Before delving deeper, it’s important to note that Duke is the leading contender for the National Championship. They possess all the necessary components to achieve this goal. However, there are a few factors that could hinder their success:
1) Cramps/Injuries
You may have heard this before: a crucial Duke player experienced cramps during a high-stakes game. Whether it’s RJ Barrett, Paolo Banchero, Jeremy Roach, Cooper Flagg, or now Khaman Maluach, this issue persists. Fortunately, it can be addressed through proper hydration and supplementation. Given Duke’s exceptional talent and resources, this shouldn’t remain a recurring problem.
Additionally, Duke has a history of players facing health issues in critical moments. Recently, Sion James suffered what seemed to be a stinger after battling through a screen, causing him to miss a significant portion of the second half—a loss that really impacted Duke. We hope he recovers quickly.
2) Endurance
This aspect is somewhat unexpected. Despite having a deep roster, Duke opted to play only eight players last night. Notably, the players appeared to tire about 30 minutes into the game. Caleb Foster struggled with numerous shots, and there was a notable lack of activity late in the game, contributing to issues on the defensive boards—cramping also played a part.
3) Clutch Time Uncertainty
Duke dominated much of the game and responded to several Kentucky rallies but struggled to close them out. When Kentucky made a significant comeback to tie the game late, Duke couldn’t respond effectively. Any Blue Devils supporter would likely have felt confident with Flagg holding the ball in a tied game with under 30 seconds remaining, but it didn’t play out as hoped. In the final 10 minutes, Duke’s offense seemed to revolve around isolating Flagg at the top of the key, working to beat his defender—though he is a standout player, this is still an area for growth. For Boston Celtics fans, the situation resembled isolating Tatum in crucial moments. With so much offensive talent available, relying solely on Flagg to create his shot is not ideal. Moreover, Kon Knueppel and Foster struggled with their shooting, which left Coach Scheyer with limited options.
With any young, deep team, navigating clutch scenarios is a challenging ongoing process. Fortunately for the Blue Devils, these lessons came in early November rather than in March. However, Scheyer must ensure that the team’s offense remains dynamic in high-pressure situations. While individual talent matters, players must also be positioned effectively for that to matter.
To Panic or Not? Duke Blue Devils Edition
Duke’s objectives and the route to achieving them are clear. They have a youthful coach, young stars, and a newly assembled team, all of which require time to gel.
Moreover, Duke recorded an unusually poor performance, shooting below 20% from three-point range, which is unlikely to happen again given the wide-open opportunities they had. They faced numerous challenges yet still nearly secured a win against a strong opponent.
Lastly, Flagg’s reputation as a superstar is widely discussed. While there has been chatter and jokes following his clutch performance last night, it’s important not to underestimate him. At just 17 years old, he delivered an impressive game overall. This experience could serve as a springboard for future growth, much like RJ Barrett’s struggles in Maui against Gonzaga, after which his team went on an extended winning streak, and he earned All-American honors. Hold on tight, Blue Devils fans!
