I’ve had the chance to watch Duke 3 times this season, just wanted to summarize some of my general takeaways in light of the much anticipated matchup.
Duke is not an overly physical team, especially on the glass. I’m sure most of you know by now my primary concern is always “will we get bullied” on the boards. Duke seems to have taken a step back in this area in comparison to recent years. Parker seems to be the best rebounder on the team, and Hood has all the tools to be a good rebounder, but doesn’t have the tenacity. I think Mitch could be in for a HUGE game if he is healthy. I don’t think Duke has anyone on the roster equipped to deal with Mitch on the glass.
On offense, Duke is EXTREMELY good. In fact they remind me of Michigan to a certain extent. They shoot the ball very well as a team, have slashers in Hood and Parker, a pass first PG in Cook, but don’t really seem to have a true post threat.
On defense Duke doesn’t really impress me to be honest. Again, not overly physical, but they have decent length with Parker, Hood, and Jefferson. Duke doesn’t apply a lot of ball pressure. Jefferson seems to be Duke’s one defensive oriented player. I think we can score against Duke if we take care of the ball.
Overall, I don’t think there is any doubt GR3 and Stauskas are going to have their hands full with Parker/Hood. To combat that, I think Mitch needs to have a big night, and quite frankly I think it’s there for the taking if he wants it. I think we can generate some points from the charity stripe if we’re intent on getting to the rime. If one of GR3/Nik have a good night on offense, it should be a tight game if Walton is able to avoid too many mistakes.
If I had to point to one factor that needs to go in our favor - Mitch has to avoid foul trouble.
Hood and Parker are going to get theres but hopefull we can keep that duo from shooting less than 50%. They are both shooting something ridiculous like 60% FG and 50% 3 pt FG. I think we are better off than most teams having the length and size to throw at them and make them slightly more inefficient.
Cook and Jefferson are offensive non-factors as far as scoring threats.
Parker, Hood and Jefferson are all average defenders so we have to go at them.
They are like a suped up Iowa St, difference being that they don’t have big PG who can post up and less, albeit significantly better, offensive threats on the floor. I hope that lack of physicality in the backcourt helps Levert get going early.
I think the difference will come down to Stauskas vs Parker in crunch time. That’d make for good television.
Duke is shooting 49% from 3 so far after 4 games. That’s insane.
I don’t think we can get into a shooting contest with them.
Hopefully we attack the hoop and feed the post with their lack of a true “big”
They have two players that are significantly boosting that number. They aren't a threat from 1-5 like ISU. I agree we have to attack Parker and Hood.
In particular I think we should attack Hood. I think Hood ultimately impacts this game more than Parker because he attacks the rim at a higher rate, meaning more likelihood that Mitch gets in foul trouble and more points from the charity stripe. I would love nothing more than Nik to draw a few quickies on Hood, I think we can really take advantage without Hood on the floor.
They have two players that are significantly boosting that number. They aren't a threat from 1-5 like ISU. I agree we have to attack Parker and Hood.
In particular I think we should attack Hood. I think Hood ultimately impacts this game more than Parker because he attacks the rim at a higher rate, meaning more likelihood that Mitch gets in foul trouble and more points from the charity stripe. I would love nothing more than Nik to draw a few quickies on Hood, I think we can really take advantage without Hood on the floor.
Yeah, Hood is shooting at a more efficient rate than Parker, which is absurd. I can’t believe MSU didn’t decide to keep their coach just to retain his talents. He is that good. Probably will replace GR3 in the lottery this summer.
The Duke fans on the National board are worried about the Michigan game. They really lack muscle inside and are worried that they won’t have an answer for McGary. Let’s hope so.
I agree McGary could have his way with Duke if he can stay out of foul trouble. Although I worry about the home cookin in Cameron and Coach K being smart enough to realize that getting Mitch out of the game is priority one.
The biggest advantage they have, in my opinion, is the experience of their guards. Thornton, Cook, and Sulaimon don’t look like much at first glance, but they defend, don’t make a lot of mistakes, and knock down open shots.
I disagree, their guards are by far their biggest weaknesses. They don't shoot it well and are highly erratic, plus they are all small.
Agree to disagree. We will see what happens come game time. I hope you are right. However, when I have watched them they do shoot it well and are not what I would call erratic. Also, I wouldn’t describe 6-2, 6-2, and 6-4 as small necessarily. But whatever, agree to disagree.
We start two 6-6 wings and have a backup that is 6-6. I don’t know how that isn’t a size advantage?
Dawkins is a jumpshooter
Thornton is a nonthreat, seriously look at his numbers
I just don’t see a guy like Kane who was a 24 year old grown man who could attack and post up our guards. Cook (who is erratic from long range) and Suilimon are their biggest threats as far as guard play. Duke is great and should be favored because of those two forwards they have.
But I agree that neither persons opinion will change.
I agree that Duke’s guards are most likely the least of our worries unless Parker commands a double team. My only point is that our size advantage on the perimeter is not as advantageous as it would be if we were more physical/aggressive on defense.
Honestly after today, I’m less optimistic about our guys winning even with the size advantage and more slightly more consistent guardplay. Our lack of boxing out and inability to close out on shooters probably won’t be fixed by then.
In particular, GR3 missed several switches on the perimter during pick and roll situations in the first half alone. Don’t know if this is miscommunication, or just growing pains, but LB definitely had some open looks when GR3 was involved in pick and roll defense. Can’t recall if they were able to cash in, but that does need to be addressed.
We would need a very, very good effort on team defense to have a chance to win this game, and I just don’t think we’re capable of that, at least not at this point in the season. Horford and Morgan would also have to have their best games of the season. I’m preparing myself for frustration…
I checked out the Duke-Vermont game since our game was delayed until 7:30. My opinion hasn’t changed - Duke is not very good at defense, in fact they may actually be just as bad as we are. However, they are very good at offense. The only thing they really lack is a post threat. If we’re able to just play average defense and avoid TOs, I actually think the game should be really close.
Had the opportunity to check out the second half of the Duke-Vermont game on DVR late last night. I never thought I would say this, but after watching Duke for the better part of 3-4 games, I actually think Michigan is a better defensive team. Duke is absolutely awful on defense, and that is no exaggeration. It’s really just a small exaggeration to say that Vermont was running a layup drill on Duke last night, it was really that bad. The games that I’ve watched Duke, teams are also making a living at the FT line. Duke is a poor rebounding team as well, Parker is the only player that crashes the boards with consistency. Duke doesn’t apply ball pressure, and doesn’t force TOs.
On offense, Duke is a great shooting team (better than Michigan in my opinion), but no interior presence, and they don’t hit the offensive glass hard either.
This game is going to be very entertaining provided GR3 & Stauskas are healthy, there will be no shortage of scoring. I honestly think Michigan CAN win this game, the key is keeping Mitch out of foul trouble and involving him in the offense more. Duke simply has nobody to matchup with Mitch. If we can just be average to slightly below average on defense, I actually think we win this game if healthy.