ADVERTISEMENT

Georgetown-Duke on now

Defense is going to be the issue for Duke all season. Ingram and Kennard have been turn stills on the perimeter so far and they don't have a rim protector. Plumlee and Jefferson are good individual defenders but not very great help defenders or shot blockers so when the perimeter defense breaks down and it will they can't clean up the mess.

This is where Justise Winslow is very missed for Duke. He had the athleticism and quickness to stay with guys on the perimeter, strength and toughness to bang against bigger players down low (which is why he started at the four down the stretch last season) and even had great timing for coming up with blocked shots. Plumlee can block some shots, but he's more of an energy guy in spurts rather than a guy who will do it for 30 plus minutes a game.

And yes, don't take your talent for granted. Not directing that message to you, but more to some fans who may be spoiled by it. Admittedly it's becoming a problem with Duke fans as well, including me to an extent after Winslow, Okafor and Jones last season. But back to Kentucky, their talent is amazing and a testament to what a bang up job Calipari has done recruiting.
 
Duke is going to be hurt by the new rules moreso than any other team save maybe Louisville. Duke historically is not as athletic as other teams and has made up for it by constantly having their hands on ball handlers. I think K will have to rethink/rework how he teaches defense as supposedly the hacking/slapping/fouling stuff is being addressed by the new rules.
 
Did not watch the game but, it seems by the score that defense is probably Duke's problem right now.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT