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Duke vs Wake Forest Post Game Reaction
How do you criticize an undefeated team that hasn’t won a game by less than 13 points since Ohio State came to town? You can’t really. I’ve looked over the team since that run of taking down five of the top 12 teams in the country (according to Z-rating) and there is little to squabble about other than rebounding (improving) and focus (hardly costing us games).
Instead of saying how this team can improve, which is quite obviously one area that isn’t going to be fixed, lets just move on from that and look at what Duke is because 14 games in we’ve developed a strong framework to examine.
In the Wake game, Quinn Cook had probably the worst shooting night of what will be his entire career. 0 for 11 from the field isn’t going to happen often for a kid that came into the game shooting 46% from the field and nearly 50% from long range.
Regardless of his career-worst shooting night, the kid was cooking on offense dishing 14 assists to just one turnover. Cook has been tremendous in generating the offensive sets and using his awareness to make smart, efficient passes.
Last year, we saw Cook try to force so much flare into his game that his turnover rate was exceedingly high and the passes he did complete tended to be to unaware teammates. This year, Cook has scaled that aspect of his game back and allowed himself to flow within the offense more but more importantly, he has also instilled his skill set into the DNA of the sets.
Without a doubt, he’s the most improved player on the team and will take down Hurley’s single game assist record before the season is out.
Now, some of you might say that Mason is the most improved player and while you certainly have an argument, something is up with the kid. Rather, he’s starting to be figured out and game planned for. Early in the season, Plumlee was being isolated and was able to feed off his mismatches and was able to convert more efficiently, specifically, that two-handed, lay-up of his.
Strangely, he’s still getting the same number of touches each game, roughly 15, but it’s how he’s getting the touches. In the Kentucky game, he got 6-8 touches inside eight feet from the basket. Now, the number is starting to dwindle towards 5 per game. Not a huge drop until you consider this: each touch in the low block Mason gets, he more often than not draws a foul or hits a lay up. 3 low block touches per game less equates to 4-6 points Duke isn’t getting in those situations.
Ryan Kelly continued his brilliance against Wake Forest. If only UNC could get black jerseys, Kelly may just shake his weird kryptonite-like weakness to the Heels. Kelly remains the most important player to our team in that he brings a huge mismatch on offense, gives the offensive set a ridiculous amount of spacing, and is frankly, one of the best interior defenders in the country.
According to kenpom.com, Kelly blocks 5.8% of all shots while he’s on the floor, good for a team high. Plumlee may block with more style but Kelly does a great job of altering shots and shutting down his man. Paired with his top 20 low turnover rate and he’s made himself the most useful and indispensible player on our team. Nowhere can you find a player with his range, ball control, and defense packaged in a 6’10” forward.
Something that has been of varied and intense discussion is the use of the bench. Specifically, Amile Jefferson and Alex Murphy. The former I believe to be a great player that simply lacks the composure and smarts to play a lot right now. As he learns and develops his strength over time, Jefferson has the potential to be great. However, right now he’s basically a garbage man on the boards and offers great length on defense that is negated by his iffy awareness. Really like what I see in him but he’s got some growing still to do.
Murphy is a weirder case. Like Mike Gbinije last season, Murphy has showed flashes of being a solid ACC player right now. However, for every play you say “Hey, that was actually really impressive,” he gives you a “Dude, what the fuck?” He’s been a great rebounder when he’s gotten minutes, which sadly hints that if he ever gets his confidence he could be a valuable missing piece. As he is, his wide-eyed approach seems to be more of a hindrance right now.
Still, the fact that both of the these guys only seem to be mentally behind is encouraging as we know that can be developed and worked on over time. If K can work on their psyches and get them to even a passable level, Duke could potentially go 10 deep.
As is, the bench is a heavy work in progress. My one fear is that Curry’s injury somehow worsens in a game during ACC play and one of our bench players (most likely Murphy) gets thrust into heavier minutes than he is prepared for and sets our team back.
Overall, Duke has built quite the formidable top 7 that bring different skill sets and compliment each other’s strengths. The emphatically biggest difference from last season.
How do you criticize an undefeated team that hasn’t won a game by less than 13 points since Ohio State came to town? You can’t really. I’ve looked over the team since that run of taking down five of the top 12 teams in the country (according to Z-rating) and there is little to squabble about other than rebounding (improving) and focus (hardly costing us games).
Instead of saying how this team can improve, which is quite obviously one area that isn’t going to be fixed, lets just move on from that and look at what Duke is because 14 games in we’ve developed a strong framework to examine.
In the Wake game, Quinn Cook had probably the worst shooting night of what will be his entire career. 0 for 11 from the field isn’t going to happen often for a kid that came into the game shooting 46% from the field and nearly 50% from long range.
Regardless of his career-worst shooting night, the kid was cooking on offense dishing 14 assists to just one turnover. Cook has been tremendous in generating the offensive sets and using his awareness to make smart, efficient passes.
Last year, we saw Cook try to force so much flare into his game that his turnover rate was exceedingly high and the passes he did complete tended to be to unaware teammates. This year, Cook has scaled that aspect of his game back and allowed himself to flow within the offense more but more importantly, he has also instilled his skill set into the DNA of the sets.
Without a doubt, he’s the most improved player on the team and will take down Hurley’s single game assist record before the season is out.
Now, some of you might say that Mason is the most improved player and while you certainly have an argument, something is up with the kid. Rather, he’s starting to be figured out and game planned for. Early in the season, Plumlee was being isolated and was able to feed off his mismatches and was able to convert more efficiently, specifically, that two-handed, lay-up of his.
Strangely, he’s still getting the same number of touches each game, roughly 15, but it’s how he’s getting the touches. In the Kentucky game, he got 6-8 touches inside eight feet from the basket. Now, the number is starting to dwindle towards 5 per game. Not a huge drop until you consider this: each touch in the low block Mason gets, he more often than not draws a foul or hits a lay up. 3 low block touches per game less equates to 4-6 points Duke isn’t getting in those situations.
Ryan Kelly continued his brilliance against Wake Forest. If only UNC could get black jerseys, Kelly may just shake his weird kryptonite-like weakness to the Heels. Kelly remains the most important player to our team in that he brings a huge mismatch on offense, gives the offensive set a ridiculous amount of spacing, and is frankly, one of the best interior defenders in the country.
According to kenpom.com, Kelly blocks 5.8% of all shots while he’s on the floor, good for a team high. Plumlee may block with more style but Kelly does a great job of altering shots and shutting down his man. Paired with his top 20 low turnover rate and he’s made himself the most useful and indispensible player on our team. Nowhere can you find a player with his range, ball control, and defense packaged in a 6’10” forward.
Something that has been of varied and intense discussion is the use of the bench. Specifically, Amile Jefferson and Alex Murphy. The former I believe to be a great player that simply lacks the composure and smarts to play a lot right now. As he learns and develops his strength over time, Jefferson has the potential to be great. However, right now he’s basically a garbage man on the boards and offers great length on defense that is negated by his iffy awareness. Really like what I see in him but he’s got some growing still to do.
Murphy is a weirder case. Like Mike Gbinije last season, Murphy has showed flashes of being a solid ACC player right now. However, for every play you say “Hey, that was actually really impressive,” he gives you a “Dude, what the fuck?” He’s been a great rebounder when he’s gotten minutes, which sadly hints that if he ever gets his confidence he could be a valuable missing piece. As he is, his wide-eyed approach seems to be more of a hindrance right now.
Still, the fact that both of the these guys only seem to be mentally behind is encouraging as we know that can be developed and worked on over time. If K can work on their psyches and get them to even a passable level, Duke could potentially go 10 deep.
As is, the bench is a heavy work in progress. My one fear is that Curry’s injury somehow worsens in a game during ACC play and one of our bench players (most likely Murphy) gets thrust into heavier minutes than he is prepared for and sets our team back.
Overall, Duke has built quite the formidable top 7 that bring different skill sets and compliment each other’s strengths. The emphatically biggest difference from last season.
