UNCW/Duke NCAA game thread(man that feels good!)
UNCW has a tall task in front of them...literally. Although Plumlee isn't considered a marquee center in college hoops, he is an older graduate student, who is seven foot tall and weighs 260 lbs. He will be the biggest player we have faced all season, and IMO our biggest challenge today.
Duke plays mostly zone these days, so their big man is protected from a lot of direct challenges in the post on defense, which helps keep him out of foul trouble. But get him in foul trouble we must. The best way to do so is to get this into an up and down game, so Duke can't get set in their zone defense. Then force Plumlee to defend the basket on drives. Gettys may also have some chances in the post to get some fouls. If CJ can be effective at all today, our chances increase tremendously.
Ingram is a potential lottery pick, but at 6'9" he spends most of his time on the perimeter waiting for the 3 ball or looking to drive. His season high for points is 24, so he doesn't seem to be a threat to take over a game and go off scoring wise. Since UNCW will only play man, it is likely Flemmings will have the task of covering Ingram. I also expect Dylan Sherwood will see more PT this game to put some height on Ingram when Gettys is out. Sherwood is a saavy veteran who seems to have the ability to draw fouls on the charge. Let's see if he can get a few on Ingram.
Then there's Allen. He's easily their most aggressive player, who looks to drive to the bucket as much as possible where he can score, dish or draw fouls. As an 83% FT shooter, he is going to do damage today. He also hits threes as a .423 clip. He's 6'5", 205 lbs. CJ Bryce, who is a smart defender and is our biggest guard, will likely guard him at 6'5" as well.
So, who starts? Typically we start Gettys, Flemmings, Ingram, Ponder and Talley. I can't see any reason to change. We have to come out with our best offensive squad so we don't set ourselves up to fall behind early. I'm afraid Gettys will pick up 2 fouls really quickly, but that's okay. Bryan and Cacock have shown they can play tough in the post, and grab some rebounds with their strength and athleticism. Maybe Gettys can swat a few while he's in, just to cause some doubt in Duke when they drive.
Love my Seahawks', but i'd be a fool to call the upset. Yes, it can happen, but I give us about a 1-5 chance to take this. If Plumlee picks up his 2nd foul by the middle of the 1st. half, our odds increase to a 1-3 chance, if not, we're in trouble.
I'll be at Trask with my two girls who are skipping school....
(This post was last modified: 03-17-2016 05:22 AM by 82hawk.)
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UNCW/Duke NCAA game thread(man that feels good!)
