Not mentioned is FSU has had a long break as well and then have to travel to Durham. Both teams will probably have a little rust to start this one. Would like to see Duvall get going offensively after he drops a handful of assists first of course.
Do you have a source for that, UC? It seems unlikely that we would be able to practice every day during exams. With that said, we did get a couple of extra practices in post-exams because we played Evansville on the Wednesday after exams instead of on the Monday after exams, and Monday was how we did it in two of the past three years. (In the third year, we played on a Tuesday, which was a blowout win. Just getting in an extra practice or two helps, it seems.)
As for this current holiday break, according to Coach K, the team was back in Durham on the 26th with no practice that day. And they would've had the 27th, 28th, and 29th to practice before playing FSU. I think they'll be ready.
One more thing. As far as I know, Duke has never played either a post-exam game or a post-Christmas game while 0-1 in the ACC until this season. I expect Duke to play with its hair on fire again against FSU; I think we will be extremely motivated to lift ourselves of last place in the ACC.
I'll be interested in seeing if dialing up the ball pressure (which might be a permanent defensive adjustment post-BC) will be disruptive and turnover-producing against a good ACC team in FSU. It certainly was disruptive and turnover-producing against Evansville, and I believe it will be again today. In our fake-money DBR gambling contest, I took Duke to cover. We'll see how that goes.
I'm hoping that Grayson has a solid-very good game today against FSU. In his 4 games against the Seminoles, he's shooting 33%(11/33)overall and 20%(3/15)from three, averaging 7.8ppg. The per game average reflects limited minutes against the 'Noles as a freshman(11 min)and the second game against FSU last year with his ankle injury(16 min). I'm hoping he can hit for 16-22(+)points today. Let's go, Duke!
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A couple of things bother me about his game. He is not communicating at all out there. This i feel will be our undoing in March, not his shooting.
I feel he should be wreaking havoc on defense. He's not.
I feel like he should be penetrating at will. He's not.
He is nowhere close to the player i thought we were getting. Not hating just saying.
I am frustrated with our incredibly flawed and trashy defense.
FSU is a solid team but no one on their roster should have 22+ points in one half. Duke has to figure out a way to stop allowing an opposing player to have a career game against them.
And Duke's free throws...
I just don't know what you ask the, to do. FSU made two banked in threes, at least one from nba range, and a couple more that were heavily contested. Of the ones they made, only 2 or 3 were actually open shots in rhythm from a reasonable distance. Our D probably deserved to give up high 30's to low 40's at most. Not great by any means, but I wouldn't want them changing what they do because FSU is banking stuff it. Make them repeat those shots again.
Sure there were 2 banked threes but there's really no reason to make excuses for this defense. The defense is very bad and it's a very big problem.
I dont know why we are still playing pressure man to man
This team was made for zone or straight up m2m
Hopefully the bank is closed for FSU in the 2nd half.
I completely agree. One play that really sticks out in mind happened with about 4:40 left in the half. Carter was playing defense on an FSU big (maybe Walker) and Trent went running after them down by the baseline. He stood there while the ball got passed to the top of the key and then kicked out to a wide open Cofer who hit the three. I am not blaming Trent but this is just one example of poorly executed defense on Duke's part. They just don't seem to know what to do and maybe it is because they are freshman. FSU is in this game for a variety of reasons including Duke's struggles on defense.
Glad I didn't post my halftime thoughts as we look much better now. Let's finish them off! Some bench points! Go Alex!