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- Oct 7, 2012
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http://www.duke-forum.com/blog/kentucky-post-game-reaction/
Man, I like this team.
One of the things I look for in any Duke squad is the player that has the balls to step in the big moments, seize the momentum-swinging chances, and bury his foil. More often than not, its a senior whose will was forged in the fiery furnace of demands under the watchful eye of Coach K.
We saw how the pressure and criticism finally turned the coal version of Brian Zoubek into the best damn rebounding diamond in Durham in a long, long time.
Some players seek it but do not feel its full effects like Austin Rivers did.
Some players wilt under the pressure and cry mercy.
For the last three years, I wondered what would happen to both Seth Curry and Mason Plumlee under these circumstances. The former is so laid back and cool on the court, you have a hard time believing he cares about winning or losing. The latter was so raw, you wondered if the skill would ever catch up to the athleticism.
On Tuesday night, both showed that they have in fact emerged as savvy seniors that knew when to apply aggression and that their team needed them.
That isn't to forget the third senior, Ryan Kelly, who perhaps performed as well as anyone in the game. Kelly, who struggled to score early in the game, played near flawless helpside defense, playing the defensive switches well enough to deny entry passes to Noel and Cauley-Stein.
His, rather all three of the seniors, confidence was perhaps the biggest tell that this team has definitively evolved from last season. Just look back to the game in Columbus last season when all three failed to get off the bus as Duke basically played 2 on 5. While I'm obviously cherry-picking a bit, at the very least, we know that when the seniors show up, they can be dangerously effective on both ends of the court.
However, I'm not going to sit here and tell you everything is sunshine and boobs.
The most glaring issue Duke dealt with last night was foul trouble. Mostly due to terrible perimeter defending which allowed Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress to drive, at will, into the paint and create contact. Some of the foul issues will get alleviated when Marshall Plumlee comes back but lets be real. Something needs to improve on the arc or the Ghost of CJ McCollum won't be put completely behind us. Athletic and quick guards will continue to drive and take out our best post options with foul trouble.
On the other hand, I'm sure K is like "fuck it, I'll play Josh Hairston at the 5 and you bitches can bring it."
Speaking of, how about a huge ovation for Jiggy?? I see you Josh, bodying up Noel, pushing him off the block, denying the ball as if he caught it you would be shot by a sniper. I see you Josh, hitting the offensive glass like it stole your corndogs. You played out of your mind, easily your best game in a Duke uniform.
One line in my game notes reads: I want to hug Josh Hairston, he is blossoming like a husky rose.
Your heart and hustle was on full display Josh, fucking bravo.
Frankly, I'm not sure much else needs to be said. This team's heart shined on the big stage, in front of a championship-type crowd, against a championship-caliber team. Sure, Thornton's offense was sloppy, Cook made a few poor choices, and Alex Murphy has been body-snatched but the cohesive unit that we've been missing showed up, balled hard, and got the W.
This is a team I can get behind.
Man, I like this team.
One of the things I look for in any Duke squad is the player that has the balls to step in the big moments, seize the momentum-swinging chances, and bury his foil. More often than not, its a senior whose will was forged in the fiery furnace of demands under the watchful eye of Coach K.
We saw how the pressure and criticism finally turned the coal version of Brian Zoubek into the best damn rebounding diamond in Durham in a long, long time.
Some players seek it but do not feel its full effects like Austin Rivers did.
Some players wilt under the pressure and cry mercy.
For the last three years, I wondered what would happen to both Seth Curry and Mason Plumlee under these circumstances. The former is so laid back and cool on the court, you have a hard time believing he cares about winning or losing. The latter was so raw, you wondered if the skill would ever catch up to the athleticism.
On Tuesday night, both showed that they have in fact emerged as savvy seniors that knew when to apply aggression and that their team needed them.
That isn't to forget the third senior, Ryan Kelly, who perhaps performed as well as anyone in the game. Kelly, who struggled to score early in the game, played near flawless helpside defense, playing the defensive switches well enough to deny entry passes to Noel and Cauley-Stein.
His, rather all three of the seniors, confidence was perhaps the biggest tell that this team has definitively evolved from last season. Just look back to the game in Columbus last season when all three failed to get off the bus as Duke basically played 2 on 5. While I'm obviously cherry-picking a bit, at the very least, we know that when the seniors show up, they can be dangerously effective on both ends of the court.
However, I'm not going to sit here and tell you everything is sunshine and boobs.
The most glaring issue Duke dealt with last night was foul trouble. Mostly due to terrible perimeter defending which allowed Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress to drive, at will, into the paint and create contact. Some of the foul issues will get alleviated when Marshall Plumlee comes back but lets be real. Something needs to improve on the arc or the Ghost of CJ McCollum won't be put completely behind us. Athletic and quick guards will continue to drive and take out our best post options with foul trouble.
On the other hand, I'm sure K is like "fuck it, I'll play Josh Hairston at the 5 and you bitches can bring it."
Speaking of, how about a huge ovation for Jiggy?? I see you Josh, bodying up Noel, pushing him off the block, denying the ball as if he caught it you would be shot by a sniper. I see you Josh, hitting the offensive glass like it stole your corndogs. You played out of your mind, easily your best game in a Duke uniform.
One line in my game notes reads: I want to hug Josh Hairston, he is blossoming like a husky rose.
Your heart and hustle was on full display Josh, fucking bravo.
Frankly, I'm not sure much else needs to be said. This team's heart shined on the big stage, in front of a championship-type crowd, against a championship-caliber team. Sure, Thornton's offense was sloppy, Cook made a few poor choices, and Alex Murphy has been body-snatched but the cohesive unit that we've been missing showed up, balled hard, and got the W.
This is a team I can get behind.
