Very good recap. Mark is struggling to find his niche right now, but he will find his way. These games now are very instrumental in developing chemistry and working on different combinations.
What a write up! You went deep Brian! Only thing I’d even slightly disagree with is nitpicking on saying I don’t think the game was ever in question but more just when would we put them away. Having said all of that, there are real concerns with this team. Good news is we are learning in wins. I think the first two games are a huge wake up call to Mark and Duke fans who just assumed he’d pick up right where he left off at the end of last year. Yes that “could” have happened, but let’s be real, he’s got to be consistent. I think he will be and it won’t take long. These two games will be big for him. It was a tough matchup for him against Kentucky and this one was tough bc of the size of Army. Once we start playing teams with more traditional bigs, I think he will be able to hit his stride.
I’ll add my 2 cents…Duke for sure has 3 guys that they can consistently rely on but as the season goes on teams will game plan for them. Like using a big athletic guy to at least make things harder on him like Kentucky did with Toppin. Teams will either use smaller quick guys to dribble drive to the bucket or kick or taller players as wings.
Duke needs more production from the other players so teams won’t double those 3 players. I can easily see in the UNC game that they use RJ the same as Kentucky used their PG and then they will camp Love and Walton off the ball. They will have their 4s all over Banchero and let Bacot feast in the lane.
Very good recap. Mark is struggling to find his niche right now, but he will find his way. These games now are very instrumental in developing chemistry and working on different combinations.
What a write up! You went deep Brian! Only thing I’d even slightly disagree with is nitpicking on saying I don’t think the game was ever in question but more just when would we put them away. Having said all of that, there are real concerns with this team. Good news is we are learning in wins. I think the first two games are a huge wake up call to Mark and Duke fans who just assumed he’d pick up right where he left off at the end of last year. Yes that “could” have happened, but let’s be real, he’s got to be consistent. I think he will be and it won’t take long. These two games will be big for him. It was a tough matchup for him against Kentucky and this one was tough bc of the size of Army. Once we start playing teams with more traditional bigs, I think he will be able to hit his stride.
Good Stuff.
I’ll add my 2 cents…Duke for sure has 3 guys that they can consistently rely on but as the season goes on teams will game plan for them. Like using a big athletic guy to at least make things harder on him like Kentucky did with Toppin. Teams will either use smaller quick guys to dribble drive to the bucket or kick or taller players as wings.
Duke needs more production from the other players so teams won’t double those 3 players. I can easily see in the UNC game that they use RJ the same as Kentucky used their PG and then they will camp Love and Walton off the ball. They will have their 4s all over Banchero and let Bacot feast in the lane.