Duke Basketball: Impact of veterans going forward for 2020-21 season
What to expect from Duke Basketball
What will Coach K draw up this year? Who the hell knows? It’s only been one game, but the possibilities look to be expansive for Duke basketball if players live up to the realistic expectations given to them before the season. They have three primary ball-handlers and two secondary ones, all capable of initiating the break off defensive pressure, outlets, or rebounds.
The Blue Devils have a wealth of wings with all kinds of skillsets, many with multi-faceted games on offense and defense. Hurt, Steward, and Baker should all be capable of shooting around 40% from three. Multiple players seem like they should be able to rebound effectively with minutes played and Steward’s nine from the guard spot was a nice bonus and something to look at going forward.
Defensively, Duke should be able to get after it either in the half-court or in press and small-ball line-ups with Hurt, Johnson, or Jaeymn Brakefield as the five. Johnson and Jaemyn may even be more suited than Hurt due to their strength and athleticism and Brakefiekld has the look and feel of an X-factor type of player who can give energy and quality minutes off the bench on a consistent basis.
Mark Williams had a nice impact offensively in limited minutes, but with the style of play of the opponent and Duke basketball’s deep and versatile roster, this season’s ancillary and second-unit players will probably see action based on match-ups and their own in-season progressions.
The limits of Duke basketball this season may be seen more on the offensive end than anywhere else. Only Hurt, Steward, and Johnson, to a lesser extent, seem capable of regular twenty point games given the opportunity.
The Blue Devils seem especially lethal in transition this year with the quickness and athleticism they have in the backcourt and on the wing. With so many players capable of initiating the offense, they should really focus on their defensive pressure and opportunities to go full-court or throw up interesting trap scenarios.
Duke basketball’s depth would also help them in these situations. Keeping Hurt on the floor and out of foul trouble so he can keep an offensive groove could prove to be a recurring and important issue as the season goes along.
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His polished offensive game will be needed; as will Baker’s outside shooting, Goldwire’s continued progression into an everyday player, and Moore’s ability to focus his game to his best strengths, if Duke basketball wants to end it like they want to every year, raising the next national title for Duke Nation.