How bad do we beat Duke in Nov and who guards Flagg?
- Thread starter HerrosHeroes
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Yeah, I expect he will be Zion level good. I cann't think a big will guard him on perimeter. He for sure would eat them alive. That is why I think when in man you have to looks at a physical wing on him. Someone who is fast and strong. Even if they give up some height, they could be disruptiv out top. I just don't know if any of our bigs are quick enough to deal with him on perimeter.
Not a chance, he’s gonna be the number one pick fairly easy IMO. He’s gonna have to have a ridiculously bad year to stop that and his performance with the team USA select team shows he can already play with the best players.
Williams is good, but Flagg is a unique talent, we don’t want Williams chasing him on the perimeter he will get burnt.
How do Flagg’s nuts taste? Serious question.
Flagg is the real deal. He is a matchup nightmare.
I expect that Pope will try lots of different strategies throughout the game trying to contain him.
I expect that Pope will try lots of different strategies throughout the game trying to contain him.
I don’t know but you can ask the dudes he plays against, I’m sure they can help you out.
Doesn't sound like we have anyone who can handle him, but that will be a problem for most teams.
I'd almost say focus on stopping the other guys as one guy isn't going to beat you most of the time.
I'd almost say focus on stopping the other guys as one guy isn't going to beat you most of the time.
Flagg is really really good. At Duke almost every team they play will get touch fouls called on them when Flagg attacks the basket which is why you have to make him take jump shots. You want to win the game, you dare Duke to take 3's and long 2's. If they make them and you cant hit your shots then its GG, tip your hat and hope for a different outcome in the tournament at the end of the year. But knowing the refs will send that kid to the line constantly duke and he will get more points per possession than if you just let him have open shots.
I think if we can turn the game into a 3pt shooting contest, we'll have the advantage.
I think if we can turn the game into a 3pt shooting contest, we'll have the advantage.
I'm preparing myself mentally for the barrage of discussion, closeups, and family shots in the stands for this game, for Flagg. As others have said I think they'll have different strategies to make him uncomfortable. Around his favorite areas to shoot I expect doubleteams and hedges to guide him toward our bigs so they can potentially block his shot.
Wish last year was when UK played Duke. I thought last year's Duke team sucked. Was never/am not a fan of Flip and they were slow and had crappy guard play. Only reason they made Elite 8 is Sean McManus at CBS Sports was retiring and his gift was that bracket. Just a putrid bracket and if Houston's PG didn't get hurt-they'd have lost there. Was hoping they'd have been placed in UConn's Region out East and gotten a UNLV in '90 like beating.
This year I think they'll be very good and a contender. They are athletic and really like the roster makeup on the wings--with Kneuppel and Harris as shooters. Not as big of an Evans fan, but they have bodies. I also don't view Malauch like most-think he's a bit stiff, but he's better than Ryan Young who was playing for whatever reason and like the kid they got that was teammates with Harris in HS--reminds me of that Nova Center Daniel Ochefu. Flagg is going to be a great player. Hope for UK is that Tyrese Proctor thinks he's the star and plays like...well to this point Tyrese Proctor.
This year I think they'll be very good and a contender. They are athletic and really like the roster makeup on the wings--with Kneuppel and Harris as shooters. Not as big of an Evans fan, but they have bodies. I also don't view Malauch like most-think he's a bit stiff, but he's better than Ryan Young who was playing for whatever reason and like the kid they got that was teammates with Harris in HS--reminds me of that Nova Center Daniel Ochefu. Flagg is going to be a great player. Hope for UK is that Tyrese Proctor thinks he's the star and plays like...well to this point Tyrese Proctor.
Williams may be the best big in America defensively. If any big can, its Williams.
I’m actually more interested in how UK can possibly exploit him on defense. Put him in pick and roll and pick and pop all night and make him make decisions and guard out in space.
He’s offensively gifted but I’m hoping Pope exploits him defensively all night long. Make him make reads in PNR defense and see if he’s willing to chase guys, hedge appropriately, and make rotations. Because physical strength and team defense will not be his strongest attributes that early in the season.
He’s offensively gifted but I’m hoping Pope exploits him defensively all night long. Make him make reads in PNR defense and see if he’s willing to chase guys, hedge appropriately, and make rotations. Because physical strength and team defense will not be his strongest attributes that early in the season.
True but if UK puts the wraps on Flagg from scoring Duke wont be able to beat us.
I think it’s going to be tough to completely contain him. But it will be easier if we make him work on defense.
BTW I think Oweh is the best bet to match up with Flagg but we’ll need a full team effort on defense. I think Flagg will struggle with someone that physical.
I don't think Flagg will be anywhere close to Zion on the offensive end. Zion was one of the most efficient scores we will ever see in college. Defensively he will be better than Zion was. He will get a bunch of points on dunks and in transition if we don't guard him well. Think Oweh will get the first chance guarding him but it will be a team approach.
We put Carr on Flagg to start he's 6-9 195 Carr is 6-11 227 and I think can give him fits from inside and outside. If Carr can't guard him I think this is Almoror's game to shine at 6-7 232 he's perfect to guard Flagg after all he did a great job on the caveman from Purdue Edey. This is not a great matchup for Duke. We're deep, experienced and I'd say more disciplined then them oh and we shoot better.
I appreciate the props. Yes, when I state my opinion, I do like to give the reason behind it, a lot of posters just post but do not provide anything to back their opinion. You bring up some very valid points, however, Flagg is not a big body at 6-9. He is only 190 lbs. and is more of a finesse player. Flagg gets most of his blocks from off the ball, help defense, not bodied up against his man. he is not strong enough to play against stronger, more physical players. He has range out to the 3 point line shooting, excellent passer, and runs very well. He is better suited being able to move around on offense and use his passing to prevent double teams. By putting him on the block down low, it hurts his ability to play to his strengths. Think of a former UK player Tayshaun Prince, he was 6-9 and only 190. He was too weak and slender to play the PF position, he was most suited playing the wing, just because a guy is 6-9, doesn't make him a PF. Flagg is actually listed as a SF, not based on how tall he is, but his game.
I appreciate the civil discussion, both posters providing valid points and neither ignore the others opinion. It is what message board discussions are SUPPOSE to be about, but we both know way too many times, it is not the case.
Sounds like maybe the best way to slow his offense may be run screens on offense till he is on someone much stronger than him and isolate him and let him pick up fouls trying to guard someone?
We better beat them early because by the end of the season I fully expect them to be the favorites to cut down the net. All this talk about Flagg and I feel the guy you better be watching is Maluach. He can defend, rebound, and really seems to be coming along as a shooter. Only been playing basketball for 4-5 years.
They have just enough veteran leadership, look to have a possibly really good defensive team, and their freshmen, especially the top 2, project to be future NBA all-stars. Scheyer put together a very good team.
They have just enough veteran leadership, look to have a possibly really good defensive team, and their freshmen, especially the top 2, project to be future NBA all-stars. Scheyer put together a very good team.
JMU also lost their best player early in the game. I think they likely get past JMU regardless, but you never know. Jon Scheyer kind of was gifted a pass for last year, but that very well could have turned into a disastrous year.
It's amazing how just a single injury here or there can totally change the outcomes in March, and therefore change the narrative around the team, the players, and the coach. What if UK had kept facing teams with injuries to their best player? We probably walk to the Elite8 as well, DESPITE the fact that we still had a lot of issues with the lineup and coaching.
The score was 18-4 when JMU’s best player went down, for the record.
We beat them like a rented mule that said something bad about your Mom.
Flagg will be a problem and we'll have to rotate players on him. But he is a
freshman and might not be so hot on defense so I'd have Carr or Robinson, whichever
Flagg is guarding, post or iso him EVERY single trip down the floor until he got into
foul trouble. If they want to go zone to protect him I think our team might be able
to shoot them out of it.
Flagg will be a problem and we'll have to rotate players on him. But he is a
freshman and might not be so hot on defense so I'd have Carr or Robinson, whichever
Flagg is guarding, post or iso him EVERY single trip down the floor until he got into
foul trouble. If they want to go zone to protect him I think our team might be able
to shoot them out of it.
I'm hoping to beat them by at least one and we probably will need to switch guys on Flagg and get into his legs trying to guard us.
In the McD game, I was not impressed by him.
That doesn't mean I don't think he is good, probably the best FR in the country, and possibly one of the better players in the country. But it does mean that I don't think he will be dominating player, like Zion was, or Cousins, or Wall. I think he is one of those type players who you don't think is having a great game, then you look at the stats and he has an 18-8-4 line.
As for those who say it has to be X guarding him because he scores on the break. You do know I hope that on the break you don't just pick up your man, you get back and pick up WHOEVER is on the break on offense, then once everyone is back then you can switch back onto your man. Not to mention, we now have a coach who is not deathly allergic to playing zone (doesn't mean Pope will a use it a lot either, but I trust he has that in his back pocket too if he thinks he needs to use it and will on occasion).
Since he is more a perimeter player than a post player (but can do both), I expect it will be our PF (Carr) on him mostly since he plays PF. Otherwise, you are screwing with other matchups, while not really shutting him down anyway. And I do think a SR or super-SR (not named Reeves) can probably do a decent job guarding a FR who isn't an athletic freak of nature (like Zion, Cousins, Wall were). I think this kid, while athletic, is good more because of skill than the physical tools.
That doesn't mean I don't think he is good, probably the best FR in the country, and possibly one of the better players in the country. But it does mean that I don't think he will be dominating player, like Zion was, or Cousins, or Wall. I think he is one of those type players who you don't think is having a great game, then you look at the stats and he has an 18-8-4 line.
As for those who say it has to be X guarding him because he scores on the break. You do know I hope that on the break you don't just pick up your man, you get back and pick up WHOEVER is on the break on offense, then once everyone is back then you can switch back onto your man. Not to mention, we now have a coach who is not deathly allergic to playing zone (doesn't mean Pope will a use it a lot either, but I trust he has that in his back pocket too if he thinks he needs to use it and will on occasion).
Since he is more a perimeter player than a post player (but can do both), I expect it will be our PF (Carr) on him mostly since he plays PF. Otherwise, you are screwing with other matchups, while not really shutting him down anyway. And I do think a SR or super-SR (not named Reeves) can probably do a decent job guarding a FR who isn't an athletic freak of nature (like Zion, Cousins, Wall were). I think this kid, while athletic, is good more because of skill than the physical tools.
Would love to see Pope out coach Scheyer in this game. That is my hope. It won't determine the season for UK win or lose, but it sure would be a huge morale boost for the players and the fans if Kentucky upsets dUKe. dUKe should be the favorite and a win early on is not life or death for the season. I do believe that this year, UK will have an actual coach on the sidelines - something that has been missing for quite a few years. GBB!
I think mainly it'll be Oweh and Robinson on him. He'll see 5-6 different guys and a variety of different looks.
The main thing as mentioned earlier is to make him work, work, work on defense to tire him out and exploit the fact he is a freshman. Try to get him PnR sports with Williams and make him switch down low where Williams is a lot stronger and can pick up some fouls, wear him down some.
Duke is good, real good this year. I think their shooting may be the weak part of the game, so maybe you fall back in a zone and dare them to shoot over you.
We know with an overhyped player like Flagg at Duke, he's going to get every whistle coming and going. So make him a shooter and save some of the fouls and FTs
The main thing as mentioned earlier is to make him work, work, work on defense to tire him out and exploit the fact he is a freshman. Try to get him PnR sports with Williams and make him switch down low where Williams is a lot stronger and can pick up some fouls, wear him down some.
Duke is good, real good this year. I think their shooting may be the weak part of the game, so maybe you fall back in a zone and dare them to shoot over you.
We know with an overhyped player like Flagg at Duke, he's going to get every whistle coming and going. So make him a shooter and save some of the fouls and FTs
Have you not seen the talent Duke possesses? We are not beating them (IMHO). They might beat us by 15. There's always a chance though
On paper I agree they are favored. How many times over the last half a dozen years or so have we been beaten by lesser teams? A lot. A common thread in those games was a 3 pt differential. If we're efficient and connect on 5 or 6 more threes that could give us the win. They are not so advanced from us to overcome that, I believe. Plus, nobody will expect us to win, so the pressure will be on them. Down 8 or 10 in the second half I can see them unravel under the pressure.
After watching highlights of Flagg the other day in a game we better put a dog on him. He is constantly running his mouth and bad mouthing other players. Need a guy with Kriisa's mentality that will not mind toeing up if need be. He will be acting like he is the man, will need some humbling from the get go.
We will definitely need to shoot the lights out from 3 to win. Good
Observation
Maluach is going to be pretty good but I hope he’s still going through a learning phase when he plays against us. Can’t wait for this game
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