MBB: Duke v BC (Tue, Feb 5, 7 pm ET, ESPN) Pre-Game and In-Game Thread

[JBDuke]

Duke hosts BC this Tuesday at 7 pm ET on ESPN's main network. This game will be part of the "Crossover" event at ESPN, which they've done for several years now. Hubie Brown, who usually does NBA games for ESPN, will join the college crew for this one. Sadly, I think Dick Vitale is also doing the game, so Hubie may not get much air time. In the past, I've found Brown's commentary interesting and insightful.

[MChambers]

Yes, Hubie is a great commentator. Too bad he's doing a game involving one of the ACC's weakest teams. It would be more interesting to hear him doing a matchup of top teams.

Another payback game, like the St. John's game. T-Rank predicts 94-68.

I assume Duke will defense Bowman like it did Ponds, with Tre getting the assignment, and our bigs hedging aggressively.

[Devilwin]

Duke hosts BC this Tuesday at 7 pm ET on ESPN's main network. This game will be part of the "Crossover" event at ESPN, which they've done for several years now. Hubie Brown, who usually does NBA games for ESPN, will join the college crew for this one. Sadly, I think Dick Vitale is also doing the game, so Hubie may not get much air time. In the past, I've found Brown's commentary interesting and insightful.

How fortunate we are.. Vitale again!!!!!!!!!!! Yay, Dickie V!! lol

[gocanes0506]

This game is a traditional trap game before the another big game. I feel more confident about a win because its at home. Strong performance in the 2nd half to blow it open.

Does K wait until the end of the half/ start of the 2nd to tell Zion to demand the ball? Or does Zion want to play team ball but decides when he wants to take over? I expect the later because he is a team focused guy. It may be a mixture too. Z wants to play team ball and coach demands he goes and takes over the game.

Zion taking the ball to the hoop really drives a scoring run that blows the game open. Just a thought I’ve pondered on.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Does K wait until the end of the half/ start of the 2nd to tell Zion to demand the ball? Or does Zion want to play team ball but decides when he wants to take over? I expect the later because he is a team focused guy. It may be a mixture too. Z wants to play team ball and coach demands he goes and takes over the game.

Zion taking the ball to the hoop really drives a scoring run that blows the game open. Just a thought I’ve pondered on.

Vis a vis your thoughts above: I am very interested to hear Hubie Brown's take on RJ

[TeacherTom]

I am more than thankful for the mute button.

[budwom]

I am more than thankful for the mute button.

I'm a huge mute button fan as well, but am working on a Vitale Silencing App which is going to make me millions.

By the way (I'm limited in my tech knowledge) I was visiting a pal for the ND game who only has Roku (the video quality was sub optimal for sure) and they had the backboard cam option which I found interesting, because you got the crowd noise but no commentary, and an interesting angle on the action. A good alternative to the mute button.

[AGDukesky]

Watching ESPN all these years has trained me to completely ignore the commentators. I rarely even notice them talking...

[thedukelamere]

You guys are crazy... I'm really looking forward to hearing how it took Dickie V three tries to get 1500 on his SAT and how he can see someone's NBA potential despite only having one good eye for the 1000th time.

[DavidBenAkiva]

This is the Calm Before the Storm game. After a matchup with BC on Tuesday, things really get tough for Duke.

@ Virginia
@ Louisville
vs. NC State
vs. UNC
@ Syracuse
@ Virginia Tech

My head tells me that Duke can win all of these games, but we should be happy with 4 victories. To win 5 would be fantastic. The good news for this stretch is that Duke won'g have to play any Monday games the rest of the (regular) season.

[ndkjr70]

I’d sign up for 4 in the next 5 without question. Although only if I could get a guarantee that a certain one of those games falls in our favor.

[wsb3]

You guys are crazy... I'm really looking forward to hearing how it took Dickie V three tries to get 1500 on his SAT and how he can see someone's NBA potential despite only having one good eye for the 1000th time.

And how much he hates the alternate possession for jump balls.

[dukelifer]

This is the Calm Before the Storm game. After a matchup with BC on Tuesday, things really get tough for Duke.

@ Virginia
@ Louisville
vs. NC State
vs. UNC
@ Syracuse
@ Virginia Tech

My head tells me that Duke can win all of these games, but we should be happy with 4 victories. To win 5 would be fantastic. The good news for this stretch is that Duke won'g have to play any Monday games the rest of the (regular) season.

A stretch that will make or break the chance for the regular season title.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

I'm a huge mute button fan as well, but am working on a Vitale Silencing App which is going to make me millions.
.

Please PM me about investing...are you close?

[Lar77]

This is the Calm Before the Storm game. After a matchup with BC on Tuesday, things really get tough for Duke.

@ Virginia
@ Louisville
vs. NC State
vs. UNC
@ Syracuse
@ Virginia Tech

My head tells me that Duke can win all of these games, but we should be happy with 4 victories. To win 5 would be fantastic. The good news for this stretch is that Duke won'g have to play any Monday games the rest of the (regular) season.

Oddly, I think the Va Tech game might be the toughest. They have a "puncher's chance". I think we will be more than ready for UVa and we will have a full team. Tough stretch to be sure considering State may be the easiest to win and they always play us hard (but no Yurtseven this year)

[CDu]

BC is a team that has occasionally given Duke teams fits, most notably on the road. They are usually not good, but the atmosphere at BC is so bland that perhaps we fall asleep at the wheel. There have been a few semi-talented teams there over the years, but in general this has essentially been a midmajor playing against Duke for the better part of a decade. This season is not really an exception, although BC is better than usual (although a bit worse than last year's BC team).

BC is coached by Jim Christian, yet another in a growing line of midmajor coaches that have been chosen to head the team in recent years. They play at an average pace, and are an okay offensive team overall. Their best skills offensively are drawing fouls and avoiding turnovers. But they do pretty much everything else poorly. In aggregate, they are a lower-end Power-5 offense. But they are a terrible defensive team, and do pretty much nothing well on that end of the floor. It is a game we should win comfortably (especially at home), with a lack of focus or a monster night by one or more of their two really good players being the only realistic way a loss happens.

Centers: Nik Popovic (6'11", 250lb junior from Bosnia and Herzegovina via high school in Florida) is the man in the middle. Popovic plays with a chip on his shoulder and is kind of fiery. He fancies himself a perimeter threat, but that hasn't really materialized for him. But he's a rugged player, not overly athletic but not a total wash either. Solid rebounder, and a productive player inside. He's a 14 and 7 guy for the Eagles and a solid ACC-level contributor. Behind Popovic is Luka Kraljevic (6'10", 230lb sophomore from Slovenia). Kraljevic has some touch around the basket and from the perimeter, but he hasn't caught up to the physicality and speed of the college game. He plays somewhat sparingly and the most notable thing he contributes is fouls. Lastly, as needed is Johncarlos Reyes (6'10", 215lb fourth-year junior). Reyes brings no finesse or touch to the game at all. He's a lanky, high-energy player who doesn't shoot more than at the rim and contributes little other than a few minutes and fouls and the occasional block. Reyes and Kraljevic have swapped roles throughout the season, though neither has been effective.

Forwards: Steffon Mitchell (6'8" 220lb sophomore) is the primary option at forward for the Eagles. Mitchell is a high-motor, dirty-work guy who pounds the glass on both ends and blocks some shots and draws fouls around the basket. He's also a very willing passer, with a nearly 3:1 assist to turnover ratio. He has virtually no scoring chops or shooting touch though, and defers to teammates entirely on that role. Mitchell is athletic enough to guard wings, and is a true glue guy for the Eagles. Jairus Hamilton (6'8", 235lb freshman) is the other option there. Hamilton was a top-100 recruit with a fantastic frame and terrific athleticism. He has the potential to be a monster on the glass and scoring around the basket. But his basketball skill set is still pretty raw as he has mainly gotten by on size and athleticism to this point. He has a bright future for BC, but he's been pretty up-and-down this season.

Wings: Jordan Chapman (6'5", 210lb fifth-year senior via BYU) is the headliner on the wing. Chapman should be familiar to us as he was on fire last year against us at BC. Chapman is on the floor to shoot, and he can really shoot it. About 2/3 of his FG attempts are from 3. He is also a very good free throw shooter, but he doesn't really draw a lot of fouls as he isn't terribly strong off the dribble. He's a lanky, not overly athletic wing, and he's not a great defender. Again, he's essentially a gunner for the Eagles, taking over 6 threes per game. We should avoid losing track of him on the floor. Alongside Chapman is Jared Hamilton (6'4", 205lb junior transfer from Ga Southern and Jacksonville St). Hamilton is the older brother of Jairus. He joined BC last spring, so his BC career didn't begin until the Spring semester this year. He's worked his way into the starting lineup. Jared is the wing version of his younger brother: highly athletic but raw offensively. He's sort of the yin to Chapman's yang, providing the athleticism/physicality and hustle to Chapman's skill. The only option off the bench for the Eagles is Chris Herren Jr (6'3", 175lb freshman). Herren is the son and namesake of a former prep legend and eventual NBA player from the Boston area (Chris Herren Sr). The elder Herren was a troubled kid who struggled throughout his life with drug problems, but has righted his ship and serves as a motivational speaker these days. It's cool that his son has made it to BC; the dad was at BC briefly before falling out out school with drug problems and winding up as a second-chance case for Tark at Fresno St. Herren Jr was a walk-on who reclassified to this class and was given a scholarship. He's a good shooter though not the athlete or player that his dad was. Still, it's a nice story. [side note: Herren Jr isn't the only son of a troubled Boston-area star who plays for BC; Vin Baker Jr (6'7", 185lb sophomore forward) also plays occasionally for the Eagles]

Guards: Ky Bowman (6'1", 190lb junior) is the man that runs the Eagles' show. Bowman is an uber-athlete at lead guard. He was fairly heavily recruited to play football by UNC, but chose basketball and came to BC because UNC wouldn't give him a serious look at bball. He is fast, strong, explosive, and fearless. An elite rebounder for a guard, and he scores at all 3 levels. He reminds a little bit of Russell Westbrook in terms of size and physical tools. He's an absolute dynamo, though a bit turnover prone. But considering how limited BC is in terms of talent, that is understandable. If he were a couple of inches taller, he'd likely be in the NBA right now. As is, he probably will be playing in the league fairly soon. It will be yet another really big assignment for Tre Jones. Wynston Tabbs (6'2", 195lb freshman) is the other option. He has missed several games due to a knee injury, so I'm not sure if he'll be available. If not, the Eagles are REALLY limited offensively, as he and Bowman are the only ballhandlers and playmakers on the team. Tabbs is not quite the athlete that Bowman is, but he's also a fearless scorer and capable playmaker. Tabbs has had a few monster games for the Eagles, and they desperately need him to compete with us.

This is a game that we should win comfortably. BC lacks the depth of talent needed to threaten us (especially if Tabbs remains out), and don't have the athleticism to keep up with Williamson and Barrett. Bowman and Chapman may be able to keep them relevant as they are capable of carrying a load offensively, but it's hard to see the Eagles keeping our offense from running smoothly. Hopefully the team can stay engaged and not let the Eagles hang around and get irrationally confident.

[DUKIE V(A)]

You guys are crazy... I'm really looking forward to hearing how it took Dickie V three tries to get 1500 on his SAT and how he can see someone's NBA potential despite only having one good eye for the 1000th time.

I wonder if Dickie V will offer any opinions on where Zion should be drafted and his potential fit with the New York Knicks...

As far as the BC game goes, this is another opportunity for payback as well as an excellent opportunity to get everyone involved and feeling good heading into the meat of our ACC schedule.

[DavidBenAkiva]

Oddly, I think the Va Tech game might be the toughest. They have a "puncher's chance". I think we will be more than ready for UVa and we will have a full team. Tough stretch to be sure considering State may be the easiest to win and they always play us hard (but no Yurtseven this year)

That depends on the health of their senior point guard, Justin Robinson. Without him, that puts an awful lot of pressure on Nickeil Alexander-Walker to be the primary scorer and facilitator. Robinson was in a walking boot over the weekend and is listed as out indefinitely. Against NC State, the Hokies were only able to put up 47 points. VA Tech is a thin team as-is, so losing Robinson for a stretch is a big blow. It was their worst offensive performance of the season. Of course, NC State helped by providing their worst offensive performance ever.

[DukieInBrasil]

This is the Calm Before the Storm game. After a matchup with BC on Tuesday, things really get tough for Duke.

@ Virginia
@ Louisville
vs. NC State
vs. UNC
@ Syracuse
@ Virginia Tech

My head tells me that Duke can win all of these games, but we should be happy with 4 victories. To win 5 would be fantastic. The good news for this stretch is that Duke won'g have to play any Monday games the rest of the (regular) season.

All of those teams are either tied for 1st or tied for the 2nd best record, except State. I agree that if this team retains its focus, plays good D and the ball rolls our way, we could win all of those games. 4-2 would be a decent result, particularly if we beat UVA and UNC.

A stretch that will make or break the chance for the regular season title.

yep, all except State are right there with Duke in terms of vying for the league reg. season title. I would love for this team to sweep this stretch. The fact that we beat UVA w/o Tre, and that our only loss came w/o Cam (a relatively late scratch) and in-game loss of our undisputed floor general, in OT, gives me hope that we can in fact sweep this stretch. That Tre & Zion ball-pressure trap has been an absolutely devastating combo move, leading to steals and run out dunks. The fact that UNC doesn't really have a PG gives me hope that we'll spank 'em.

[COYS]

We've often talked about how good this team can be when Cam is hitting threes, RJ is efficient, and Zion is . . . well . . . the phenomenon he is. However, I'm also curious to see how good we are if we can get all of the role players hitting on all cylinders. As Marques has reached a new level of consistency, Jack and Jav have struggled just a bit. Jav made some nice progress against St. Johns. And I'm not trying to knock Jack, either. He has exceeded my expectations going into this season and is still a valuable contributor. Still, I'd like to see Jav and Jack get back up to the level they were playing earlier in the season. With all of our talent, we're already a tough team to beat. But when Jack, Jav, and Marques are all three consistently doing the dirty work on D and being opportunistic on O, it really raises our ceiling. Marques has really set a new standard over the past few weeks. Now I hope Jack and Jav can make the leap to match him.