Who Stays and Who Goes?

[gumbomoop]

I tend to think of this thread topic in terms of, as it relates to, the late-Feb thread on Scheyer’s presumed new recruiting focus, i.e., moving away from 1-done emphasis.

In that regard, I don’t expect, and will be disappointed, to see Scheyer bringing in any perimeter (PG and wings) player from the portal who’d likely play even 15 mpg. Even assuming none of Roach, Proctor, or Whitehead returns, and assuming neither Blakes nor Schutt leaves, we have 5 perimeter players who should be ready to take the vast majority of those 120 mpg: 3 guys who can play PG or wing/2 (Foster, McCain, Blakes), a likely sweet-shooting wing/2 (Schutt), and a major-minutes starting wing/3 (Mbako).

Would those 5 be “better” than this season’s “perimeter core 4” of Roach, Proctor, Mitchell, and Whitehead? Not at first glance. But that “perimeter core 4” took most of this entire season to jell, because of Whitehead’s injuries, Mitchell’s 3-4 tweener status, Roach’s injury interruption, and Proctor’s gradual emergence as a very dependable PG.

What if — as I hope — we have a “perimeter core 5” of starters Foster, McCain, and Mbako, and improved backups in Blakes and Schutt? Shouldn’t we expect Mbako to have, overall, a much more productive season than Whitehead’s injury-plagued year? Shouldn't we expect improvement from both Blakes and Schutt?

Absent the return of Filipowski, true, we’d have an inexperienced but — imo — very promising starting 5 in Reeves, backed up by Young. What we lose in Lively’s great, great impact on D, we gain — imo — in Reeves’s better potential on O. I think Reeves may actually have better footwork on O than does Lively. Young might have to play 20 mpg.

Absent the return of Mitchell, true, we’ll have to depend on 2 frosh at the 4, Stewart and Power.

So ... if none of this season’s core 6 returns, Duke would have a talented but inexperienced group of 9. A “transition” year, 2023-24, after which, in 2024-25, we might expect many returnees, joined by 2-3 class of ‘24 frosh.

As I don’t expect, say, as many as 3 of this season’s core 6 to return, I’ll hope for any 1 of that core to return, to give us 10 good players next season. Should 2 of this season’s core 6 (surprisingly) return, I’d predict a pre-season consensus top 5 team, but also, unfortunately, one departure through the portal.

The ideal for 2023-24 would see 2 returnees, a very good ACC season and NCAAT run, and a roster transition year.

[jipops]

I agree. I also have doubts that Reeves can go from non rotation to starter.

Agree, I don’t see this as well. And it would really be asking a lot and banking on a huge leap in the offseason. I think a more reasonable expectation is for Reeves to be a part of the regular rotation. But we’re going to have to hope that Stewart is good enough to play starters minutes at center.

[jaywilliams22]

It's not really odd at all. Game-time decisions about player injuries are made all the time in pretty much every sport. And this injury happened less than 24 hours ago. He might have seemed fine and then aggravated the injury right before the game leading to the late decision on his availability.

There are a lot of plausible, routine explanations for why MM didn't play. Yours isn't among them.

Do you have confirmation of this? I’m confused why you’re so confident. No doubt Mark Mitchell is a warrior. I’m in no way saying he isn’t. I’m saying there’s a chance they played it safe with him on a short timeline. And that it’s very abnormal for a head coach in an ncaa tournament game to find out 5 minutes before the game starts that a starter isn’t playing. Sorry buddy, that’s odd. Listen to Dariq in post game interviews, he said he wasn’t prepared to start. Dariq starting turned him into more of a creator than catch/shoot where he’s been most effective. There’s a ripple effect, not to mention the general toughness and depth Mark provides. Who knows why we found out so late. But it’s most certainly “odd.”

Mark is a player with pro aspirations. Playing it safe is a possibility, especially with a knee injury on a short timeline.

[kshepinthehouse]

I tend to think of this thread topic in terms of, as it relates to, the late-Feb thread on Scheyer’s presumed new recruiting focus, i.e., moving away from 1-done emphasis.

In that regard, I don’t expect, and will be disappointed, to see Scheyer bringing in any perimeter (PG and wings) player from the portal who’d likely play even 15 mpg. Even assuming none of Roach, Proctor, or Whitehead returns, and assuming neither Blakes nor Schutt leaves, we have 5 perimeter players who should be ready to take the vast majority of those 120 mpg: 3 guys who can play PG or wing/2 (Foster, McCain, Blakes), a likely sweet-shooting wing/2 (Schutt), and a major-minutes starting wing/3 (Mbako).

Would those 5 be “better” than this season’s “perimeter core 4” of Roach, Proctor, Mitchell, and Whitehead? Not at first glance. But that “perimeter core 4” took most of this entire season to jell, because of Whitehead’s injuries, Mitchell’s 3-4 tweener status, Roach’s injury interruption, and Proctor’s gradual emergence as a very dependable PG.

What if — as I hope — we have a “perimeter core 5” of starters Foster, McCain, and Mbako, and improved backups in Blakes and Schutt? Shouldn’t we expect Mbako to have, overall, a much more productive season than Whitehead’s injury-plagued year? Shouldn't we expect improvement from both Blakes and Schutt?

Absent the return of Filipowski, true, we’d have an inexperienced but — imo — very promising starting 5 in Reeves, backed up by Young. What we lose in Lively’s great, great impact on D, we gain — imo — in Reeves’s better potential on O. I think Reeves may actually have better footwork on O than does Lively. Young might have to play 20 mpg.

Absent the return of Mitchell, true, we’ll have to depend on 2 frosh at the 4, Stewart and Power.

So ... if none of this season’s core 6 returns, Duke would have a talented but inexperienced group of 9. A “transition” year, 2023-24, after which, in 2024-25, we might expect many returnees, joined by 2-3 class of ‘24 frosh.

As I don’t expect, say, as many as 3 of this season’s core 6 to return, I’ll hope for any 1 of that core to return, to give us 10 good players next season. Should 2 of this season’s core 6 (surprisingly) return, I’d predict a pre-season consensus top 5 team, but also, unfortunately, one departure through the portal.

The ideal for 2023-24 would see 2 returnees, a very good ACC season and NCAAT run, and a roster transition year.

If Reeves had such amazing footwork I think we would have played him more this year.

And I thought Mbako was more of a 4

[BigZ]

Oh god I go on Twitter and fools want Bronny James. Pass please

[Steven43]

Oh god I go on Twitter and fools want Bronny James. Pass please

You don’t like James’ game? Why the strong negative perception of him potentially coming to Duke?

[Acymetric]

You don’t like James’ game? Why the strong negative perception of him potentially coming to Duke?

Some people might not be excited for the sideshow that would come with having LeBron James' kid at your school. Obviously for others it would be a highlight of their Duke fandom. Simply a matter of taste, I think.

[doctorhook]

Do you have confirmation of this? I’m confused why you’re so confident. No doubt Mark Mitchell is a warrior. I’m in no way saying he isn’t. I’m saying there’s a chance they played it safe with him on a short timeline. And that it’s very abnormal for a head coach in an ncaa tournament game to find out 5 minutes before the game starts that a starter isn’t playing. Sorry buddy, that’s odd. Listen to Dariq in post game interviews, he said he wasn’t prepared to start. Dariq starting turned him into more of a creator than catch/shoot where he’s been most effective. There’s a ripple effect, not to mention the general toughness and depth Mark provides. Who knows why we found out so late. But it’s most certainly “odd.”

Mark is a player with pro aspirations. Playing it safe is a possibility, especially with a knee injury on a short timeline.

Cam Reddish maybe?

[doctorhook]

Gary Trent is the only one in done in recent years who has succeed that people had doubts about

There were a lot of doubters about Cam Reddish and he has been pretty good.

[gumbomoop]

If Reeves had such amazing footwork I think we would have played him more this year.

And I thought Mbako was more of a 4

I didn’t say that Reeves has “amazing” footwork. But I think his O-footwork is smoother than Lively’s. Lively had no handle, sometimes looked awkward with the ball, poor balance, had essentially but a single scoring skill, dunking. I’m aware there’s a significant difference of opinion about Reeves, especially for next season.

Others may want to chime in on Mgbako (which I misspelled in my post, sorry). My impression is that he’s a 3-4, has a good handle and nice outside shot.

[dukelifer]

History is against anyone returning from the freshman class. Every player in this class is better than all the kids who left the program after one year only to either go in the 2nd round or not get drafted at all in the last seven years. Gary Trent Jr the lone exception. If Keels, Jackson, Stanley, Trent Jr, to name a few, can get 2nd round money than so will every freshman on this year's roster.

We get to watch another team next year that will be heavily reliant on freshman (again) and will eventually lose to an older, more mature program in March. This years team was fortunate that both Miami and Virginia lost their best big men during the ACC tournament. Would we have won anyway. We will never know. But older teams win in March. And we get younger every year.

Jon will need to go to the portal to get some experience on next years team if he plans to make a run. Or a miracle that a few freshmen become sophomores.

Injuries happen- not sure why you are dismissing the accomplishments of this team. Even if Scheyer goes to the portal- it will still be a young team. It will take several years before this shifts toward a more experienced team and even then UNC had a very experienced team and they certainly did not win in March.

[BigZ]

There were a lot of doubters about Cam Reddish and he has been pretty good.

I was referring more to the guys who peole thoguht would drop in the draft and might not be in the league.

[Kfanarmy]

Oh god I go on Twitter and fools want Bronny James. Pass please

No. Don't go there Duke. His father would be a nightmare to deal with both as a distraction and interference.

[BigZ]

No. Don't go there Duke. His father would be a nightmare to deal with both as a distraction and interference.

I think if K was still here it might work but not with a second year coach

[-jk]

No. Don't go there Duke. His father would be a nightmare to deal with both as a distraction and interference.

Jon would put K on the Bronny Dad detail.

-jk

[SavDukeGrad]

I think Bronny has already cut his list to West Coast schools plus Ohio St.

[BigZ]

I think Bronny has already cut his list to West Coast schools plus Ohio St.

USC is the favorite

[BigZ]

McClain also dominated Bronny last week

[jipops]

Jon would put K on the Bronny Dad detail.

-jk

Who is Bronny’s Dad?

[BigZ]

Who is Bronny’s Dad?

Draymond Greene