Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

Let's take a quick look at the likely 2013-14 Duke Blue Devils squad. Coach K hauled in the nations 2nd best recruiting class, with three 5-star, top25 players.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

PG: Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton.
SG: Rasheed Sulaimon, Matt Jones, Andre Dawkins(?).
SF: Rodney Hood, Alex Murphy, Semi Ojeleye.
PF: Jabari Parker, Amile Jefferson.
C: Marshall Plumlee, Josh Hairston.

I have Hairston as the backup Center because we've seen him play there this season. He is severely undersized, but savvy and strong defensively. Amile will need to put on weight to back up MP3, but that's also a possibility with him being 6'8". Jabari Parker would be another candidate to give minutes at Center and stretch the court to a nearly un-guardable level.

One interesting lineup would be Cook, Sulaimon, Hood, Jefferson, Parker. There's no true Center, but there's three 6'8" guys, two of which can shoot the 3ball.

The 2013-14 team is going to be freakishly athletic, maybe the most athletic team Coach K has ever had. Not looking past this season, because I think it could be special, but there's no denying the sheer talent on the 2013-14 edition of the Blue Devils.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

+2014

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

I too have had an eye on next year's team. I see us losing some height and experience. But, adding some serious talent and athleticism. Another good shooting Duke squad with unlimited potential. Can't ask for much more than that.

MP3 will need to really improve to get on the court with Jabari and Josh. Jabari is instant offense. I have seen Hood play in person and met him. He is similar in playing style as Jefferson, but more polished and has a year of D-1 experiance under his belt. Much like Curry, he is enjoying a year of practicing against a National Championship caliber team before suiting up for real games. As for Matt Jones, all I keep hearing and reading is that this kid shoots like Redick. That will further stretch the defense for Cook/Sulaimon/Hood/Jefferson/Parker....whoever is in with him. Main question is how the new guys will play defense....which is typically what dictates playing time in K's rotation.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

I'd keep an eye on next year's team too, if I was facing yet another NCAA FLAMEOUT here in the next few weeks to a shockingly lower seeded team, like last year.

(More like 7 of the past 8 seasons.)

Good plan!

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

I'd keep an eye on next year's team too, if I was facing yet another NCAA FLAMEOUT here in the next few weeks to a shockingly lower seeded team, like last year.

(More like 7 of the past 8 seasons.)

Good plan!
- Posted by Lux Libertas

Flaming out is better than not making the tourney...like UNC twice in the last 10 years.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

is the polish midget still going to coach the big men? LOL!

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

My starting 5:

PG - Quinn Cook
SG - SHEEEEEED!
SF- Rodney Hood
PF- Jefferson
PF- Jabari Parker

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

PG: Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton.
SG: Rasheed Sulaimon, Matt Jones, Andre Dawkins(?).
SF: Rodney Hood, Alex Murphy, Semi Ojeleye.
PF: Jabari Parker, Amile Jefferson.
C: Marshall Plumlee, Josh Hairston.

I have Hairston as the backup Center because we've seen him play there this season. He is severely undersized, but savvy and strong defensively. Amile will need to put on weight to back up MP3, but that's also a possibility with him being 6'8". Jabari Parker would be another candidate to give minutes at Center and stretch the court to a nearly un-guardable level.

One interesting lineup would be Cook, Sulaimon, Hood, Jefferson, Parker. There's no true Center, but there's three 6'8" guys, two of which can shoot the 3ball.

The 2013-14 team is going to be freakishly athletic, maybe the most athletic team Coach K has ever had. Not looking past this season, because I think it could be special, but there's no denying the sheer talent on the 2013-14 edition of the Blue Devils.
- Posted by BlueDevils00

The interesting lineup you stated, will be out most productive one. Will have to go small and stretch the floor until Plumlee can show he is worth putting out there for extended minutes.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

is the polish midget still going to coach the big men? LOL!
- Posted by teflon2ncaa

You mean the one who has been coaching Mason Plumlee? The leading POY candidate nationally? Yes. He will.

RE: Early Look at the 2013-14 Duke Squad

I'd keep an eye on next year's team too, if I was facing yet another NCAA FLAMEOUT here in the next few weeks to a shockingly lower seeded team, like last year.

(More like 7 of the past 8 seasons.)

Good plan!
- Posted by Lux Libertas

...the obsession continues for "licks me liberally." What an inferiority complex you have. Go see mommy, she'll make it all better.......

WRAL Sports Fan