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da kanon » 21/03/2009, 13:43
puntualissima analisi che ho trovato su un forum di tifosi dei Blue Devils su come affrontare la partita del secondo turno di stasera contro Texas
Deny, Deny, Deny
A.J. Abrams is the key to so much of what Texas does. And he loves to work off the ball, run off screens, catch and shoot. We happen to have a player who has specialized in denial defense off the ball for three years. But do you put Jon Scheyer on a waterbug like Abrams, force him to chase the guy all over the court and then also ask him to run the team and be a major scorer at the other end? If not, who is up to the task? Elliot Williams? Maybe -- he's long and quick, but not always disciplined and tends to foul too often. Nolan Smith? Also long and quick, but better on the ball than off it, with the same fouling problem as Williams. Dave McClure? I've seen stranger things. We'll probably end up rotating, but it is critical that we keep the ball out of Abrams' hands as much as possible and if he catches, that we force him to put the ball on the floor and attack inside the arc.
Zoubek -- Be Ready
This is a Brian game. Sometimes, he won't play at all. But against teams with a legit big, Zoubs has been asked to contribute recently. Dexter Pittman has been playing very, very well lately -- he's averaging 16.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg over his last seven contests. We'll need Zoub to use his size -- in spurts -- to limit him.
Attack ... Selectively
Duke needs to get to the rim. We have good finishers, we're good on the offensive boards and we need to get to the line. But Texas has some pretty good shot-blockers in Pittman, Connor Atchley, Damion James and Connor Atchley. So, our guys need to drive with a purpose (I'm looking at you, Elliot), creating proper angles and taking it into the chest of the shot-blocker. If Kyle and G, in particular, can get things going inside early, or earn some trips to the line, it'll really help open things up.
Push The Ball When The Opportunity is There ... Especially When Pittman Is In The Game
Texas has plenty of quick, athletic players -- Abrams, James, Mason, etc. -- but they don't play particularly fast. The Longhorns' adjusted tempo of 66.2 is slightly below average. I've talked all season about getting easy baskets -- Duke needs them tomorrow. And what's a better way to deal with Pittman than to make him run? Texas has plenty of depth inside with Pittman, Atchley and Johnson, a former Duke recruit. But let's make them use it.
Don't Settle
Duke has taken care of the ball very, very well lately, and Texas doesn't force a lot of turnovers. Let's hope this isn't the game where both trends go in a different direction. Assuming both teams play their typical styles, then, Duke's going to get looks. The key is to work for better ones. That means Elliot can't jab, jab, jab and then drive into the teeth of the D. It means Kyle can't shoot step-back jumpers with 20 seconds left on the shot clock. It means G has to remain in control, because he can always get off a decent jumper with the shot clock winding down. Texas wants to make you work? Fine, then work Duke shall. Make the extra pass. Set the extra screen. Get good shots.
Force The Non-Shooters To Be Shooters
If we're going to deny Mason (and probably switch on screens) and perhaps help on Pittman and James, that means sacrificing somewhere else. Justin Mason has hit seven threes this year. Dogus Balbay has hit one. Varez Ward has hit two. It's not Duke's style to play off anyone on the perimeter. But in this case, it's worth daring those guys to beat us with jumpers to help on their main scorers.
Remember Who You Are, And What You've Done So Far
Duke's main players don't have much experience with winning in March. The ACC Tourney was a great step in the right direction. The Binghamton game was another step forward -- we took care of buisness and won going away. But there still has to be some lingering doubts about not having moved past the first weekend of the Tourney for a junior-led squad.
This team has been different all year. It's tougher, more experienced and just better. Duke has terrific players and is an ever better team. So the guys need to go out with that kind of confidence, play with an edge and not let anything -- Texas, a Carolina crowd, a deficit, questionable calls, a rabid animal on the loose -- distract from that belief. You're good, Duke. You're really, really good. Go out there, play your game, and win.
Go Duke!
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, sarò all'estero..mi auguro di trovarvi così :ciucco:Â
:first: e non cosìÂ
..
:ciucco:Â 
