How many of those "good players" would you have started at UK this year? I agree that true road games are valuable, but I believe kids also like the idea of playing in Chicago and the New York Metro area just to name a couple. I think Cal recognizes this as well with his proposed neutral game sites...at least I hope so. I think it helps. You get enough tough road games in conference. There are a lot of teams that have good coaches and good players and sadly don't match up to what Duke has been able to accomplish.

 

That's not the point. The point is Coach K brings in players that buy into his system, are satisfied with their role, and do what is required of them to win the game. No, going individually, you could say that anyone might have the 5 best players in the country...but the last time I checked, it's still a team sport. And unless the majority, if not all, of those players are "on the same page"...results are not guaranteed.

That's not the point. The point is Coach K brings in players that buy into his system, are satisfied with their role, and do what is required of them to win the game. No, going individually, you could say that anyone might have the 5 best players in the country...but the last time I checked, it's still a team sport. And unless the majority, if not all, of those players are "on the same page"...results are not guaranteed.

 

So, in a way, Coach K has it figured out. That is all I was saying. Whatever he is doing seems to be working in the grand scheme of things. I know my original post made it seem as if I was only talking about the neutral game thing, but it is more than that. It is like Tubby and Knight in a way, just not that extreme. He recruits a certain type of kid and wins with them. Keep in mind, that was no way a knock on UK or Cal, I was just making a comparison.

Just to throw this in as well.....another coincidence in the neutral site games is indeed the location of the neutral site games. Last year Duke played in Chicago, hometown to Jon Scheyer and in the NIT(made it to Madison Square Garden) and if I am not mistaken Zoubek and Lance Thomas are from New Jersey. I believe that Duke will travel to Oregon this year to take on the Ducks, home state of Kyle Singler and the Butler game will be in New Jersey, home state of Kyrie Irving. Funny how sometimes the neutral site games are in areas close to Duke players hometown/home states. Coincidence?

Just to throw this in as well.....another coincidence in the neutral site games is indeed the location of the neutral site games. Last year Duke played in Chicago, hometown to Jon Scheyer and in the NIT(made it to Madison Square Garden) and if I am not mistaken Zoubek and Lance Thomas are from New Jersey. I believe that Duke will travel to Oregon this year to take on the Ducks, home state of Kyle Singler and the Butler game will be in New Jersey, home state of Kyrie Irving. Funny how sometimes the neutral site games are in areas close to Duke players hometown/home states. Coincidence?

My guess is that it's not. There have been coaches in the past that like to take their players close to home to play.

Just to throw this in as well.....another coincidence in the neutral site games is indeed the location of the neutral site games. Last year Duke played in Chicago, hometown to Jon Scheyer and in the NIT(made it to Madison Square Garden) and if I am not mistaken Zoubek and Lance Thomas are from New Jersey. I believe that Duke will travel to Oregon this year to take on the Ducks, home state of Kyle Singler and the Butler game will be in New Jersey, home state of Kyrie Irving. Funny how sometimes the neutral site games are in areas close to Duke players hometown/home states. Coincidence?

 

Nope. Coach K has stated that if you stay all four years or close to it, they try and schedule an away/neutral site game near that player's hometown. Pretty cool I think.

Funny how sometimes the neutral site games are in areas close to Duke players hometown/home states. Coincidence?

 

No coincidence at all. In fact, I think it's a really nice gesture on the part of Coach K, something I've wished for years that UK would do. Plus, by doing that it has a tendency to send you to areas that aren't normal for your program, thus giving you a chance to play a "different" team in a "different" area.

Just to throw this in as well.....another coincidence in the neutral site games is indeed the location of the neutral site games. Last year Duke played in Chicago, hometown to Jon Scheyer and in the NIT(made it to Madison Square Garden) and if I am not mistaken Zoubek and Lance Thomas are from New Jersey. I believe that Duke will travel to Oregon this year to take on the Ducks, home state of Kyle Singler and the Butler game will be in New Jersey, home state of Kyrie Irving. Funny how sometimes the neutral site games are in areas close to Duke players hometown/home states. Coincidence?

 

Not to mention, there are some awesome ball players in those areas...so he gets local pub while there. Guys, there is more to than the Duke haters want to believe IMO. How many years does a top 50 recruit come out of NJ/NY? So, while he takes the kids "home" to play, the next round of superstars get to see it. Neutral site games are as much about building a fan base and recruiting as they are anything else. I'm glad we play in Louisville every year...:confused: I understood it years ago, I just think it is a little tired now.