Will Pause Affect Duke’s Rhythm During ACC Play?

Duke men’s basketball team has had its last two basketball games postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak which Coach K says affected the whole team.

“It went through just about our whole team,” Krzyzewski said Monday. “So we’re not in the shape that we had been in before. So it’s going to take time to ramp up. Then we have to be careful in how you ramp up that you don’t binge conditioning so that you get injuries that would last far longer than just ramping up.”

Last week the CDC revised its isolation protocols for individuals who tested positive for Covid-19, changing the 10-day mandatory isolation period to five days.

The Blue Devils haven’t played since a 76-65 win over Virginia Tech December 22nd and heading into their matchup against Georgia Tech Tuesday one has to wonder how that time off will affect the number two ranked team in the country.

The Blue Devils played well together during the non-conference portion of their schedule with big wins over Gonzaga and Kentucky. Duke’s theme last year was not having the necessary time to practice together, mesh and learn each other’s game. Who does what well in certain situations? Who you play together when 2-2-1 pressing? Who you can depend on when you want to throw a half-court trap? Who can get a stop when the game is on the line, etc?

The second half of the Blue Devils’ win over Virginia Tech was vintage Duke basketball, as Coach K stated postgame. That type of defense and ball pressure in your first conference game plays a role in gathering rhythm. Yes, Duke may show rust, but as long as the Blue Devils stay focused on defense at all times, there should be little concern with the chemistry of this ball club.