It was a show of expertise and youth because the Blue Devils gained their season opener towards Coppin State by 10 on Saturday afternoon.
After watching a pair of freshmen lead his crew to the primary optimistic results of the yr, head coach Mike Krzyzewski met the media to debate his takeaways from the sport. Quickly after Jalen Johnson and Wendell Moore additionally offered suggestions on the sport whereas looking forward to the Michigan State contest on Tuesday.
Here is what they needed to say.
Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Opening Assertion:
“Juan [Dixon] had his crew very well ready and they’re outdated … they’re males. They jogged my memory loads of Stephen F. Austin from final yr. We confirmed how younger we have been right this moment. They sensed it. A few of these children are 4 years older than us they usually’ve been via it. They’re nice children and it was an opportunity for them they usually performed their butts off. They have been extra bodily than us and we had so many unforced turnovers. We had 22 turnovers they usually have been like ‘how did that happen?’. They performed good protection but it surely’s a containment protection so that you shouldn’t flip it over as a lot. For those who get 22 turnovers in a recreation and go 4-for-10 from the free throw line, it’s a recipe for catastrophe. Our rebounding was wonderful — we had 50 rebounds. Our two younger guards actually got here and helped us. There was loads of recreation stress on our crew right this moment. It’s such an uncommon environment and there’s no stress on the opposite crew. None. Particularly for a younger crew at house, there could be loads of recreation stress since you’re alleged to win. You’re alleged to win and win at house besides house isn’t prefer it has been. Clearly, Jeremy [Roach] helped along with his management and DJ [Steward] actually got here via. We actually put ourselves able, they usually [Coppin State] put us in that place too, the place there was an immense quantity of recreation stress down to 6 points. Throughout that point interval, some guys actually stepped ahead. DJ hit some large buckets, Matthew Damage hit an enormous three and though he had restricted minutes, [Jaemyn] Brakefield actually helped us. We have now rather a lot to do however give them credit score. They performed effectively they usually acquired to the free throw line. That’s one other factor you must regulate to in not having a recreation but or a scrimmage are the fouls. They’re contact fouls — you must maintain your arms off individuals. You’re probably not gaining a bonus as a result of your habits aren’t there but. It’s your first collegiate recreation and all of the sudden, [Anthony Tarke] backed you down. He’s 230, 6’6” and in case you don’t use your forearm and use your hand, it’s a foul. There’s a lot to be taught from.”
On DJ [Steward]’s potential to make key performs:
“We have a lot of confidence in him. He or Joey [Baker] could have started but we started our veterans today and started DJ in the second half. He’s a natural scorer. To come up with 24 points in your first pressure collegiate game, that’s a big time performance by that kid.”
On the significance of Jalen Johnson’s rebounding:
“In the last couple of scrimmages, he’s had high double-figure rebounds. He had 17 in our last scrimmage and he’s getting stronger with the ball. In congestion, he had seven turnovers. He goes 19 and 19 … that’s a heck of a first time performance for anybody but especially a freshman. We just have to be stronger with the ball. The biggest disappointment for me was the turnovers. The turnovers lent itself to not playing as well on the defensive end at times. Jalen did a heck of a job for us. We had two freshmen with 19 and 24 (total points from Johnson and Steward respectively). I can’t remember when we had a guy with 19 rebounds. He’s shown that in practice.”
On cleansing up turnovers:
“Obviously we work on it every day. It’s tough to explain some of those turnovers. You throw the ball across the half court and you throw it out of bounds. Why would you even be looking there? Or you leave your feet. I don’t know if there were some jitters. But again, they [Coppin State] played solid defense. In the history of me being here, he [Juan Dixon] is one of the greatest competitors we’ve ever faced and one of the great guys with his Maryland teams. They played with that toughness. We’ll work on it. You won’t win many games if you turn it over 22 times. We’re shooting over 50% from the floor and that’s 22 times you didn’t get a shot. And you gave them a run out in some of those. Overall, our defense was pretty good, but not on those run outs.”
On the season opener with no followers:
“It’s very difficult to explain because you can’t compare it to anything. It’s never happened…there’s not atmosphere so you have to provide the atmosphere with your enthusiasm and talk. We did not talk very well. I think once you start making a few mistakes, you draw within and you’re thinking about that. We have a bunch of guys who need to develop. We have good talent, but it’s not developed talent. A kid knows when they make mistakes that are crazy. It affects you because you’re like ‘Why am I doing that?’. You get within and without a crowd to pick you up, even if it’s an opposing crowd, you can get more within.”
On getting the submit gamers extra expertise:
“When you’re playing against five guards, they will take advantage of a big guy and that’s what they were doing right away. Mark [Williams] and Patrick [Tapé] will play and they are good players. [Coppin State] shot 35 threes … that was a game plan. If you don’t adjust and go small, they will have a better chance of beating you.”
On the play of Jalen Johnson right this moment:
“19 and 19. We wouldn’t win without him. He’s such a good passer. It’s his first collegiate game and if we don’t turn the ball over like we did today, we would be jumping up and down saying wow. But when you have 22 turnovers, you don’t want to jump because you might turn the ball over again even though the game is over.”
