Duke and the 2016-2017 season.

[CUT-NETS]

How many threads can CUT-NUTS derail with his Calipari/Coach K crap? It's a broken record. If he can hi-jack a thread with this topic, he will do it everytime. The guy can't shut up about it.

Are you crying?

Its within the realm of the topic. This is a thread about Duke on a UK message board. Coach K is the coach of Duke so its seems pretty damn reasonable to make comparisons of Duke and UK/Coach K and Coach Cal. If you can't take the heat get the hell out of the kitchen and go cry somewhere else. You have not contributed anything to the discussion. This board is very similar to Around the Horn. If you bring something of relevance to the conversation you are good to go. I am debating and its on topic. You, however, are crying and pouting.

 

[Aike]

So you would rather have less "flameouts" in the tournament even if it means less national titles?

Duke had 1 Title between 2002 and 2014. One Title and one other Final Four in those 13 seasons.

Being a UK fan has been much more enjoyable during that stretch, especially since Cal arrived.

By your logic, that one title last year changed everything.

By your logic, hindsight being 20/20, I should have preferred K as a coach all of those years, because he would EVENTUALLY win the magical 2 in 6 years.

No, I think I'll go right on enjoying these 4 Final Fours the past 5 seasons. That's 3 more than Duke, by the way.

 

[CUT-NETS]

I've been called a Duke fan over less than this thread Saul.

In all seriousness this is exactly why I was terrified of Duke winning a title this year. They are set up on easy street to take the team of the decade of the teens now, and it doesnt help the perception with the media already crowning them "team of the modern era" either. You don't have to like this, or believe it. It's happening.

If Duke wins a championship in the next three years which is very possible, they will be damn near crowned Mr. Everything for years and years. I'm sorry, but I dread that.

I'm not going to get into a discussion about Cal vs. K. I don't think thats the extended nature of the thread and it's reading like a red herring thrown about by some who don't wish to look at this topic directly. K has 5 championships. It's a stupid topic to be had.

K's system is better equipped at this time imo. He is recruiting an influx of OAD talent and upperclassman scorers, which together can be a deadly combination in the current college game. Kentucky should absolutely keep an eye on that situation as they seem to be passing UNC right now. If I were a UNC fan, I'd be more depressed about that than the scandal. Duke is eating them up.

Excellent post. Summed up many of my thoughts. To put it bluntly, Duke scares the hell out of me. They are in the driver's seat and where I am different is that I don't have the confidence that Cal can derail that right now. Not unless another Anthony Davis walks through the door.

 

[Mike-D]

Another one who can't admit it. Doesn't mean you aren't a UK fan buddy.

Admit what exactly? Do you want all of us to tell you that Coach K is better than Cal? Then you won't have anything else to talk about. The travesty.

 

[CUT-NETS]

Duke had 1 Title between 2002 and 2014. One Title and one other Final Four in those 13 seasons.

Being a UK fan has been much more enjoyable during that stretch, especially since Cal arrived.

By your logic, that one title last year changed everything.

By your logic, hindsight being 20/20, I should have preferred K as a coach all of those years, because he would EVENTUALLY win the magical 2 in 6 years.

No, I think I'll go right on enjoying these 4 Final Fours the past 5 seasons. That's 3 more than Duke, by the way.

You're right man. Nevermind, Cal is better than K and its not even close. Final Fours are better than national titles.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Coach K has 12 years of experience on Cal. He should be better.

Coach K has been at the same elite school for 35+ years. He should be more established.

Coach K is at the end of his career, Cal still has several more seasons left to coach.

If I could trade Coach Cal for Coach K, I wouldn't unless UK gets his five titles. For the future, I'll take Cal. He likely has more years ahead of him than K.

 

[.S&C.]

Coach K has 12 years of experience on Cal. He should be better.

Coach K has been at the same elite school for 35+ years. He should be more established.

Coach K is at the end of his career, Cal still has several more seasons left to coach.

If I could trade Coach Cal for Coach K, I wouldn't unless UK gets his five titles. For the future, I'll take Cal. He likely has more years ahead of him than K.

I completely agree.

 

[Cawood86]

Am I on the wrong board? Who cares what they will or won't have? All those K danglers who were so happy he won one this year make me sick. Don't understand why someone would post a thread like this on here. Certainly makes me wonder.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

I can't speak for everyone else, but I am looking at what he is doing right now. Coach K has adapted and accepted the one and done era. Before he was coming close without the one and dones, now he gets just as many as Cal and he's producing titles with it. Thats why there is paranoia because the best coach in college basketball has also just perfected getting top one and done players. Cal was never the best coach he was just the best recruiter.

They have the same number of titles since K started going after the OADs like Cal, but nice try. Difference is they have flamed out in early rounds with them (Irving, Rivers, Parker), while Cal hasn't. You're so transparent, and not fooling anyone.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I can't speak for everyone else, but I am looking at what he is doing right now. Coach K has adapted and accepted the one and done era. Before he was coming close without the one and dones, now he gets just as many as Cal and he's producing titles with it. Thats why there is paranoia because the best coach in college basketball has also just perfected getting top one and done players. Cal was never the best coach he was just the best recruiter.

We shall see how well he has adapted.

This coming year is his 2013.

The proof will be how well he has done replacing his key players after a title.

He scrambled a little with finding a PG to replace Jones. Thornton had to reclassify to get him a floor general.

There's no Okafor, no Winslow, and no Cook. None of the guys coming in are that type of player.

How do we know he's cracked the code?

 

[CUT-NETS]

They have the same number of titles since K started going after the OADs like Cal, but nice try. Difference is they have flamed out in early rounds with them (Irving, Rivers, Parker), while Cal hasn't. You're so transparent, and not fooling anyone.

no message

 

[mj2k10]

no message

Best, truest post you've ever made.

 

[Aike]

You're right man. Nevermind, Cal is better than K and its not even close. Final Fours are better than national titles.

Since you can't win the argument, go ahead and make stuff up. Good job.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Excellent post. Summed up many of my thoughts. To put it bluntly, Duke scares the hell out of me. They are in the driver's seat and where I am different is that I don't have the confidence that Cal can derail that right now. Not unless another Anthony Davis walks through the door.

I HATE DUKE AND OTIS, but I think you are correct and I HATE that!!!

 

[RamHard]

Another one who can't admit it. Doesn't mean you aren't a UK fan buddy.

Duke is Carolina biggest rival, most Carolina fans will say K is the best coach in basketball. Got to give him credit, like to see the Heels get Brad Stevens.

 

[RamHard]

Who ever gets Giles will be a final 4 team, he is a freak best big man since Kevin Garnett. Everyone says Duke got him, still think the heels have a shot.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Duke is Carolina biggest rival, most Carolina fans will say K is the best coach in basketball. Got to give him credit, like to see the Heels get Brad Stevens.

From 2005 through 2009, UNC fans would not have traded Williams for anyone. Fans on this UK board were talking about how great UNC had it and how Williams got everybody he wanted.

See how quickly things change in college ball.

K is the best in the business, no denying, but how much longer can he stay on top? Does he hit another 2002 to 2009 lull before retiring or does he win another title or two and retire on top. It remains to be seen.

All I can say about Cal is that he has a long time before his swan song, so I'll take him for the rest of his career over K and the rest of his career.

Might change my mind after they both retire, though. We will see.

 

[RamHard]

Cal is a good coach better then Roy, but not on K level he is the best.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Cal is a good coach better then Roy, but not on K level he is the best.

I don't think it is debateable if you talk about their entire careers. I am talking about moving forward. K has 5-6 seasons left for his entire career while Cal could go 15-16 more years if he wanted, most likely.

It's a moot point, though, because unless you are a Duke fan you have to be content with having a lesser coach.

I do not envy Duke fans when K retires, though. No one can replace him.

 

[doneitall]

We shall see how well he has adapted.

This coming year is his 2013.

The proof will be how well he has done replacing his key players after a title.

He scrambled a little with finding a PG to replace Jones. Thornton had to reclassify to get him a floor general.

There's no Okafor, no Winslow, and no Cook. None of the guys coming in are that type of player.

How do we know he's cracked the code?

There's no question about it ratface will be a threat to win another title with the pl;ayers he recruited. Don't like ratface at all but he can coach basketball.

 

[2Dope15]

When considering what Duke will likely put on the court in 2016-2017, one could quickly assume Coach K might actually feature one of this four most talented teams ever (along with the 1992, 1999, and 2001 teams).


They could very well have a returning core of Thornton, Allen, Kennard, Jeter, and Obi. Add Giles and Tatum to that core and it's hard to find a weakness with that roster. They'd have interior scoring, perimeter shooting, an elite point guard, and an elite wing player who can a bit of everything on a high level.

I write all of this (my first Duke thread in about a year, mind you, so please understand this is merely for the sake of discussion) because I think it's critical that Duke doesn't win a title this year (2015-2016). We should, as UK fans, be pulling for anyone, regardless of the opponent, next April. The reason for that is because I think they're in the driving seat in 2016-2017, and will be the odds-on favorite to give Coach K his 6th national title. That is not to say they will win it all - there are simply too many variables to make such a claim - but they will certainly have the talent to make it happen.

Thoughts?

Who gives a CRAP about Duke!!! Really??

 

[TUL]

They are due for a setback of some kind. Eligibility, injury, etc. They have had zero issues since Irving injury, and in hindsight, it was really K who messed up their title hopes by putting him back into the lineup and killing the chemistry they had going.

I know rivals don't really keep up on each other's injuries much, but Duke has had a few massive ones since Irving. Ryan Kelly broke his foot and completely upended the season; he had been Dukes best defender and a crazy versatile threat, and despite an amazing comeback game at the end of the season clearly wasnt himself when the adrenaline wore off. Seth Curry literally didn't practice for an entire season. So while we may not have had something on the level of Irving since then (which was only what, three seasons ago?) we've had some pretty big injuries since then.

As for this upcoming year... Nobody can really tell until we see the freshmen play. Jeter wasn't impressive in the all star games (might not mean much) and we don't know how Luke will perform. Even Ingram was a late bloomer, and while Allen's last game really turned some heads, who knows what he will do over a full season. I don't think Duke is a serious threat next year, overblown preseason rankings notwithstanding. The next season I expect both Giles and Tatum to be on campus, and that year could be special.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Thanks for pumping Duke, OP

 

[Ryan Lemonds Diary]

As long as the selection committee allows Duke to not play a decent team until the final game then yes they will be a threat....well unless they play Lehigh or Mercer.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I know rivals don't really keep up on each other's injuries much, but Duke has had a few massive ones since Irving. Ryan Kelly broke his foot and completely upended the season; he had been Dukes best defender and a crazy versatile threat, and despite an amazing comeback game at the end of the season clearly wasnt himself when the adrenaline wore off. Seth Curry literally didn't practice for an entire season. So while we may not have had something on the level of Irving since then (which was only what, three seasons ago?) we've had some pretty big injuries since then.

As for this upcoming year... Nobody can really tell until we see the freshmen play. Jeter wasn't impressive in the all star games (might not mean much) and we don't know how Luke will perform. Even Ingram was a late bloomer, and while Allen's last game really turned some heads, who knows what he will do over a full season. I don't think Duke is a serious threat next year, overblown preseason rankings notwithstanding. The next season I expect both Giles and Tatum to be on campus, and that year could be special.

Kennard is going to be VERY good...Just wished he would have followed his childhood dreams to play for KENTUCKY...

 

[bigblueinsanity]

May as well get used to Duke being the preferred team for elite recruits. Especially if they played for team USA.

I hate it, but he'll continue to reel in nearly unprecedented classes until something is done about his contact with these kids as USA coach.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Yes because nothing ever changes and teams don't go through dry spells AT ALL. Geez, you guys are wallowing in pessimism aren't you?

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Yes because nothing ever changes and teams don't go through dry spells AT ALL. Geez, you guys are wallowing in pessimism aren't you?

There are ebbs and flows in the natural cycle of recruiting. But this isnt the natural cycle of recruiting. We'll still get ours, but K will have a leg up on anyone with any kid who plays for USA.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan]

May as well get used to Duke being the preferred team for elite recruits. Especially if they played for team USA.

I hate it, but he'll continue to reel in nearly unprecedented classes until something is done about his contact with these kids as USA coach.

I said the same thing awhile back and got hammered for saying. Got told to quit whining. I agree with you. For God's sake, he got damn Plumlee on the Olympic team. That's crazy. He deserved to be an Olympian about as much as I deserve to be president. .

 

[carbonlib23]

You are a broken record. Coach K is great, but he has failed to get it done on numerous occasions.

He has had 2 special runs in the past 6 seasons. Prior to that, he had gone 9 years without a Title. 6 years without a Final Four.

He has blown it way more often than he's pulled it off. But you actually know all this, right?

ummm....EVERYONE has blown it more than pulled it off.........but, how many have actually pulled off 5?

 

[carbonlib23]

They have the same number of titles since K started going after the OADs like Cal, but nice try. Difference is they have flamed out in early rounds with them (Irving, Rivers, Parker), while Cal hasn't. You're so transparent, and not fooling anyone.

has duke been to the NIT lately?

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Make no mistake about it, come November, UK will rip Duke and Coach K another one.

 

[mj2k10]

has duke been to the NIT lately?

Has UK lost 1st round NCAA Tournament games to Lehigh and Mercer lately? Or an Elite 8 game by 22, and a Sweet 16 game (as the favorite) by 16?

 

[Aike]

ummm....EVERYONE has blown it more than pulled it off.........but, how many have actually pulled off 5?

K is an all-time great. Who is disputing that? There is just no reason to FEAR a guy who wins one title every seven years or whatever.

 

[knockoutgame]

they just landed frank jackson. projecting the duke roster, they won't have a single scholarship player who isn't a 5 star except the transfer big. with k's track record with transfers i fully expect even him to be a solid player. k has certainly been this stacked with top end talent before (this past season being the most recent), but i don't remember this much of it all the way down to the tip of the bench for a coach K team. maybe 1999? if they land giles they will clearly be the favorites by a wide margin. as it stands, today, they will still almost certainly be a pre-season top 2-3 team.

 

[hoodro]

Oh forgotten thread, lost to the ages, arise and return to the frontmost pages!

 

[Fitch44]

Knowing that 2 titles is more than 1 makes me a miserable human being? I think the difference between myself and many on this board (like you) is that I can admit that Coach K is the best coach in basketball and yes, he is better than Cal. Cal is probably second. Coach K is in his 60's and is still adapting.

The game has gone to one and done? Ok he says, I can do that, bam, two titles in 6 years. My man to man defense isn't working against this team? Ok, bam Ill go zone and drill UL because they can't shoot. Thats what great coaches do. They don't stay in man when getting blasted by a quicker Uconn team in the national title game because they are stubborn. They don't keep in a 6'5 point guard who is losing confidence by the second after 3 straight shot-clock violations in the final four game when they have a point guard in Ulis who can't be stopped.

Face it man, Cal is stubborn as hell and has cost himself at least two national titles because of it and almost three of them. 3 straight shot clock violations? You don't call a timeout? Bo Ryan coached circles around Cal. How can that happen? 38-0 and a perfect season riding on it and your players aren't leaving it all on the floor? Willie Cauley-Stein just disappears?

Sorry, but Coach K has this thing figured out in terms of recruiting, and he has the coaching acumen to get it done when it counts. Duke is a train that is barreling down the tracks and I don't envision anything stopping it.

Jesus Christ, are you implying he won in 2010 with one and dones?!
Worst team to win the title in 20 years and I credit that to the teams in the final four.

 

[CUT-NETS]

Jesus Christ, are you implying he won in 2010 with one and dones?!
Worst team to win the title in 20 years and I credit that to the teams in the final four.

Makes absolutely no difference. They won it. They don't hang banners that say "x-year national champions, considered the worst team to win a title"

 

[hoodro]

 

[Willy4UK]

If I was a recruit, it would be tough to not look at Duke first.

NCAA giving cakewalks to the finals.
Espn kisses your hind end.
Refs are in your pocket.

Tough to beat that set up.