Live and die by the 3 ball (Observations of last nights loss to FLorida State)

Posted On: January 12, 2011 By: johnnydukes32 Comments: (one)

In light of Dukes minor set back last night some observations:

Major lack of intensity. Duke is a very good team right now but are not a great team. They arent good enough to “dog” it for 20 minutes during a 40 minute game. I believe during this time where the team isn’t communicating and playing tired someone needs to step up and be the leader. I dont mean step and make points but step up and be the vocal leader. I saw a lot of bad shots last night and playing out of control and no one seemed to step up to put an end to that. Nolan Smith has done a very good job of becoming the leader of this years Duke team but someone else needs to get the team motivated when Nolan is having an “off” game.

Lack of an inside game. During a game when the shots aren’t falling, especially from 3 point land, how long do you let it go before you tell the team to get it inside? The team shot a dismal 11 for 35 from 3 point land last night. This creates a one dimensional team. Duke becomes a little too easy to predict and teams will guard the 3 point line. They were many times I was wondering when the team was going to work on getting it inside this year and simply work on the paint. Duke played a few less than spectacular teams where I believe they could of worked on that a little more. If we think back to last years National Championship team I think the “X” factor was the rise of Brian Zoubek. The last 10 games or so he did all the little things, rebounding, dishing it back out and creating second chance points, and giving Duke that inside game they desperately need right now. Miles and Mason Plumlee have to step up as well as Kyle Singler inside and the team needs to get the ball into them if Duke is to have another magical run.

But lets give credit where it’s due. Florida State played a heck of a game and they seem to have the uncanny ability to play Duke very well as the number 1 team in the nation on their home court. In 2002 and 2006 Florida State knocked off Duke as the number 1 team in the land. Last night history repeated. Florida State came out right from the start of the game more hungry, with more emotion and more intensity to get the “W”. They fought for the loose balls and outrebounded Duke in crucial times of the game. Simply played with more passion last night.

Not to worry just yet for the Duke Nation. You can rest assured that Coach K was the first in the office this morning at the drawing board coming up with a strategy to get Duke to bounce back. In my opinion there is not a better team after a loss than Duke. History has proven itself time and time again as Duke comes out refocused and with more passion after a let down. Its this that has made Duke number 1 so many times. I expect to see the team to come out fighting on Saturday and with a new energy. I expect to see the sort of win that has made Duke the team to beat for so many years.

Category: Duke Basketball

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One Response to “Live and die by the 3 ball (Observations of last nights loss to FLorida State)”

robert schaeffer Says:
January 13th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Athletic, we have all heard the word passed around.Our bigs might be athletic in a junior collage dunk contest.Not in division one b-ball, no offense,no defense. NO HEART . Play four gaurds and Kyle