To be fair, Coach K has real concerns about playing during a pandemic that is getting worse. We were really disappointed at the end of last season that the NCAA tourney was cancelled...well, things are much worse than they were then. Jay Bilas was talking about it during the game. I am starting to believe that the season could end soon. I can't wait until things get back to normal, next year. I've been working from home and stuck in my house for the last 9 or 10 months.the Illini broke Duke’s spirit.
Duke men's basketball cancels rest of nonconference schedule
It looks like Duke will get no more warm-ups before its 20-game ACC gauntlet.www.dukechronicle.com
Illinois 83, Duke 68 Postgame
Funny how Coach K's "real concerns" were verbally expressed after his second straight non conference home loss.
Not trying to pound on Steward, but I see him getting recruited over at Duke.
sacraig
- The desert
the Illini broke Duke’s spirit.
Duke men's basketball cancels rest of nonconference schedule
It looks like Duke will get no more warm-ups before its 20-game ACC gauntlet.
This just reinforces that, awkward and suspect timing aside, Coach K's comments about concern for playing these games right now were real and not just whining after losing. Kudos to him on putting his money where his mouth is.
sacraig
- The desert
Were you watching the same game I was? He had a pretty good game when not much else was going right for Duke. I mean, he didn't do anything superhuman, but it was a solid effort on a tough night. I think he'll be fine.
billybaroo
- Pebble Beach, CA
Agree. He was 5 for 9 and 3 for 5 on his 3pt attempts. Certainly passed the eye test from my viewpoint.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
I get that all the coaches/entourage have tested negative in order to be at the games, but would like to see the Illini display exemplary discipline wrt masking. There's absolutely no reason for team managers and the like to be wearing masks around their chins. Too special a team; too volatile a season already as it is.
Poor writing and 8 year old article, but the list hasn't changed much yet: Illini in NBA (top 10)
I thought he is a good 2, just not a PG. Duke needs a Curbelo.
Agreed. He looked nothing like a 1, but looked to be a solid 2 that would probably be in school a few years. He didn't show anything "special", but as a freshman, he looked to be a really good player.
Compared to Adam Miller, Steward, in my opinion, looked to be a little more of a "scorer" where Ace seems to be a little more of a "shooter" right now.
5 turnovers in 21 minutes by Curbelo. I'm not sure that Duke should pull the plug on Steward just yet.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats asks if Mike Krzyzewski's questions about playing tied to losses
Alabama coach Nate Oats seemed to question Mike Krzyzewski's motives after the Duke coach called for a reassessment about playing college basketball during a pandemic, openly wondering whether the comments were triggered by a pair of losses for the No. 10 Blue Devils.
"Do you think if Coach K hadn't lost his two nonconference games at home that he would still be saying that?" Oats said at a news conference Thursday, adding, "We 100 percent should be playing basketball."
www.espn.com
Alabama coach Nate Oats seemed to question Mike Krzyzewski's motives after the Duke coach called for a reassessment about playing college basketball during a pandemic, openly wondering whether the comments were triggered by a pair of losses for the No. 10 Blue Devils.
"Do you think if Coach K hadn't lost his two nonconference games at home that he would still be saying that?" Oats said at a news conference Thursday, adding, "We 100 percent should be playing basketball."
Oats' query: Coach K's call to halt tied to losses?
Alabama's Nate Oats seemed to challenge Mike Krzyzewski's motives for questioning playing basketball during a pandemic, asking a reporter, "Do you think if Coach K hadn't lost his two nonconference games at home that he would still be saying that?"
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I don't think TOs really captures the issue (although certainly not good). Steward is less of a table setter and more a scoring combo guard. They have several well rounded playmakers that can make plays for themselves and for teammates (DJ, Johnson, Roach) but they don't have anybody whose role is breaking down the defense and finding open shooters/cutters -- most of those guys appear to be more comfortable getting their own shot rather than getting somebody else an even better shot.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
Not necessarily. Only if you believe his motive from the start. This is not going to get any better - so if he is calling off games now, he should call off all of December and January.
I get that each game is a risk and non-cons are outside of your league control, but its insulting to the non-con unless you can point to a real concern on their compliance. This smells more of a league giant picking and choosing the games they want to play ala OSU. If he didn't see the surge coming, then that's on him. If he sees it and then decides to readjust - then call off the season for a few months, not just the non-con you don't feel like playing. I'll believe he is looking out for his team when he calls off the first few conf games (and ensures he and his entire staff keep their masks on during the game). Right now, I am a skeptic.
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AirNeezy
Orange Krush '13 -'14
If this happens it'd be tough for the kid. I thought he played decent tbh.
But every time this happens to an instate kid it's good for Illinois, especially if we can keep this thing rolling.
I think any player that isn't a top 10 lottery pick type of guy has a risk of being "recruited over" at Duke. Duke is always going to be in play for top 20 players. You don't commit to a place like Duke without understanding that you will have to earn your minutes. The talent to be successful is on that roster. That team just doesn't seem to have an identity at the moment.
Also bear in mind that he didn't look great against Illinois, a top 10 team in the country. I could see U of I defense possibly having trouble covering big, skilled wings like Isaiah Livers or Ron Harper Jr. and big guys who can stretch the floor like Nate Reuvers or Garza, but not guys under 6'5". We have plenty of good options to hold down those types of players.
As a fan, I'll always be glad to "settle" for guys that have to stick around in college for a couple of years to get ready for the NBA. I want to get to watch them for more than a year. Thats a good part of the fun in it, in my opinion.
They only had one left.
Plus 2 more that were postponed earlier 3 total.
He wasn't going to play those anyway. The ACC season starts next week.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Ya don't say?
