MBB: Duke vs. Syracuse (Sat 2/24, 6:15 p.m. on ESPN) Pre-Game and In-Game Thread

[Bob Green]

Carter is suited up and playing in case anyone was nervous 😬

I wasn't nervous but thanks for the information!

[indy1duke]

Bags looks good going through warm ups. He has not lost any hops.

[riverside6]

Live tempo-based stats for Duke/Syracuse, starters posted...
https://www.scacchoops.com/syracuse-...stats-02242018

[jwillfan]

Bilas doing the KU game so we don't have to suffer him

[kmspeaks]

Bilas doing the KU game so we don't have to suffer him

I'd rather have Bilas than Vitale, he's easier to ignore.

[jipops]

Nobody can score from the perimeter in this game.

[AGDukesky]

So Bagley returns and Allen suddenly can’t shoot anymore...

[TheOldBattleship]

Both teams are starting to run nice offense against the zone: lots of interior passing, overloads to make the 5s make tough choices, and good finishing around the rim. Gotta adjust and have our wings crash down a bit earlier, much like we did in the last game. Most notable thing about the game so far to me (other than Bagley looking pretty good in his first game back) is the physicality that the refs are allowing. There's a LOT of contact being allowed when guys are going up for shots, and especially when there are loose balls. Gotta stay tough but not lose our tempers (Allen's gotta lead the way, there).

[TheOldBattleship]

There's a LOT of contact being allowed when guys are going up for shots, and especially when there are loose balls.

I should have said that there's a lot of contact being allowed by the refs *for everyone except DeLaurier*.

[Mak P]

Why is our guards missing at home?

[Eternal Outlaw]

Both teams are starting to run nice offense against the zone: lots of interior passing, overloads to make the 5s make tough choices, and good finishing around the rim. Gotta adjust and have our wings crash down a bit earlier, much like we did in the last game. Most notable thing about the game so far to me (other than Bagley looking pretty good in his first game back) is the physicality that the refs are allowing. There's a LOT of contact being allowed when guys are going up for shots, and especially when there are loose balls. Gotta stay tough but not lose our tempers (Allen's gotta lead the way, there).

And yet without fail, they still called one of our bigs for an offensive foul trying to lock in position thinking that physical level is allowed.

[mr. synellinden]

By my calculation, Syracuse had .5 PPP that half. Wow.

The defense looks fast, lightning quick and cohesive. A step ahead of their offense - almost like we know in advance where the ball is going. This zone is devastating right now with the length and athleticism at every position.

[TheOldBattleship]

The pace is very much in line with how we've been playing defensively the past few games, and, again, it's pretty obviously working. Other than a short stretch of a few possessions from about the 8 min mark to the 5 min mark, Cuse can't get ANYTHING going offensively, and the fact that they are almost invariably down to a few seconds on the clock by the time they get anything initiated is certainly not helping them out. (And for the doubters out there, Bagley has, in general, fit right into the zone scheme defensively.)

[Dub]

We just gave up 16 points in the entire first half!?! Let that sink in. We’re turning into UVA-Durham at the absolute perfect time. If Grayson and Gary start heating up, ‘Cuse will get ran out of the gym. And MBIII just picks up where he left off. He makes the game of basketball look so easy offensively. Looking forward to an exciting (hopefully stress-free) second half! Let’s go Duke!

[BlueDevilBrowns]

By my calculation, Syracuse had .5 PPP that half. Wow.

The defense looks fast, lightning quick and cohesive. A step ahead of their offense - almost like we know in advance where the ball is going. This zone is devastating right now with the length and athleticism at every position.

Agreed. Defense is active, energetic, and suffocating.

The offense needs to slow down. We run some motion sets, stay patient, and get good looks, the shots will fall.

Overall, this team is getting better.

[TheOldBattleship]

And yet without fail, they still called one of our bigs for an offensive foul trying to lock in position thinking that physical level is allowed.

Ugh, I know, right? I feel like the powers that be in the NCAA have secretly mandated at least one of that type of call (that basically never makes any sense in the game flow) must be made in every half of every college basketball game.

[Chard]

So Bagley returns and Allen suddenly can’t shoot anymore...

Other than Bagley, nobody is shooting very well.

[hibby91]

We are getting a lot of contributions and minutes from our bench. 4 people playing a role. It will probably tighten up in the second half, but it is nice that K seems to trust the bench to hold their own.

[jv001]

Grayson and Gary are shooting a little quicker than normal because the Syracuse guards are closing fast on three point attempts. Need the shot fake and drive or reload for the three. The inside passing has been great with Carter and Bags looking good. Another good performance for Jack and Coach K seems to have confidence in the Aussie. GoDuke!

[juise]

We are getting a lot of contributions and minutes from our bench. 4 people playing a role. It will probably tighten up in the second half, but it is nice that K seems to trust the bench to hold their own.

Another genius move by Coach K. Need to bolster the bench contribution? Bring Bagley off the bench. Done and done. Scheyer must be proud.