At the start of the season, Duke had a new 1st year coach, injuries to their 5* freshmen, a slew of transfers and one returning letterman of any significance. Now Flip has a great start and becomes a definite player without question. But they go through some tough times with losses to Purdue and Kansas. They beat Ohio State in the Big 10 challenge, but OSU proves to not be a tourney team. Roach plays well assuming the captain's role, but he injures his foot. Duke squeaks by BC on the road but lose to Wake. They get shellacked at NC State and Miami, seemingly not able to hold on to the ball. But they do beat Miami at home and UNC as well (who turns out not to be a tourney team). With those wins plus the Xavier win, I felt they were never in real danger of not getting an at-large bid, but could Duke do anything more? It was a big question. The talent was there, but could they pull it together?
Then things started turning around. They play UVA tough, but the refs' screw up robs them of a real opportunity to win. They take that as fire in their bellies and go on a win streak. They beat the teams they should beat and get momentum. They players find their roles and learn to play together. They stop turning the ball over so much, almost overnight! Lively becomes a defensive force, Proctor learns to run the offense and Whitehead becomes a 3pt threat. Mitchell is the glue guy and the bench is settled with Young and Grandison knowing what they must do. They beat a good NC State team to close out the season at home undefeated. They close out the regular season with the 2nd win over UNC, ruining their senior night and pushing them off the bubble for the tournament (and starting the soap opera-ish drama on IC). Then they have a fabulous ACC tournament, beating Pitt in convincing fashion, then beat Miami and Virginia to capture yet another ACC Championship! They go into the NCAAs on a roll.
They dominate Oral Roberts to get a NCAA win. But they run into a tough Tennessee team. The team plays hard, but its youth shows. It's clear who was the better team on the floor today. The ride ends in a very physical game.
But let’s review:
- New head coach, no previous coaching experience. Who follows the GOAT of NCAA MBB coaches
- A team made up of one returning letterman, with a bunch of transfers and freshmen.
- A lot of injuries to start the season to said key freshmen
What could an objective observer really expect then? A natty? A Wooden POY? I think not. After the end of last year, I think at least some of us wondered if UNCHeat would continue its roll.
But we end up with:
- Undefeated at home
- Double bye in the ACCs, 3rd seed
- Flip is ROY, and 2nd team All-ACC
- Lively is All-ACC Defensive Team
- 3 freshmen on the rookie team
- ACC Championship, 22nd overall, leading the ACC (4 more than Carolina)
- Two win sweep over UNC (who doesn’t even make the tourney, which I absolutely relish)
- First round demolition of Oral Roberts
- 10-game winning streak in February and March
- 27-9 record
If someone had asked me if I would take this at the start of the season, I would have thrown my money down right away. I would have loved to make the S16 and beyond, but honestly the two wins over the Cheats and the ACC Tournament championship make up for it, at least to me. Several Duke teams under K didn't make the S16, and they didn't get the other notches on their belt, either. Watching them go on their turnaround and winning streak was so satisfying. And no matter which players stay at Duke, I feel very good about Scheyer as coach. We all know the 2nd season may experience a sophomore slump, but somehow I doubt that will happen. Duke has a great class coming in. I hope a few of the current team stays to create an even better 2023-2024.
Yes, it absolutely sucks to lose. It always does. It will take some time to get over it. But I know all in all, this was a successful season. Thank you, Devils. I wait with eager anticipation for next year!
9F