UConn vs Duke (Elite 8)

[Scrutineer]

The Jim Calhoun strategy against LSU and Shaq.

Not what I remember. Lyman doubled him a lot and we held him relatively in check with 27 for the game........😎 Won by 16!

As to Mashburn and Pearl, they remind me of Seth Davis. They talk like UConn is the Johnny come lately that snuck into the tournament a few times and got lucky. No big deal to beat MSU.

Mashburn with the Duke''s been the best team all year" and has had poor first halves and dominant second halves in this tournament and "I see them putting two halves together against UConn." Must bother him how UConn has dominated Kentucky.

Pearl is a real beauty. Mr. "SEC is the best" himself. Said Duke is much deeper than UConn. Obviously hasn't paid any attention to what Malachi has done in place of Silas and how much Ross and Reibe have meant to the team AND now Stewart is back.

Shills with an agenda....all of them.

 

[Hi-Low]

Get ready for cowardly Duke zone if we get the lead.

 

[Scrutineer]

And then they said that UConn relies so heavily on Reed and Karaban. I hate to tell them that Duke relies more heavily on 1 player. If the Huskies can slow down Boozer I like our chances.

Or do we do a replay on the Edey strategy and keep Evans, Foster and the others in check?

 

[JungleLobo]

And then they said that UConn relies so heavily on Reed and Karaban. I hate to tell them that Duke relies more heavily on 1 player. If the Huskies can slow down Boozer I like our chances.

Which Boozer?

 

[KingAG]

Do we employ the Zach Edey game plan against Boozer?

 

[HooperScooper]

Which Boozer?

Guess

 

[Scrutineer]

Foster obviously will play but I wonder if he will be more limited on Sunday.

Why do the experts talk so glowingly about Foster? His stats are underwhelming. Admittedly I haven't watched more than a few minutes of a couple of their games, so is he just the "glue guy"?

 

[JCisthegoat]

We have to beat them

 

[BFieldHusky]

Prepare for that zone. We will see it at some point.

 

[TheChamps990411]

And then they said that UConn relies so heavily on Reed and Karaban. I hate to tell them that Duke relies more heavily on 1 player. If the Huskies can slow down Boozer I like our chances.

I keep hearing about Boozer and Ngombo and how Reed and AK will have to "Find a way" to, whatever. Did these people not see us handle two of the better and biggest frontlines in the country in Illinois and Florida?!!! We also have Hurley who is a better coach than Scheyer who gets a chance now to prove how good he is. Can he hang with Hurley when it comes to the Xs and Os? We shall see.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Prepare for that zone. We will see it at some point.

St johns hit 14 3s and they are not as good a shooting team as this team even on a bad day. If at some point Duke has to pull out the zone it means the game is over. If StJ hit 14 we might hit 20.

 

[champs99and04]

Duke seems to have borrowed a lot of UConn's offensive concepts based on what I've seen. It's a lot of continuous motion with built in splits and slips while two man action concurrently occupies the weakside. It's made for a lot of easy layups on overplays and botched switches, since the wing defenders have to honor shooters on both sides. You'll see a lot of effective offensive design start initiated from the top of the key, because when the ball is in the middle of the floor you can pretty much get the ball anywhere on the floor in one pass.

They're not quite as committed to it as UConn, in large part because they have better creators off the bounce. Many of the sets from the pinch post eventually progress into side ball screens or inverted ball screens where Cam Boozer draws a switch. None of it is fun to guard because, as St. John's found out, you can defend all the wrinkles perfectly for 25 seconds and then still yield a bucket when Boozer or Evans hits a ridiculous shot.

But I think UConn matches up better than St. John's did for one reason: pace. UConn plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country, whereas the Johnnies just want to attack, attack, attack. St. John's did everything right; there was just too much game left when they took that nine point lead. It's easier to be down nine at that point in the game than it is to be up nine when you play their brand of ball. We saw it against Kansas as well.

Not only is UConn more structured than St. John's, but it's also much more disciplined. Duke hasn't really seen a team like that in this tournament, meaning you can choose to see them as one of two things:

1. A team that's proven its mettle having erased second half deficits in all three tournament wins.

2. A team that too often flirts with disaster that's eventually going to dig itself too deep a hole against the wrong team.

While I think Duke has better players and would probably win a series, we've seen spurts of immaturity creep into their game at various points throughout this tournament. I don't think they want to risk falling behind 9 points in the second half again, because against a team like UConn that can feel like 18.

If you put a gun to my head, I'm picking Duke. But I do see some parallels between the Wisconsin team that upended Kentucky in 2015 and this Huskies team. UConn is older and more experienced at pretty much every position, including coach. It also plays a distinct style at a deliberate pace.

I will say that I've been very impressed by Scheyer. He called timeouts both in the second half of this game and the TCU game that led to big Duke runs. They're definitely not going to go away if you can get them down.

 

[Scottobot]

Ok its time for Ball
and Mullins to both be on fire from 3 in same game
and
no team can stop
us when that happens

 

[formerlurker]

We have a chance. Go Huskies !

You would make a terrible cheerleader.

A more perfect response does not exist

 

[noelle]

i'd say the game plan would be to let boozer get his, and run the rest off the line. have to crash the boards for that strat though.

cam boozer has had trouble with length and strength, there's no reason to let him have his. tarris will show him something about nba strength.

also some of you need to realize tarris is pretty agile defending the post. strength and agility are not his issues

 

[That Guy]

This is a winnable game for obvious reasons (quick turnaround, Ngongba and Foster coming off injury) but they are obviously a good team.

If Ngongba is out, or off the bench, Reed/Karaban vs Boozer/Brown is a very interesting matchup. I can't see Brown defending Reed one-on-one at all, or Boozer chasing Karaban. Boozer is strong with a great base but Reed is a load for him in the post too. Karaban being chased by Brown would be interesting because it negates a lot of Brown's best feature if he has to stick with Karaban on the perimeter - help defense in the post. Karaban/Reed will need to box out on defense as Boozer/Brown do crash the boards really well.

That said, not sure how UConn defends Boozer. He is great at driving to the rim, carving space and getting a foul. And he is a decent shooter too. Reed needs to keep his feet on the floor and arms straight up when he challenges if he is on Boozer. Same with Karaban. He's a bit too quick for Reed and bit too big for Karaban. Stewart might be a decent matchup with how Stewart has defended bigger PFs/wings in the past, but not sure how healthy he is.

1-3 they are tall but they don't really have a dynamic guard that can attack the rim like some of the guards UConn has played this year. Sarr/Evans can slash but they are more straight line drivers (though Evans has a nice midrange and great head/shot-fakes). Boozer the smaller is a steady PG but not dynamic at all. I'd love him at UConn but as a backup.

Ngongba/Foster were on their bench against SJU. No clue how healthy they are, or if they might start against UConn. Khamenia is the other bench player. I think UConn matches up decently against their bench, either way.

It's going to come down to if Karaban/Reed can stay out of foul trouble and the guards can handle Duke's size/length on the perimeter. In a lot of ways they are kind of like Purdue with Edey except Boozer attacks from the top of the key more than post ups. They get a lot of open shots off Boozer's passing out of double teams and swing passes.

I think we should game plan how we did against that Purdue team. Let Boozer get his, stay out of foul trouble when guarding him, and then try to lock down everyone else and make the rest of their guys beat us.

 

[That Guy]

cam boozer has had trouble with length and strength, there's no reason to let him have his. tarris will show him something about nba strength.

also some of you need to realize tarris is pretty agile defending the post. strength and agility are not his issues

You know the whistle will be going Duke's way. We can't afford to get Tarris into foul trouble.

 

[JwittersPAC]

This is a winnable game for obvious reasons (quick turnaround, Ngongba and Foster coming off injury) but they are obviously a good team.

If Ngongba is out, or off the bench, Reed/Karaban vs Boozer/Brown is a very interesting matchup. I can't see Brown defending Reed one-on-one at all, or Boozer chasing Karaban. Boozer is strong with a great base but Reed is a load for him in the post too. Karaban being chased by Brown would be interesting because it negates a lot of Brown's best feature if he has to stick with Karaban on the perimeter - help defense in the post. Karaban/Reed will need to box out on defense as Boozer/Brown do crash the boards really well.

That said, not sure how UConn defends Boozer. He is great at driving to the rim, carving space and getting a foul. And he is a decent shooter too. Reed needs to keep his feet on the floor and arms straight up when he challenges if he is on Boozer. Same with Karaban. He's a bit too quick for Reed and bit too big for Karaban. Stewart might be a decent matchup with how Stewart has defended bigger PFs/wings in the past, but not sure how healthy he is.

1-3 they are tall but they don't really have a dynamic guard that can attack the rim like some of the guards UConn has played this year. Sarr/Evans can slash but they are more straight line drivers (though Evans has a nice midrange and great head/shot-fakes). Boozer the smaller is a steady PG but not dynamic at all. I'd love him at UConn but as a backup.

Ngongba/Foster were on their bench against SJU. No clue how healthy they are, or if they might start against UConn. Khamenia is the other bench player. I think UConn matches up decently against their bench, either way.

It's going to come down to if Karaban/Reed can stay out of foul trouble and the guards can handle Duke's size/length on the perimeter. In a lot of ways they are kind of like Purdue with Edey except Boozer attacks from the top of the key more than post ups. They get a lot of open shots off Boozer's passing out of double teams and swing passes.

Except guards for Duke are much better and multiple players can dribble drive to the basket. Duke is a very athletic team. UConn needs to shoot the three ball well to win and Reed cannot get into foul trouble.

 

[JwittersPAC]

Or do we do a replay on the Edey strategy and keep Evans, Foster and the others in check?

Good idea but Castle and Clingan are not playing on Sunday. The main edge UConn has is a great coach against a mediocre one. He will dial up the scheme that will give UConn their best chance to win.

 

[Lafayette]

Get ready for cowardly Duke zone if we get the lead.

3-2 zone is what they do but won’t work with our corner 3 guys and Alex or Tarris in the middle.

Evans is who we need to shut down. Boozer will get his. Ngomba is the only dude that fouling makes sense.

Foster looked winded vs the Johnnies and is not in elite 8 shape.

And we had the most efficient use of Stewart all year.

 

[SockCymbal]

Doomed

 

[Umami Zen]

This is the match up we wanted in the E8 game given the alternative (St J). Punch them in the mouth first and do our thing. We got this.

 

[cellocgg]

This UConn Duke game about to do numbers

 

[HuskyFich]

Keeping up with Karaban has been a big ask for teams this tourney. Duke again doesn’t have a great matchup for him.

Foster being hobbled is still a terror to deal with, and we will need Malachi to be smart on D without reaching or over extending.

We will need support from one of Ross/Stewart and Reibe will need to play the best 12-15 minutes of the season.

Boozer is most effective because he’s super polished and doesn’t make mistakes. Great passer, facilitator and has a mean mid post game. But, having seen how Hurley chose to defend Purdue and Edey in 24, I have no doubt we’ll throw some wrench into Scheyer’s gameplan.

Rest and recover boys. This is the battle of the war that will follow you for years to come.

Duck Fuke 🤘

 

[freshler40]

This is a winnable game for obvious reasons (quick turnaround, Ngongba and Foster coming off injury) but they are obviously a good team.

If Ngongba is out, or off the bench, Reed/Karaban vs Boozer/Brown is a very interesting matchup. I can't see Brown defending Reed one-on-one at all, or Boozer chasing Karaban. Boozer is strong with a great base but Reed is a load for him in the post too. Karaban being chased by Brown would be interesting because it negates a lot of Brown's best feature if he has to stick with Karaban on the perimeter - help defense in the post. Karaban/Reed will need to box out on defense as Boozer/Brown do crash the boards really well.

That said, not sure how UConn defends Boozer. He is great at driving to the rim, carving space and getting a foul. And he is a decent shooter too. Reed needs to keep his feet on the floor and arms straight up when he challenges if he is on Boozer. Same with Karaban. He's a bit too quick for Reed and bit too big for Karaban. Stewart might be a decent matchup with how Stewart has defended bigger PFs/wings in the past, but not sure how healthy he is.

1-3 they are tall but they don't really have a dynamic guard that can attack the rim like some of the guards UConn has played this year. Sarr/Evans can slash but they are more straight line drivers (though Evans has a nice midrange and great head/shot-fakes). Boozer the smaller is a steady PG but not dynamic at all. I'd love him at UConn but as a backup.

Ngongba/Foster were on their bench against SJU. No clue how healthy they are, or if they might start against UConn. Khamenia is the other bench player. I think UConn matches up decently against their bench, either way.

It's going to come down to if Karaban/Reed can stay out of foul trouble and the guards can handle Duke's size/length on the perimeter. In a lot of ways they are kind of like Purdue with Edey except Boozer attacks from the top of the key more than post ups. They get a lot of open shots off Boozer's passing out of double teams and swing passes.

The Duke center often clears out the opposing post (Reed) for the straight line drives of Boozer. If we double Boozer at the top of the Key before he goes downhill that might work some of the time. He does like to pass out of double teams. It will be hard to keep Boozer below 20 points.
Saint Johns did have a great several second quarter minutes of intense full court pressure that resulted in several steals for quick scores.

 

[Hoophound]

Just to prepare you, we can drill Duke by 20 and they are going to talk up AZ or Michigan or whoever. This team lost the analysts with some bad losses late in the season. They loved us before that. Now they can’t get their heads around us being good. We aren’t dealing with all the grabbing and holding OOC. Thats the difference. I’m fearful Duke may resort to it knowing that the refs will let them. That’s how you beat us. You cheat and get away with it.

 

[HuskyNan]

You know the whistle will be going Duke's way. We can't afford to get Tarris into foul trouble.

It’s actually 68-24

 

[Kowalski]

Mashburn is something else man, says Duke hasn't had a tournament game where they put 2 halves together and says it will happen against UConn, then says UConn should be nervous. He's had a bug up his ass about UConn all year on Turner's coverage, Hurley even chided him for it after the Villanova win.

I think Mashburn’s bothered by the fact that his old Kentucky blue blood program is barely relevant now, and that UConn has clearly supplanted them as the superior new blue blood over the last quarter century. So he’s pulling hard for the other old blue blood that’s at least still relevant in the tourney - Duke.

But it’s also trurethat Duke hasn’t put together two good halves in the tourney. So Duke barely escaping over 16 seed Siena is somehow a reason to pick Duke.

 

[ucp990411]

3-2 zone is what they do but won’t work with our corner 3 guys and Alex or Tarris in the middle.

Evans is who we need to shut down. Boozer will get his. Ngomba is the only dude that fouling makes sense.

Foster looked winded vs the Johnnies and is not in elite 8 shape.

And we had the most efficient use of Stewart all year.

The way they played the 3/2 zone they took away the option of having someone in the middle. Screen the middle guy and use the dribble to penetrate which will result in wide open corner 3’s

 

[QuickDraw]

Which Boozer?

C. Boozer 😁