NEW YORK — It's rare that a team’s fans and its coach reach the same conclusion about a change in strategy.
Coaches attend practice every day.
Fans do not.
A coach might know that the backup quarterback can't tell the difference between a cover-two and a covered wagon.
Many fans don't understand the cover-two either, and coaches don't always appreciate getting ideas from those fans.
One reporter's suggestion that North Carolina's Roy Williams should have used a full-court press more against N.C. State was met with a typical coach’s frustration (the Tar Heels "stink" in full-court pressure) plus some extra colorful language that had him apologizing afterward.
That's what makes Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's adjustment Thursday night so unusual. If Krzyzewski has been getting the same type of communication that enters my e-mail inbox, the message from fans was clear from fans frustrated with four losses in a six-game period.
They wanted to see more of freshmen Elliot Williams and Miles Plumlee. And that's what they got in No. 9-ranked Duke's 76-69 defeat of St. John's at Madison Square Garden.
Williams started on the wing and scored 11 points in 31 minutes. Plumlee played seven minutes off the bench.
"I thought our two freshmen really gave us a huge boost," Krzyzewski said. "Elliot was inserted in the starting lineup, and his ball pressure was outstanding and he came up with 11 points. Plumlee had four points and two blocks and came up with a really big play to keep a double-digit lead for us when he stole that ball under our bucket and put it in."
It was as though Krzyzewski had discovered an unexpected gift in practice this week. Williams seems poised to keep his starting spot and play a significant role with five regular season games remaining.
Plumlee's role will be more limited, especially when senior forward Dave McClure returns from illness. McClure spent Thursday night back at the team hotel with flu-like symptoms.
But Krzyzewski said he had found two good things, so it seems as though Plumlee will continue to provide depth that Duke needs in the post as 7-foot-1 Brian Zoubek's role is diminishing.
Starting with Sunday's home game against No. 8 Wake Forest, Williams, Plumlee and the rest of the Blue Devils (21-5) will face bigger challenges than St. John's (12-14), which hasn’t been a relevant part of the New York sports scene in almost 10 years.
Still, it looks like Duke fans who have been on the bandwagon for the two freshmen can pat themselves on the back. Turns out they knew what they were talking about.
Comments
Big Deal
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 16:19 — NoNewGunControlHEY...They were playing St. John's for Pete's sake. I heard the same drivel about the new-found genius strategy of Sidney Lowe a few games ago, which would turn this season around...... until State ran into ...... UNC. (The same UNC team who can't even pull off a successful double team or full court press, and who supposedly can't play defense) I doubt Duke will see a team as weak as St. John's in the NCAA tournament. Let me know how this miracle strategy thing works out in March.
New Strategy
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 11:40 — keefdemIt's about time! Why haven't the freshmen, especially those 2, been playing all along?!? For the last few years, we've been watching Duke look like a legitimate contender for the national title in games prior to February, then watch as they crumble in games thereafter, culminating with a March collapse! Why purchase a new car (recruit a kid) and not drive it (not play him)?!? Sure Williams appears limited (at this time) offensively, but he's 6'4" with long arms and decent quickness. He may not have shut down Ty Lawson, but I bet he could have stopped some of his lane penetrations and forced him to shoot over a bigger defender. Plumlee is another big body (who appears to have some skill) that can bang with the Bookers/Hansbroughs/Johnsons in the ACC. Other suggestions: mix the defense (zones can be your friend!), get rid of the St. Johns/non-conference game this late in the season (rested legs make for more accurate 3s), bring Tim O'Toole back (to work with post men), get rid of or re-assign Wojo or Collins, and bring back David Henderson. This team lacks intensity, leadership, unity, effort, desire, and passion.