Duke 72, Kentucky 77 Post Game Thread
- Thread starter scottdude8
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King of Defense
Member
It’s early. Of course. There’ve been a lot of seasons recently in which Duke dominates in November and December, winning games like this in a blowout, but then losing down the stretch. An early loss can be a good growing experience.
That said …
- We’ve been hearing about Duke being 10 deep. Last night, three subs came in and contributed six points and one assist. The upside: 13 rebounds, and we have to take into account that not everyone’s healthy.
- Even though Kentucky’s whole team is new to Kentucky, they have a ton of experience. And yes, I’m the one who insists that freshmen don’t win championships. Zion, Reddish and Barrett didn’t. Banchero came closest.
So we’ll have to hope this game experience helps the freshmen grow up fast.
I’ve never considered this team a contender for the national championship. They’re too young. But if they learn from games like this (and if the coaching staff reconsiders going all-Cooper at crunch time), they’ll have time to change my mind. Or prove me wrong.
That said …
- We’ve been hearing about Duke being 10 deep. Last night, three subs came in and contributed six points and one assist. The upside: 13 rebounds, and we have to take into account that not everyone’s healthy.
- Even though Kentucky’s whole team is new to Kentucky, they have a ton of experience. And yes, I’m the one who insists that freshmen don’t win championships. Zion, Reddish and Barrett didn’t. Banchero came closest.
So we’ll have to hope this game experience helps the freshmen grow up fast.
I’ve never considered this team a contender for the national championship. They’re too young. But if they learn from games like this (and if the coaching staff reconsiders going all-Cooper at crunch time), they’ll have time to change my mind. Or prove me wrong.
mozdukemod
Member
Another poor shooting team.
King of Defense
Member
Also bear in mind — Duke’s point differential vs. top-50 teams over the past 20 years if probably about minus-800 for the games I watch. So this is ultimately my fault for tuning in. When they hit the really big games, I’ll be sure to do something else and just catch the highlights later.
Daddylawman
Member
Came here to say this. The chat became unbearable.
Man, reading this thread, you would think that we are a 1 seed that just got knocked out by a 16 seed in the first round of the tournament. It's a frustrating loss, but I think a lot of things people are saying are projecting faults from other teams to this year's team
1) We lost because we shot poorly. Full stop. But this is not a team that will consistently struggle to shoot, like others
2) UK's game plan was to be incredibly physical with us. We did not wilt in the face of that. We just didn't play as well as we could have.
3) The turning point of the game was Sion's injury. Because it messed with our rotation and sapped any momentum we could build.
4) We needed more from our guards in the 2nd half.
5) For the most part, we played smart, aggressive ball. As opposed to some games over the last few seasons, there was no point where we looked passive. We made errors - especially when we fatigued late - but it wasn't so overall slopiness and lack of focus
6) Third straight came where we came out cold shooting. We need to hit some early threes. That would make everything else easier.
1) We lost because we shot poorly. Full stop. But this is not a team that will consistently struggle to shoot, like others
2) UK's game plan was to be incredibly physical with us. We did not wilt in the face of that. We just didn't play as well as we could have.
3) The turning point of the game was Sion's injury. Because it messed with our rotation and sapped any momentum we could build.
4) We needed more from our guards in the 2nd half.
5) For the most part, we played smart, aggressive ball. As opposed to some games over the last few seasons, there was no point where we looked passive. We made errors - especially when we fatigued late - but it wasn't so overall slopiness and lack of focus
6) Third straight came where we came out cold shooting. We need to hit some early threes. That would make everything else easier.
karmacoma
Member
This, right here, is the key IMO. Building teams around OADs is not the way in this new era.
JGDUKE2008
Member
Awful awful game where we ending up beating ourselves some thoughts on the game and going forward.
1. One of the worst shooting performances I can remember for a duke team, idk if we score less than 72 points the rest of the year.
2. Caleb Foster needs to step up. He's shooting 20% from three on the year and his shot looks off compared to last year where he shot 40% if he isn't hitting then you need to move Gillis into the starting rotation or someone else who can shoot.
3. Flagg shooting 23% from outside needs to get better he needs to be at least 32% for us to contend this year.
4. The last 10 minutes of the game was awful basketball offensively. I don't know who to blame here. But it was nothing but one on one basketball. Looked like Flagg was trying to do way to much and no one else was getting involved. How many shots did Kon attempt those last 10 minutes? Last play of game you run a one on one play for Flagg, why not run a ball screen with Flagg and Kon either dish or let Kon get a wide open 3.
5. Hopefully Sion isn't out long but with the foul trouble the bigs had and cramps Jon needs to figure out a way to get Ngbongo some time because at some point you will need him. Same with Harris and Evans. No reason why they can't come in and play 10-12 minutes to give the guys a break. If Kentucky can play 10 guys so can we.
1. One of the worst shooting performances I can remember for a duke team, idk if we score less than 72 points the rest of the year.
2. Caleb Foster needs to step up. He's shooting 20% from three on the year and his shot looks off compared to last year where he shot 40% if he isn't hitting then you need to move Gillis into the starting rotation or someone else who can shoot.
3. Flagg shooting 23% from outside needs to get better he needs to be at least 32% for us to contend this year.
4. The last 10 minutes of the game was awful basketball offensively. I don't know who to blame here. But it was nothing but one on one basketball. Looked like Flagg was trying to do way to much and no one else was getting involved. How many shots did Kon attempt those last 10 minutes? Last play of game you run a one on one play for Flagg, why not run a ball screen with Flagg and Kon either dish or let Kon get a wide open 3.
5. Hopefully Sion isn't out long but with the foul trouble the bigs had and cramps Jon needs to figure out a way to get Ngbongo some time because at some point you will need him. Same with Harris and Evans. No reason why they can't come in and play 10-12 minutes to give the guys a break. If Kentucky can play 10 guys so can we.
Indoor66
Well-known member
Maybe this will turn out to be like Arizona missed Free Throws in 1989
accfanfrom1970
Member
Free throw shooting, particularly Caleb’s, is concerning. Will bite us in the tournament if we can’t shoot 75% across the board.
I thought Maluach was really impactful in this game so missing him with periodic cramping was bigger than Sion injury. Our front line is really final four material and if our guards take charge more so Cooper doesn’t need to play hero ball then we will be fine. I looked back at all the great guards that won the last five final fours, UVA, Kansas, Baylor, U Conn twice and we clearly need them to be great. They have the size! They just need to play with more moxy.
Sion James certainly played like the moment wasn’t too big so let’s hope he is not out long. This will be opportunity for someone to join the rotation. Hope it is Evans.
Am I the only one who doesn’t want Flagg and Kon to take over 50% of our team’s shots (39 of 71 shots by team) as good as they are. I want more balance.
Sion James certainly played like the moment wasn’t too big so let’s hope he is not out long. This will be opportunity for someone to join the rotation. Hope it is Evans.
Am I the only one who doesn’t want Flagg and Kon to take over 50% of our team’s shots (39 of 71 shots by team) as good as they are. I want more balance.
goduke03861
Member
I've seen this become prevalent in the NBA and it's existed in other sports for quite some time, but I think Duke should look into getting Jon an offensive minded coach on staff. We brought a recruiter in from outside the family and I think with nearly 3 years of evidence, Jon is not an offensive savant and is a heavy defense focused coach with the rest of the staff being very similar in ideologies. I know it won't provide much for this season, but I think for Jon's career and the future of Duke basketball it's borderline a must at this point.
Edited to add: Case in point, dead ball situations, whether they be baseline OOBs or coming out of timeouts it's consistently poor, when in years past there was creativity and wasn't an adventure getting the ball in play or a play designed to get a bucket.
Edited to add: Case in point, dead ball situations, whether they be baseline OOBs or coming out of timeouts it's consistently poor, when in years past there was creativity and wasn't an adventure getting the ball in play or a play designed to get a bucket.
kshepinthehouse
Member
Only two timeouts at that point in the game. Maybe they felt a timeout was more valuable than a turnover would cost.
kshepinthehouse
Member
Get used to it. The kid is a stud and won’t be coming off the floor much this year. I thought he made some good moves his shot just didn’t fall. The threat of him alone is enough to keep defenses honest. We’ve gotta drive more and look for him in the corner.
We will improve; but as usual, our expectations were far too high. Additionally, Jon still believes in a short rotation regardless of better apparent depth.
I think we destroy the bad ACC teams most of the time, but will struggle against the powerful OOC coming up soon. Starting 3 freshman against a much older and talented KY didn’t work this time (no Zion) and I have my doubts about our chances against Zona, Kansas and Auburn. These teams will be ready.
I think we destroy the bad ACC teams most of the time, but will struggle against the powerful OOC coming up soon. Starting 3 freshman against a much older and talented KY didn’t work this time (no Zion) and I have my doubts about our chances against Zona, Kansas and Auburn. These teams will be ready.
Dr. Maturin
Member
Again, 3 point shooting was everything. I don't think we'll get out scored from 3 very often, and probably not by 18 points all year. We did plenty of good things:
- held a pretty good offense to 41% shooting from 2.
- Man Man looked the part. 10 points on perfect shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. This against a 5 out offense which was a tough match up for him. He is going to dominate some games for us this year.
- the last 2 possessions were rough, but Cooper showed he can be a big time scorer. I heard a lot of talk about how he would be a great player but not necessarily a huge scorer. He showed that he can score when we need him.
- through 37 minutes we had just 3 turnovers. That is simply amazing. Unfortunately we had 4 in the last 3 minutes which is all the more disappointing.
It's always really unsatisfying to play your worst down the stretch. But I think there's a lot to like.
- held a pretty good offense to 41% shooting from 2.
- Man Man looked the part. 10 points on perfect shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. This against a 5 out offense which was a tough match up for him. He is going to dominate some games for us this year.
- the last 2 possessions were rough, but Cooper showed he can be a big time scorer. I heard a lot of talk about how he would be a great player but not necessarily a huge scorer. He showed that he can score when we need him.
- through 37 minutes we had just 3 turnovers. That is simply amazing. Unfortunately we had 4 in the last 3 minutes which is all the more disappointing.
It's always really unsatisfying to play your worst down the stretch. But I think there's a lot to like.
kshepinthehouse
Member
Is this really necessary for 3 or more people to state? If you want to avoid the board then by all means, feel free to do so. Do you have to announce it?