatively small backcourt duo of Quinn and Tyus fare against physical defense. Also, we'll see what happens when Justise and Jahlil are faced with guys who are strong and don't mind pushing back.

Overall, though, I'm optimistic, too. Our offense has been designed around layups and three pointers . . . all off of excellent ball movement. That's an efficient recipe. So far, icing ball screens has been a revelation in terms of limiting dribble penetration, and the Spartans aren't as big of a threat in that department as some teams. Finally, Duke just has a lot of skilled guys. Justise has been pretty phenomenal thus far, playing more like a top 5 recruit than one that fell outside of the top 10. His slashing ability adds a little sauce to our meat (dump it to Jahlil to score or pass out of a double) and potatoes (drive and kick for three) offense. Amile is a threat around the basket. We seem to have plenty of capable shooters . . . at least as long as we keep up the good ball movement. And Jahlil is like a get-out-of-jail-free card. When the offense stalls, run a screen to get him open on the low block and watch the scoreboard light up for two more points.

Defensively, Duke has Tyus, Quinn, Rasheed, Matt, and even Grayson to relentlessly badger opposing ball handlers. Amile and Justise appear to be defensive aces. And Jahlil hasn't been too shaby on defense, either, even if he hasn't been challenged that much. Marshall is an asset off the bench.

I expect the game to be tough tomorrow. But I am optimistic that this Duke team is ready for the challenge.

Well, it won't be Quinn's first time against MSU. He's played them twice before.

2011: 2 minutes, 1 foul

2013: 21 minutes, 0-5 FG, 2 assists, 3 TO, 3 fouls

Third times the charm, perhaps?

[rsvman]

Well, it won't be Quinn's first time against MSU. He's played them twice before.

2011: 2 minutes, 1 foul

2013: 21 minutes, 0-5 FG, 2 assists, 3 TO, 3 fouls

Third times the charm, perhaps?

Right, but we won both of those games, did we not?

Still a team game, and even more so this year.

[Billy Dat]

Also, it is important to note that Lourawls Nairn is actually Lourawls Nairn Jr.

Sr. told Jr's Mom, "You'll never find, another name like mine"

[CDu]

Well, it won't be Quinn's first time against MSU. He's played them twice before.

2011: 2 minutes, 1 foul

2013: 21 minutes, 0-5 FG, 2 assists, 3 TO, 3 fouls

Third times the charm, perhaps?

It won't be Cook's first game against MSU, but this MSU team isn't like previous MSU teams - especially in the backcourt. Those previous meetings included matchups with Keith Appling (both games), Brandon Wood, and Gary Harris. This team is led by Travis Trice (a tiny guard not noted for imposing defense) and Bryn Forbes (an even skinnier player than Trice if that's possible). Big step down in quality and physicality.

[Edouble]

It won't be Cook's first game against MSU, but this MSU team isn't like previous MSU teams - especially in the backcourt. Those previous meetings included matchups with Keith Appling (both games), Brandon Wood, and Gary Harris. This team is led by Travis Trice (a tiny guard not noted for imposing defense) and Bryn Forbes (an even skinnier player than Trice if that's possible). Big step down in quality and physicality.

It is indeed.

The OP's comments concerned physical defense, the style that I will assume that Izzo will have his players ready to play. Perhaps the players are too raw and it is too early in the season to make this assumption.

But no, I would not presume that this Spartan team will present the challenge that we got from them in the previous two games that I mentioned. In fact, I'll be shocked if Quinn scores less than 10 points and if we win by less than 20.

[kAzE]

We're the #1 offense according to kenpom, but without adjusting for schedule or pace, we're in the top 5 in the nation overall for scoring (4th, 111.0), assists (5th, 26.0), and field goal percentage (4th 62.6%) right now. Hard to imagine those numbers persisting through the next series of games, but WHAT A START.