DukeHoopsTalk

A place for my thoughts on Duke Blue Devils men's basketball. If you find what I say interesting, that’s awesome. If not, no problem. This won’t be a place for ragebait, personal attacks, or condescension. There’s enough of that already. I’m hoping to bring at least a little sanity back to social — thoughtful takes, honest reactions, and perspective. I’ve been a Duke fan since birth. I grew up on this program. I live and breathe it. I’m also a pretty critical Duke fan. I measure success in championships — not Final Fours, not Elite Eights, and certainly not regular season sweeps over UNC (though those are always welcome). That’s the standard when you follow a pre-eminent powerhouse that routinely produces NBA lottery talent. The highs and lows of this program are euphoric — and sometimes paralyzing. I remember bawling my eyes out and cursing Jay Williams when he missed that free throw in 2002 vs. Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball. I remember screaming from the nosebleeds when Grayson Allen had that put-back dunk in 2015 against Michigan State Spartans men's basketball. And I’ll never forget Caleb Love’s dagger in New Orleans. Ever. (F that guy, honestly). Love Duke or hate Duke, this is one of the defining programs in college basketball. If “not winning a championship” is what draws the jeers and heckles, your program is probably in a pretty good place. Just ask a Hoosiers or Bruins fan, or any of the other once-greats trying to get back. This account will celebrate the highs, dissect the losses, question the rotations, analyze the recruiting classes, and hold the standard where it belongs. Bring it. 🏀😈

@popftr @promoking29 @jakequery I love that! Glad to hear the degree has paid real world dividends. Can I ask what industry you are in?

@hoops96358 @promoking29 @jakequery Well, as an anecdote, my Duke network has gotten me almost every job. 🤷‍♂️ so, it’s been worth it

Cost of Attendance, per school, out of state undergrad: Hou $27,776 Pur $36, 182 IaSt $45,218 Iowa $47, 372 Neb $48, 032 Bama $50,458 Ark $53, 744 Tenn $56,170 UConn $63,210 MSU $65, 656 *SJU $65, 676 Ill $65,722 AZ $66,470 Tex $72, 682 Mich $84, 164 *Duke $94,217

Considering the regime change in Chapel Hill, I think it’s most relevant to examine UNC’s resume since Hubert took over. Not to mention, 5 years is not an insignificant sample size, especially if we are trying to determine ‘current’ program rankings. If you believe that UNC’s recruiting woes are justified over the last 5 years, and their lack of tournament success outside of their championship appearance in 2022 are up to par, then my hats off to you. Personally, my expectations (and hopes) for UNCs program would be far better recruiting classes, better NBA talent, and most importantly, more consistent deep runs in the tournament. I think they’ve fallen short, but that’s just one man’s opinion.

@hoops96358 @will_doran NIL started in 2021. It’s hard to pay recruits when you have 4, 5 with Trimble, holdovers year over year. Out of the list J Will provided UNC has the most title games apps last 10 Yrs. Kentucky better than UNC? Give me a break. Duke is holding on for dear life this tourney

UNC has made it to the national championship 3 times in the last decade. Nobody else can match that. Only two other schools have been twice. And Jay Williams’ school hasn’t been at all!

Not sure I follow. My argument is that 5 star recruits flame out all the time. In fact, I would argue they miss 50% of the time at all programs. If you average one five star recruit each year and they flame out at 50%….youre playing a very dangerous talent dearth game. If you can consistently bring in 2+ five stars, you give yourself a higher chance that at least one hits and can carry the squad. Does that point of view make sense?

@hoops96358 @goblinofthegrid @will_doran It’s so funny to see how you come to the conclusion that 1 five star a year isn’t enough. I’ll let you figure that one out

@bwilli71 @will_doran Your argument was that UNC brings in top recruiting classes and is consistently competing for titles. It just would appear that as of late that isn’t true.

@hoops96358 @will_doran Ah yes. You could argue they are the blue blood. Want to criticize Hubert? Ok that’s fine. But UNC is the blue blood. When you think of college basketball you think of UNC. Consistent top recruiting classes, consistent title contention, and top level NIL.

@bwilli71 @will_doran So having 2 or 3 roster holdovers is a reason not to recruit top talent each year? Do you think there’s any validity to the numbers I provided, or is it total nonsense?

@hoops96358 @will_doran Dude. The 21-24 teams had basically the same roster. They had guys like Caleb lover, bacot, leaky black, and RJ Davis who stuck around for 5 years. They kept their same players hence light recruiting. Imagine that they graduate and recruiting ranks increase. Funny.

@rummagingyomom @goblinofthegrid @will_doran Did you read the entire thread? You’ll see why I think one five star per recruiting class won’t suffice. Let me know if you have a differing opinion, and why!

401k doubled from $10 to $20!

For the UNC fans that are caught up in the 'top 5 brands' debate, the data from the past 5 years tells an ominous story. With that being said, it's only a matter of time until good basketball is back in Chapel Hill, but it's only fair to admit that the last 4+ years have not been up to snuff.

I also agree with your general UNC sentiment. The last 4+ years have been rough in Chapel Hill, but this too shall pass. Each university is always in a rush to pronounce the death of their sibling, but the irony is that neither can survive without the other. We need good basketball in Chapel Hill - just slightly worse than that played in Duke :)

@hoops96358 @will_doran UNC hasn’t been to standard since the natty and I think that’s fair to call out. But I’m also genuinely curious, will Duke fans call for more if Scheyer, say falls in the s16/e8? he’s done a great job, but that would be a few talented rosters with not much to show for them

@six8jay @jakequery I think colleges/universities do provide benefits, but the price has to be right. And right now, it simply is not.

@hoops96358 @jakequery That’s 95% of colleges

100000%. Personally, if it wasn't for Scheyer's youth, last year's inability to hang a banner was criminal, hard stop. I'm personally a part of the 'hang banners or leave' party, so if Jon can't get it done with on the recruiting front or on the coaching front, he'll need to find a new home. With that being said, I think he's shown EXTRAORDINARY promise and I do think he'll break through, but I'll be the first to roast his ass if he struggles to reach the penultimate goal.

@six8jay @jakequery Haha, we unite with a hatred of overpriced undergrad degrees :)

@hoops96358 @jakequery Followed

@Hoopsatduke I think UNC is the better opportunity for the primary reason that it's a circus in Chapel Hill and to restore it to national prominence would be a heroes welcome.

If Bill Self retires, that’s going to mess with the Carolina coaching search. Which job is better?

@Swt_Rvr_Halter @jakequery I'm with ya! Put it all on red instead😂

@hoops96358 @jakequery No School is worth that for undergrad

@promoking29 @jakequery Agreed, certain industries are way more likely to benefit from alumni networks. I guess my overall take (right or wrong) is that educational networks are generally oversold, while real world networks are the REAL connectivity engines.

@hoops96358 @jakequery My network didn’t get me my job but I’ve met people who I’ve ended giving a job through it. And I’ve invested in multiple opportunities because of it. While it’s fair that not all industries care, in some it matters. Consulting and finance to name a couple. Just depends

Re: hand picked stats, fair. I think my comment was more directed at the fact that we can generally select any time frame and any metric to prove an argument. As for UNC beating programs in the top 5, I think that certainly helps the argument for being in the top 5, but there's likely other factors to consider beyond single game performances.

@hoops96358 @will_doran “Hand picked stats” is a odd comment considering it’s natty appearances, not some random stat or something like acc championships. As for the 2026, id agree just looking at this current season maybe not but he puts teams that UNC beat in that same top 5

Carolina competes for championships. Generally the best talent wins championships, unless you have OUTSTANDING coaching, which is a rarity these days for any program. 1 five star recruit a year is NOT enough IMO, especially when 50% of five star recruits are absolute busts. Duke has recruited 17 5 star recruits since 2021. At best, 10 of the 17 are legitimate talents. Looking at UNC's 2024 starting 5, it would have taken a great coach to make a deep run in March. Nice pieces, but is this overwhelming talent? RJ Davis (4 star) - great college player Elliot Cadeau (5 star) - meh college player Ian Jackson (5 star) - meh college player Cade Tyson (Unrecruited out of HS?) - meh college player Ven-Allen Lubin (4 star) - meh college player

@hoops96358 @will_doran 6 five-stars isn’t enough for what? Being a ranked team? He’s coached 9 McDonald’s All-Americans and missed the tournament with three of them in the same STARTING 5. Last year we had four 5 stars, 3 of which he recruited, and we went to Dayton. Good luck with that narrative

@bwilli71 @will_doran Why are we still talking about Duke? The question is very simple, please do your best to answer the question below without using the word 'Duke': Do you think UNC is currently a top 5 program? Let’s use the start of the 2026 season as the definition of ‘current’.

@hoops96358 @will_doran No not really. I don’t even like UNC but this is an awful take. Blue bloods compete for titles. UNC has been in 3 nat title games the last decade. Duke 0. All because UNC got knocked out by VCU? Ahh VCU has knocked out Duke too. With one Jon Scheyer playing.

I do think brand name schools give you the benefit of the doubt and an initial leg up, but there is absolutely no replacement for hustle and results. My opinion is that the ‘network’ argument is WAY oversold for the Ivys and top tier schools. No Duke network connections got me my first job, or my second, etc. I’ve raised exactly zero dollars in tech fundraising from my Duke network. Of course, this is just my personal experience. People see brand name schools and assume ‘smart’. But beyond that, you’ve gotta earn your keep. The cream rises to the top.

@hoops96358 @jakequery The network is top notch and the name recognition opens doors that only similarly priced/named schools get you into. Over a lifetime that will 100% pay back in career and investment opportunities.