Went with Dawkins. Plumlee and Kelly will be effective as long as they have a chance to play a lot. Dawkins seems to have locked down his PT at this point. Really the only deciding factor until we see them play an actual team instead of Boy Scout troop 44 from down the road.
I voted for Dawkins. After he had to sit there and draw a Nolan Smith naked, I figure he will do anything to get out of dook university, now that he realizes the Gomorrah he has gotten himself into. And since kids that transfer away from dook are mysteriously never heard from again, his only hope is to declare for the NBA draft next spring, and the only way he'll get drafted is to have a break out year. Again, I have supported my post with logic.
Dawkins, he'll play at least 25 min. a game while the other freshmen will be lucky to see 15. This isn't what I'm hoping for, but with recent history, Coach K doesn't like to play freshmen early but he will be forced to get Dawkins in there since there are only 3 guards to rotate through. Hopefully these kids will develop and mature and they can all get 20+ min. a game. I am so underwhelmed at the prospect of Zoubek and Thomas getting the bulk of the minutes in the post that it isn't even funny.
firepacker.your logic as can be expected is flawed.Most Duke players that transfer do it because of family reasons or playing time.Duke is one of the most conservative colleges in the nation while UNC has gay pride parades.To find the Gomorrah of college basketball you dont have to look any further than UNCs'campus.
Plumlee has the best chance to succeed because he's starting from the getgo. If he struggles a bit, there's really no one else who could do what' he's capable of doing. Dawkins and Kelly are behind the team's three best players. Their chances aren't as great.
This isn't even a question. Andre Dawkins. When you add a stud recruit at a position you lack depth at, it's pretty obvious who will play the most, and thus factor into the most games.
Mason Plumlee. He's looked good so far. He's athletic and hungry. Finally a good excuse to leave Zoubek on the bench. He's going to be a tough matchup for opposing big men with his speed, agility and footwork. I think he'll have the biggest impact of the 3 on a game by game basis. By midseason, outside people will stop considering our frontcourt a weakness thanks to Mason Plumlee.
I voted for Mason Plumlee because it's a logical choice, but I really want to see Ryan Kelly have a great year. With his height and skill set, he could really put a kink in the other team's gameplan. After he puts some weight on (and a lot of muscle mind you), he will be a very key link to Duke's sucess this year and next!
After Andre Dawkins performance last night, I couldn't vote for him today!!! His stat line was not very impressive to me. If any watched the game and saw differently, please let me know (I am just going by the numbers). Seeing as he shot only took 5 shots and 3 were from behind the line, it tells me that he wasn't being the aggressive slasher that Duke really needs. Especially since Nolan is going to miss two games at the beginning of the year now.
drewpavlacky, From what I've read, Dawkins seemed to very nervous. The game probably still seems fast for him. By December I believe Dawkins will be just fine.
Mason Plumlee, he really needs to have a big year to provide Thomas and Singler so help in the post. Zoubek is terrible, and Mason has more talent then his older brother, or Kelly, so working him into the line-up and trying to improve his game is vital to the success of the Blue Devils this season. As far as Coach K not liking to play freshman much, he needs to get over that because this class has a lot of potential and can really help supplement the returning Duke players. Dawkins needs to settle down a lot before Conference as his shots in the Findlay game were either rushed or showed lack of good shot selection. In time, Dawkins will be a solid player and he probably has the most potential of any of the freshman, but he also has a lot longer till he gets in sync. Mason will have the best year of the three, but look for Kelly and Dawkins to put in solid minutes too. Definitely not doubting their potential but I truly hope Mason can make a huge impact for Duke and get Zoo out of the lineup for all but a few minutes in a blowout game.
I disagree with the idea that Coach K does not like to play freshman. Paulus got a ton of time his freshman year, so did Duhon and several others. I would say instead that Coach K doen not like to play freshman who don't seem to be ready of fit with the group that is out there.
Good point, corey maggette is another example. I can see why coach k would feel this way as basketball at this level is based on team chemistry and how the 5 players on the court jive with each other. Thinking back to last season this was the case with elliot williams who never did fit in with the offense, and looked as though he was doing his own thing. It seems as though the current freshman class are jiving well with the duke style thru the first two scrimages and hopefully this chemistry will carry over into the season. Looking for big things from mason this year, dawkins will be solid as well, and kelly has a lot of potential and he should have a productive year. This class looks to make an immediate impact and with our solid returners improved as well, duke should have a great year.
