Duke Gameday...

[rrlbees]

Here is a big question- does Red go to the lineup combos that worked last game quickly or revert back to his misguided security blanket and let JJ take 19 shots?? Winning is a different matter but as for competing for 40 minutes that decision looms large.

As crazy as he drives us sometimes, JJ is a better all around player than Kiyan or Betsy. I hope they play as well as they did the 2nd half Saturday but that hasn’t been the norm.

 

[Orangezoo]

As crazy as he drives us sometimes, JJ is a better all around player than Kiyan or Betsy. I hope they play as well as they did the 2nd half Saturday but that hasn’t been the norm.

He can be and if that version shows up then absolutely. Just don’t want to see Red roll with him if he is struggling and a liability out there which we have seen happen all too often this year.

It could also turn into an audition for guys looking to put things on tape to their own benefit and hope that isn’t tolerated either.

 

[MikeSU02]

As crazy as he drives us sometimes, JJ is a better all around player than Kiyan or Betsy. I hope they play as well as they did the 2nd half Saturday but that hasn’t been the norm.

Gave you a like.

Here is my counter (sort of), respectfully:

Let's say JJ is better all around than Kiyan and Betsey (Kiyan has been atrocious lately until last game so I actually think JJ is more the devil you know vs the devil you don't with Kiyan), I would argue that assertion, if true, is only true on an individual level. But that with the way JJ plays, and I think we can all agree he is unlikely to change his tune after starting 105+ games, he is not better for the best possible starting five unit as a whole.

Now, I would absolutely not start Kiyan. But I do think Betsey at the 3 and Kingz at the 2 is better than what we have now.

Again, I know it ain't changing, so it's moot. And different teams will dictate different matchups, but JJ still wants to be Kobe when he should have tried to emulate D Wade.

 

[Owens guy]

Who at ESPN decided to keep JWill on the air but not LaPhonso Ellis?

 

[Col. Bleep]

If we pulled this off, would it be the greatest upset win of our program history? Other contenders I suppose would be our upset win against Virginia in the ncaa tournament in 2016, beating West Virg in 2021 in the round of 32 when they were #3 seed and we were #11, or all the way back before my SU fandom in 1975 sweet 16 win against North Carolina.

Maybe the greatest ever because the game is in Cameron...but also the least important major upset in SU history.
The 1975 win over UNC is probably bigger.

But don't forget the December '82 win over Olajuan, Drexler and Phi Slama Jama Houston.
That was in the Dome.
And the Orange had a pretty good team with Santifer and Waldron in the backcourt and Bruin and Rautins upfront.
Tony Bruin had 26 point and 9 rebounds.
Leo Rautins had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists...but a lot of turnovers, too.

Houstonbox12.11.82 - Syracuse University Athletics

Houstonbox12.11.82

cuse.com

 

[Blanko97]

If this was in Syracuse? Maybe. But this is a team that folded in Boston…

 

[Blanko97]

As crazy as he drives us sometimes, JJ is a better all around player than Kiyan or Betsy. I hope they play as well as they did the 2nd half Saturday but that hasn’t been the norm.

He better be as a freaking senior. The gap between him and Kiyan is sadly smaller than the gap between him and any other starting caliber guard in upper half of the ACC. Kiyan has room to grow and a much higher ceiling by virtue of being so young.

 

[Nicknack]

Gave you a like.

Here is my counter (sort of), respectfully:

Let's say JJ is better all around than Kiyan and Betsey (Kiyan has been atrocious lately until last game so I actually think JJ is more the devil you know vs the devil you don't with Kiyan), I would argue that assertion, if true, is only true on an individual level. But that with the way JJ plays, and I think we can all agree he is unlikely to change his tune after starting 105+ games, he is not better for the best possible starting five unit as a whole.

Now, I would absolutely not start Kiyan. But I do think Betsey at the 3 and Kingz at the 2 is better than what we have now.

Again, I know it ain't changing, so it's moot. And different teams will dictate different matchups, but JJ still wants to be Kobe when he should have tried to emulate D Wade.

Yeah, I really like the lineup of Betsey at the 3 and Kingz at the 2. I think that would be our best starting group with JJ first off the bench as long as Betsey uses all of skills instead of just camping out on the perimeter. He's shown he can hit the midrange shot so it would be nice to see that along with his 3pt shooting.

 

[rrlbees]

Yeah, I really like the lineup of Betsey at the 3 and Kingz at the 2. I think that would be our best starting group with JJ first off the bench as long as Betsey uses all of skills instead of just camping out on the perimeter. He's shown he can hit the midrange shot so it would be nice to see that along with his 3pt shooting.

I said this a few weeks ago. I like Betsy. I like having a 3 pt threat on the court. But Betsy is Chris Bell. He may even be more Bell than Bell is. 72% of his shots are from 3. Even Bell is only at 55%. They both shoot the same 3p% with Bell the better overall %. Almost everything else is pretty even or Bell with a slight advantage. They are so so similar.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Yeah, I really like the lineup of Betsey at the 3 and Kingz at the 2. I think that would be our best starting group with JJ first off the bench as long as Betsey uses all of skills instead of just camping out on the perimeter. He's shown he can hit the midrange shot so it would be nice to see that along with his 3pt shooting.

I’m hoping that Red plays who he thinks will do the best tempo wise, matchup wise and for the specific in game conditions like he noticed against SMU and responded by switching things up that aren’t working.

 

[Nicknack]

I said this a few weeks ago. I like Betsy. I like having a 3 pt threat on the court. But Betsy is Chris Bell. He may even be more Bell than Bell is. 72% of his shots are from 3. Even Bell is only at 55%. They both shoot the same 3p% with Bell the better overall %. Almost everything else is pretty even or Bell with a slight advantage. They are so so similar.

Yeah, that might be true. I like Betsey though and he's shown this year he can position himself well for the midrange jumper and make it. I think he can be a good all court player if utilized that way.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I said this a few weeks ago. I like Betsy. I like having a 3 pt threat on the court. But Betsy is Chris Bell. He may even be more Bell than Bell is. 72% of his shots are from 3. Even Bell is only at 55%. They both shoot the same 3p% with Bell the better overall %. Almost everything else is pretty even or Bell with a slight advantage. They are so so similar.

Betsey’s a better rebounder. Bell is a much better free throw shooter. Betsey is just a sophomore and hopefully he improves and doesn’t regress like Chris did his junior year.

 

[rrlbees]

Yeah, that might be true. I like Betsey though and he's shown this year he can position himself well for the midrange jumper and make it. I think he can be a good all court player if utilized that way.

He’s getting better at the 2 pter. But still shoots 44% which is the worst on the team. Bell isn’t great but is at 52%.

 

[Eric15]

I just realized that we haven't had a "prediction thread" since the Hofstra game on December 12th. Did we decide they're just too depressing?

 

[rrlbees]

Betsey’s a better rebounder. Bell is a much better free throw shooter. Betsey is just a sophomore and hopefully he improves and doesn’t regress like Chris did his junior year.

Yea for the fun of it I just went thru their stats including advanced. Betsy is the better rebounder with neither being great, but everything else they are very very similar or Chris is better. They have the same efg%. Chris has the better PER, WS, and BPM. My only point is they are so similar.

 

[orangepassion]

Yea for the fun of it I just went thru their stats including advanced. Betsy is the better rebounder with neither being great, but everything else they are very very similar or Chris is better. They have the same efg%. Chris has the better PER, WS, and BPM. My only point is they are so similar.

Don't forget they also share the same first letter of their last name with Bell/Bunch having it twice.

 

[MSOrange]

I just realized that we haven't had a "prediction thread" since the Hofstra game on December 12th. Did we decide they're just too depressing?

Probably and I'm not sure the Duke game is the best time to resurrect it

 

[MikeSU02]

We cannot give up possessions this game.

Donnie has to be locked in from the start. JJ can’t be inefficient.

Kingz is going to have to really step up if he gets looks.

If I’m Red, I’m telling Donnie that this is the game that can make him money.

House money. We’re toast anyway. Beat Duke.

 

[Orangezoo]

We cannot give up possessions this game.

Donnie has to be locked in from the start. JJ can’t be inefficient.

Kingz is going to have to really step up if he gets looks.

If I’m Red, I’m telling Donnie that this is the game that can make him money.

House money. We’re toast anyway. Beat Duke.

Yep if there is a day this season to go out and increase your chances to earn a bigger payday at the next level wherever that be- this is it. That speech can play on repeat vs UNC and Louisville too but for now it’s this game against a couple lottery picks.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

No Calvin Russell tonight I hope the injury isn’t serious.

 

[Bulldog04]

Jay Williams slobber fest.

He’s the worst

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I just realized that we haven't had a "prediction thread" since the Hofstra game on December 12th. Did we decide they're just too depressing?

Feel free to put your pREDiction in the noREDemption thread.

 

[M2MPrinciples]

DK has the over for Cam Boozer points at 24.5 (no under offered). He’s failed to reach 25 in each of Duke’s last six games.

 

[Nicknack]

We cannot give up possessions this game.

Donnie has to be locked in from the start. JJ can’t be inefficient.

Kingz is going to have to really step up if he gets looks.

If I’m Red, I’m telling Donnie that this is the game that can make him money.

House money. We’re toast anyway. Beat Duke.

Great point. George MUST value the ball today. We will not win a game like this with errant lobs and passes. Donnie needs to be strong with the ball as well. Lately, he's had a problem in that department. Seems like once a game a player rips it out of his hands and at least one errant pass (even though the box score doesn't seem to capture all).

 

[Eric15]

We will not win a game like this with errant lobs and passes.

In the second half of the Cal game in I believe a two point game, we had a two on zero fast break, and instead of just taking the guaranteed layup, he threw a lob off the backboard to Sadiq which could easily have been fumbled, etc. Obviously it worked out and we won, but IMO that is an example of immature decision making. If the game is no longer in doubt, sure have some fun with the crowd, but in a close game just make the heady play when you can.