Post by Tizu on Nov 26, 2012 7:39:37 GMT -5
I must say, early on I was not impressed with this Duke team. I have dramatically changed my tune. After watching them beat then #3 Kentucky, then going to the Bahamas and beating #2 Louisville...I'm a believer, baby!
We have the now #3 Ohio State coming into Cameron this week, which will be another tough test.
Mason Plumlee has been pretty impressive...especially from the Free Throw line! He's shooting 80%, yes 80% from the stripe....a DRAMATIC improvement over last year where he was just over 50%!!!
Seth Curry, well, he's the rock. He didn't shoot well against Louisville, but when they made a run, he was right there, clutch as usual when Duke needed a basket in a bad way. SWISH for 3!!!
Ryan Kelly, while he's certainly one of the goofiest looking players, he has a ton of heart and determination. His growth over the past 4 years has been a thing of beauty to watch. His game is very unique. His defense is much better (that huge block near the end of the Louisville game is what changed the momentum back in Duke's favor). His offensive game, while he looks awkward, gets the job done. On several occasions he penetrated, did a little spin away from the defender for a lay-in. Impressive.
Rasheed Sulaimon, I LOVE watching this true freshman play. He is flat out good! I thought he was just a jump shooter with not much game outside of that. I was waaay WRONG! This kid can score from just about anywhere on the court. He's a great 3 point shooter, he can take the defender to the basket, he's got the mid-range jumper and the hops to slam it. He hasn't shot a lot from the free throw line, which is unusual for a player of his capabilities. However when he has gotten there, I've been a little disappointed. He needs to work on that some to be a complete player.
Quinn Cook, MVP of the tournament and rightfully so! His play was simply outstanding. He is finally stepping into that point guard role and being the player I always knew he was. He has confidence, the players believe in him and he is a great player. He gets a little sloppy at times when he rushes things, that will get better with time as well. His poise most of the time is great. He has great vision, can draw the defense and kick out, or finish himself. He had 9 assist the other night vs. VCU. He's been scoring in double figures and is really giving the team a lift on both sides of the ball.
The biggest room for improvement for this team is the underclassmen and the bench have to step up. The 3 seniors for the most part have carried the load. While Sheed and Cook have both done great jobs so far, we need more from the bench. Tyler Thornton gives them that instant defensive boost. Amile Jefferson is coming along. I don't know where Alex Murphy has been, but he needs to come out and be the player everyone knows he is - the Kyle Singler type player. Josh Hairston gives quality minutes, he's just a foul machine, but he does take the energy level up a few notches when he's in. He can hold his own pretty well. He's not a huge offensive threat, but he's had some nice offensive put-backs in the few games thus far.
I know it's still way early in the season, but I believe this team (barring injuries) has what it takes to make it to the Final Four. They have a good combination of young and veteran players. If Marshall can get healthy and give Mason some rest, there's a real good chance for a great, great season of basketball.
GO DUKE!!![/size]
We have the now #3 Ohio State coming into Cameron this week, which will be another tough test.
Mason Plumlee has been pretty impressive...especially from the Free Throw line! He's shooting 80%, yes 80% from the stripe....a DRAMATIC improvement over last year where he was just over 50%!!!
Seth Curry, well, he's the rock. He didn't shoot well against Louisville, but when they made a run, he was right there, clutch as usual when Duke needed a basket in a bad way. SWISH for 3!!!
Ryan Kelly, while he's certainly one of the goofiest looking players, he has a ton of heart and determination. His growth over the past 4 years has been a thing of beauty to watch. His game is very unique. His defense is much better (that huge block near the end of the Louisville game is what changed the momentum back in Duke's favor). His offensive game, while he looks awkward, gets the job done. On several occasions he penetrated, did a little spin away from the defender for a lay-in. Impressive.
Rasheed Sulaimon, I LOVE watching this true freshman play. He is flat out good! I thought he was just a jump shooter with not much game outside of that. I was waaay WRONG! This kid can score from just about anywhere on the court. He's a great 3 point shooter, he can take the defender to the basket, he's got the mid-range jumper and the hops to slam it. He hasn't shot a lot from the free throw line, which is unusual for a player of his capabilities. However when he has gotten there, I've been a little disappointed. He needs to work on that some to be a complete player.
Quinn Cook, MVP of the tournament and rightfully so! His play was simply outstanding. He is finally stepping into that point guard role and being the player I always knew he was. He has confidence, the players believe in him and he is a great player. He gets a little sloppy at times when he rushes things, that will get better with time as well. His poise most of the time is great. He has great vision, can draw the defense and kick out, or finish himself. He had 9 assist the other night vs. VCU. He's been scoring in double figures and is really giving the team a lift on both sides of the ball.
The biggest room for improvement for this team is the underclassmen and the bench have to step up. The 3 seniors for the most part have carried the load. While Sheed and Cook have both done great jobs so far, we need more from the bench. Tyler Thornton gives them that instant defensive boost. Amile Jefferson is coming along. I don't know where Alex Murphy has been, but he needs to come out and be the player everyone knows he is - the Kyle Singler type player. Josh Hairston gives quality minutes, he's just a foul machine, but he does take the energy level up a few notches when he's in. He can hold his own pretty well. He's not a huge offensive threat, but he's had some nice offensive put-backs in the few games thus far.
I know it's still way early in the season, but I believe this team (barring injuries) has what it takes to make it to the Final Four. They have a good combination of young and veteran players. If Marshall can get healthy and give Mason some rest, there's a real good chance for a great, great season of basketball.
GO DUKE!!![/size]
