Duke Basketball: 5 Takeaways from Duke's Opening Games

With two games in two nights over the November 14–16 weekend, Duke kicked off the season with a busy and exciting start. Though the Blue Devils faced two lesser opponents in Presbyterian and Fairfield, Duke fans have to be excited with what the team was able to do. Duke scored 100 points in back-to-back games for the first time since Kyrie Irving was playing games in blue, and the Devils showed their balance by doing it without having a 20-point scorer in either game.

All 10 scholarship players received significant playing time in both games, and they all showed why they are deserving of minutes throughout the season. Coach Mike Krzyzewski does not usually use a deep rotation, but it will be hard to shorten his bench if everyone continues to contribute and play within themselves and their roles on the team.

Duke is sure to hit a few bumps in the road this season, and the schedule starts to heat up Tuesday night against Michigan State in the Champions Classic. Even though the Blue Devils are unlikely to score as easily in every game as they have so far, a few trends have emerged that are likely to continue to define the team as the season progresses.

This Team Shares the Rock

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Last season Quinn Cook averaged 4.4 assists per game, accounting for 30 percent of the team’s total assists. In the first two games this year, he is dishing out a near identical 4.5 assists per game, but those account for just 17 percent of the team’s assists.

The coaches emphasized ball movement in the offseason, and so far the team has taken to it. The team has 52 total assists on 82 field goals so far after averaging just less than 15 assists per game last year. There is good reason to believe that Duke will continue this pace for the rest of the year.

Cook and Tyus Jones have started both regular season games together and have shown they can be productive while playing at the same time. Jones (12 assists in two games) has been the primary ball-handler, but Cook is also capable of pushing the ball up the floor and has done so effectively. With two willing distributors on the court, Duke should see plenty of good passing this year.

The rest of the team has also gotten in on the passing. Duke ran a lot of isolation for Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood last year, but no one on this year’s team will hold the ball for as long as those two. Rasheed Sulaimon has been attacking from the perimeter mainly to set up others, and Justise Winslow has shown a knack for either making a quick move or swinging the ball around.

With the ball flying all over the place, Duke has gotten plenty of open looks. The ball movement also makes it difficult to double-team Jahlil Okafor, who has feasted on opposing defenders when left one-on-one.

The players are playing for one another so far this year, and if that continues, they should see a plethora of easy shots in every game.

The Freshmen Are Who We Thought They Were

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Not only have all four freshmen played well so far, but they have all done it just as their high school scouting reports would suggest.

Players who dominate in high school often have to adjust their games in order to be effective at the next level, but so far Duke’s four first-year players have done it exactly as they have their whole lives. Here is a quick look at each player’s scouting report, courtesy of Rivals.com's Eric Bossi, and how they have lived up to it so far.

Jahlil Okafor 

"One of the most skilled and poised back to the basket centers to come along in some time. He establishes and holds positions, finishes with either hand and is a great rebounder. Okafor isn't a high flyer but fully understands how to use his skill and size advantage."

Okafor is shooting 85 percent so far and has shown a number of moves that lead to easy layups. His signature move so far is a short jumper that he somehow banks in despite being almost at the baseline. He has shown a very soft touch around the basket and great court vision for passing out of double-teams. His lack of athleticism has also shown up, as he has struggled a little on the glass, but his teammates have more than made up for his lone shortcoming so far.

Tyus Jones

"Heady floor general and a tough competitor. He runs the show and is in total control of what is happening while he has the ball. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and shoots with accuracy. Jones isn't the biggest or most explosive athlete but he has great body control and balance."

Jones has a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio so far. He has controlled the team and its pace, running when appropriate and slowing everyone down when the opposition gets back. He has also shown a sweet shooting stoke and is 3-of-7 from deep.

Justise Winslow 

One of the class of 2014's most versatile players. A big-time wing defender, Winslow also handles the ball very well and makes great decisions. He rebounds, finishes with athleticism and scores off the dribble. Biggest area to improve is his deep jump shooting."

Winslow is starting to get a lot of publicity for his play to open the season. The national media have not gotten a hold of him yet, but anyone who follows the program knows this guy is legit. He is doing a little bit of everything, playing aggressive defensively while always being in attack mode on offense. While he has been selective with his outside shots, Winslow has actually been a good shooter to start his career.

Grayson Allen

"Labeled as a shooter, which certainly fits given his range and willingness to pull the trigger on jumpers. However, pretty good with the ball in his hands as a ball-handler and passer. Will attack rim and is a springy one-foot leaper."

Allen has shown a versatile scoring repertoire so far, showing off both a sweet stroke and some smooth moves going to the hoop. While a lot of his scoring has come in garbage time, he is gaining valuable experience that will help him through this season and beyond.

The Upperclassmen Are Playing Their Part

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While Amile Jefferson was penciled in as the starter at power forward all offseason, Cook and Sulaimon had less clearly defined roles. The two never quite jelled with the stars last year, but they have fit in perfectly in the first two games this season.

Cook has been great in his role as a starting combo guard. He has been shooting very well while mixing in some good passing and continuing his career-long tradition of avoiding turnovers.

Sulaimon did not even take a shot against Fairfield, but he was attacking off the dribble and playing hard defense. Many will be worried about his scoreless performance due to his early-season slump last year, but Coach K has been singing his praises so far, and Sulaimon is unlikely to ride the pine for an entire game again. He will get plenty of opportunities to shoot the ball if he continues to do the right things in every aspect of the game.

Jefferson has been just as good as expected. He remains one of the best offensive rebounders in the country and is still a great finisher when given the opportunity. He even made a 15-foot jump shot against Fairfield’s two-three zone defense. If he can prove to be a consistent threat from mid-range, the Blue Devils will become even more of an offensive powerhouse than they already have been.

Duke Still Loves the Three

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Over the years, the Blue Devils have come to be defined by shooting the three. Duke often shoots its way to blowout victories, but when the shots don’t fall, the team has often struggled.

Having Okafor around means more shots in the paint, and with a strong penetrator in Winslow and a smart point guard in Jones, this seemed like it might have been the year when Duke goes away from shooting so many deep shots.

Through two games, Duke has attempted 53 three-pointers. The team has seven players capable of hitting from deep in Sulaimon, Cook, Allen, Winslow, Tyus Jones, Matt Jones and Semi Ojeleye. 

This season may be a best-of-both-worlds scenario with shooting for the Devils.

While Duke will still shoot plenty, it has the luxury of having Okafor to bail the offense out. If the shots go cold, the Devils can still score effectively by dumping the ball down low and watching him go to work. In addition, Okafor will draw double-teams that lead to easier looks, and the team’s quick passing ensures that the most open player will be the one who puts up the shot.

Marshall Plumlee Can Help

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Fact: Marshall Plumlee is statistically tied as the best three-point shooter in NCAA history.

While Plumlee’s end-of-game three against Presbyterian was a fun moment, he should finally entrench himself in the rotation in his redshirt junior year.

Duke got beaten up last year as it was the smaller team in almost every game. Plumlee showed some promise but was unable to regularly crack the rotation.

Coach K learned a lot from last year’s team and will likely have either Okafor or Plumlee on the court at all times this season. Okafor is due the lion’s share of the minutes, but Plumlee has shown he can spell Okafor effectively whenever “Jah” needs a rest or gets into foul trouble.

Plumlee knows his role on the team and is willing to bang around and use all his energy in short bursts when he sees the court. He is very strong and is starting to master the art of getting an offensive rebound and kicking to an open shooter, a Duke staple throughout the years.

Who knows—one day he may have the impact Brian Zoubek did!

If Plumlee continues to perform well into ACC play, Duke will always have a true center on the floor. The Devils will not have to worry about giving up as many easy layups or offensive rebounds as they did last season.