Even if they want to, I'd be surprised if a team of four freshmen would be able to control tempo against Kentucky's guards and play an effective zone defense in early November.
Duke vs Virginia Union
- Thread starter Hoskins21
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I think the only way he dies in the middle of a season is if someone leaves D-Con in the visitors locker room at an away game.
![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
Or sophomores, if K is teaching them. Puke never plays defense.
By better do you mean as a college player, or an NBA prospect? As prospects probably all 3 of Duke's freshmen will be better, as a college player, Travis is probably more solid.
Dukes three freshman will but up big numbers this year. It really comes down to if any of them play a lick of defense this year. But those three will be really impactful all year long.
Duke goes 8 deep. That’s more than enough and is the norm in Durham. So versatile, Duke is going to be very good. Definitely excited
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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You will get your feelings hurt November 6th.
I think they are in trouble anyway. You arent gonna beat many teams with 3 small forwards and zero inside game. They lose 10ngames easy
I just mean as a player just in that game, at that moment, Reid Travis will be the 2nd best player on the court. NBA certainly those three are better in the long term.
I'm not even sure I'd put Reddish above PJ for that game at that point in time. I think i'd put it at: 1. Barrett 2. Travis 3. Zion 4. Washington.
The most points a UK freshman has scored in the Cal era in their debut is 25 by Terrence Jones. The debuts have all been against scrub teams, and that's been the highest. Not to mention, he ALSO had the benefit of a foreign trip that year. Very few players straight up dominate their first meaningful game of their entire career. And Duke has to bank on three of them doing just that?
I'm not sure enough people are putting enough stock into the idea that even elite college players don't make a huge jump until after the first month or so.
The officials alone will eliminate 3-4 of those 10 losses.
Don't think I can agree with the " but Duke has the 3 best players" theme.
Duke might have 3 players that are slightly more talented than what UK has, but I guarantee you that UK's guys are going to play harder and out-tough those 3 freshmen.
I'll admit, Zion and Barret are flat out studs, but they better play hard for 40 on November 6th, if they don't, they'll get embarassed.
That Duke team isn’t beating this UK team first game of the season.
I’ve seen enough of both.
I’ve seen enough of both.
Zion is a lot like randle.. but better. He might be the only inside game they need but without him they suck down low
I will agree that Duke's freshmen are ranked higher, and may be a little more talented, but I will take a team that plays together and leaves it all on the floor, like this UK team does, over a little more talent, anyday. I also agree with you that Duke may be better late in the year, and when I say better, I mean improved, not better than UK, but at this point, UK is much further progressed. When you add UK's much deeper bench to the equation, I think UK wins by 9-12 pts.
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If Duke goes 8 deep, then K should put one of these guys in for Bolden, because he is miserable. If Bolden is starting, that is all I need to know about your bench.
Duke is going to be good, but it's going to take time.
Five brand new starters. Four are Freshmen. They will win a lot games early because they will just out talent other teams. They will struggle in January and early February against ACC competition, then start figuring it out. By March, they will be a tough out in the tourney.
As for the first game against UK, I think it will be a close game, but UK's depth will wear them down.
UK wins by 6-8.
Five brand new starters. Four are Freshmen. They will win a lot games early because they will just out talent other teams. They will struggle in January and early February against ACC competition, then start figuring it out. By March, they will be a tough out in the tourney.
As for the first game against UK, I think it will be a close game, but UK's depth will wear them down.
UK wins by 6-8.
I really like what Javin, white and O’Connell can bring off the bench. Bolden gotta give Brian Zoubek production which I think he can do
I expect Javin to start in the long term he’s coming off a stress reaction in his foot
Dude...he won't even be able to guard PJ Washington...much less any other big we have. He will have a few dunks and that's it. Hes not a post player...hes 6'6
Duke is going to be good. UK is going to be better in March. Now whether that translates into UK winning the first game of the year in November remains to be seen. I think it does.
Zion Williams, RJ barret, Cam Reddish, Tre Jones, Joe Blow, John Higgens, Teddy Valentine, and Doug Shows.
Emmert has Higgens, Shows, and Valentine, on speed dial this very minute.
If one of Dukes big three gets in foul trouble it is over. They cannot go more than 5 minutes or so without all three on the floor. Any one of the three will create a nightmare matchup for them. They better hope and pray the NCAA stays out of Durham and that those theee stay healthy.
As far as impact or helpful they go 7 deep. It’s not the usual 8 due to lack of shooting, defense and post scoring PLUS age. This isn’t the usual short rotation Duke has because they usually over compensate with at least two of the things I named
K will have the rotation down to 7 by tourney time.
Barrett, Reddish, Williamson, Jones, DeLaurier, O'Connell, and Bolden.
And if Bolden doesn't step up, then it might be White or Baker instead of him.
I think they can survive foul trouble unless it’s Jones. Goldwire is someone you don’t want to play major minutes unless it’s a blowout
Agreed.
When Jones is out of the game, it's probably Reddish and/or Barrett running the point.
That’s nothing more than your opinion. Barrett is probably the best overall player, but I think Keldon and maybe even Herro are just as good if not better than Reddish. PJ and Reid Travis will more than neutralize Zion. That’s not even counting Richards and Montgomery, and you have no one to check them. Lastly, we have a three-headed PG monster with Green, Quickley, and Hagans. Good luck with that!
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