JRob is certainly not lost out there and makes good decisions. He has practiced against a lot of great players. I am sure most every players he sees out there are not in Bagley's, Carters', Zion's or even Bolden's league. Hey it is working- he is responding- I say let's keep it going.
Actually, UNC plays a 7-man rotation. Not that deep.
And if we're going to play a zone, we're probably going to play fewer players than usual since the guys don't expend as much energy in a zone. I would expect Jack and AOC to be out of the rotation. Maybe another player or two also.
UNC historically has been a great team against the zone and this season put up 92 points in the Carrier Dome. It's true that they're not usually loaded with shooters, but their passing and offensive rebounding against the zone are amazing.
Now, with that said, Duke should zone them, anyway.
I loved the aggressiveness on offense in the second half. That attacking style from every position (even JG) has been missing the last few weeks. We drove and dished and when we fed Carey he attacked everyone they threw at him and made some nice passes. I was nervous after another sluggish, passive first half. I think you guys were right that the zone forcing some long misses and turnovers leading to run outs and easy (for me to say) baskets really lit the fuse. I guess that is another key for a young team...needing to siphon that emotion from somewhere rather than having to self-ignite it.
I fully believe the zone was key and needed to stop their guard penetration off the high screens, but there were a lot of uncontested shots that State just missed. Not sure that is a long term strategy, but could be effective in spurts. Carolina might not be a great 3 point shooting team, but that elbow shot will kill us. They wont miss as many as State did.
Still confused by the substitutions. Joey starts and then only plays a handful of minutes. Hurt had some solid moments in the first half but I'm not even sure he stood up in the second half. Seems like it would be hard for these kids to get into a rhythm in one game and them across multiple games with such inconsistent rotations. I know K is playing matchups and feeling out who has the energy/hot hand in a given game, but I would be frustrated as a player.
Last edited by RollDevils; 03-02-2020 at 10:42 PM. Reason: Fat fingers
The spark for our season is JRob and the 2-3 zone. Reminiscent of two years ago when Marvin was a defensive liability and we were getting torched on the dribble penetration. Good way to hide Vernon’s deficiencies on the ball screen.
Now the real test. Last few times we had decisive wins we started to think our poop doesn’t stink and lost our poise. Let’s play out the season with fury and a real chip on our shoulder starting Saturday! All I ask is that we play with great intensity and mental fortitude for the rest of the season. Go Duke!
Is key for everyone, but Cassius and Wendell in particular. We need those guys on offense and they are so mich more effective when they play strong. Wendell is stronger and longer than pretty much everyone who guards him...he can score in the paint when he remembers that. When he lowers himself and hesitates, he gives the defense a chance. Cassius’ best trait is his explosiveness...when he combines that with playing strong with the ball...he is hard to guard.
And my Tv can vouch for this...but I was calling for the zone halfway thru the first half.
Windy City Devil
Great win after being outplayed in the first half (and still somehow leading at halftime).
Keep it going.
#UndefeatedinMarch
My only game in Cameron this year, and it was a good one! Cameron was loud! And the lady behind me only poked me once to tell me to sit down.
Markell Johnson was killing us the first 15 minutes. The switch to zone allowed us to get back into it, despite how poorly we had been shooting. We closed the half well, then finally came alive offensively in the second half.
Great game! Fun win! Loved the zone!
Offensive execution won this game. Starting after a Markell Johnson turnover with 15:35 to play, Duke had 26 possessions the rest of the game (including one possession dribbling the ball out at the end). We had 44 points on those 26 possessions (1.69 points per possessions), scoring on 23 of the 26, including a 10+ minute stretch in which we did not have an empty possession, scoring on 17 straight trips, which is insane. In the last 15:35, we shot 14-21 from the field and rebounded 6 of our 7 misses (NC State also picked up a DR off of a missed FT), plus we added 15-19 from the line. Here’s how it shook out:
Jones 2 FT after 2 ORs
Jones 3
Moore layup
Cassius layup after 2 ORs
Goldwire layup
Moore 2
Cassius dunk
Cassius 2 FT
Cassius dunk
Carey 1-2 FT
Carey 1-2 FT
Cassius 2 &1
Cassius 1-2 FT
Goldwire 2
Carey 2
Carey dunk
Moore 2 FT
Moore TO
Cassius 2
Carey 2 FT after an OR
Jones 2
Jones 2 FT
Jones miss
Jones 1-2 FT
J-Rob dunk after OR
Dribble out
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke
It was no wonder the guys did better the second half. They had to play the entire first half of offense with Keatts out on the floor practically in their shorts and yelling in their ears!! The ref asked him once to get back of the line but never inforced it. Shoulda had a couple to big fat T's called on him, bless his unsportsmanlike heart.
Love, Ima
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke
Also, Cassius alley-oop #2 (the one-handed slam) was the SCTop10 #1 play.
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke
Cassius Stanley’s dunk was #1 on Sportscenter Top 10.