The Devil's Den: A Duke Athletics Podcast

Josh and Raul are joined by friend of the pod David Becker to preview a big senior night matchup with UNC. Topics discussed include: Becker's takeaways on the season as a whole His biggest surprises and favorite moments from the season so far Caleb Foster as this year's Sion James The offensive blueprint for Dame Sarr The impact of Caleb Wilson's health on the matchup How both teams have changed since the previous meeting The need for Duke to win the backcourt battle If Isaiah Evans can have more of an impact in the rivalry than in previous games Cam Boozer's mentality going into the game Then they do a round of Becker's Best Bets, picking over/unders for point spread, total points, player props, etc. Lastly, they discuss their favorite Duke-UNC games in Cameron Indoor Stadium over the years. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Dustin react to Duke's 93-64 dismantling of NC State in Raleigh. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul give their immediate postgame thoughts on Duke's 77-51 trouncing of UVA to lock up the ACC regular season title. They also look ahead to Monday's matchup with NC State. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's 100-56 trouncing of Notre Dame before previewing Saturday's pivotal matchup with UVA. Topics include: Duke's ability to comfortably avoid a trap game The Duke Blue Planet video that showed Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr, and Maliq Brown coaching their teammates at halftime vs. Michigan Darren Harris's career high vs. Notre Dame The importance of Duke's perimeter defense to the team's overall defensive success Why Cam Boozer has locked up NPOY Whether Jon Scheyer can win ACC or National Coach of the Year Where this two-year stretch ranks among the most successful stretches in Duke Basketball history Then they deep dive into the numbers behind UVA's impressive 25-3 season. What makes them so successful at protecting the paint? Who on Duke will defend their excellent freshman guard, Chance Mallory? Who matches up with Thijs De Ridder? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul are back to break down more talking points from Duke's huge win over Michigan this weekend. Topics include: How Duke controlled key inflection points vs. Michigan The flawless offensive execution in the last 4 minutes of the game Whether this puts to bed the narrative that Duke can't close games The mental toughness of this roster Michigan fans' complaints about officiating Duke moving into #1 in the AP Poll The advantages to being the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament The most desirable 2-Seed for Duke to play Matchups to avoid Then they look ahead to Notre Dame on Tuesday. Is this a possible trap game? Are there any reasons for concern in this matchup? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Dustin give their immediate unfiltered thoughts on Duke's huge 68-63 win over #1 Michigan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's 101-64 evisceration of Syracuse on Big Monday. Topics discussed include: Where this performance rates in Duke's best performances of the year Duke's "killshot" to end the 1st half The team's absurd 2nd half offensive efficiency Isaiah Evans continuing his hot streak Whether it's time for Cayden Boozer to start Nikolas Khamenia's production off the bench What Cameron Boozer needs to do the rest of the way to lock up NPOY Then they turn their attention to Saturday's big matchup vs. Michigan. Many metrics have this game as a clash of the two best teams in the country. How can Duke slow Michigan's transition attack? Who should guard Elliot Cadeau? Can Duke find ways to pull Aday Mara out of the paint? How important will Isaiah Evans' 3pt shooting be in this matchup? Will Patrick Ngongba manage to avoid foul trouble? What are the implications of a win for each team? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's dominant 67-54 win over Clemson in Cameron. Topics discussed include: Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor being in attendance How Clemson's defense led Duke to take more 3pt shots than usual Why Cam Boozer hasn't been getting to the line as much as he had been Isaiah Evans as a counterpunch to the clogged paint Some new sets Duke is running for Evans Patrick Ngongba's return to the court Cayden Boozer as a pick-and-roll operator Where Jon Scheyer ranks as a defensive coach nationally Then they look ahead to Syracuse. Does the quick turnaround and looming Michigan matchup make this a potential trap game? Lastly, they briefly discuss NBA All-Star weekend, which saw several Duke players participate in various events. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Raul are joined by Brian Geisinger of 247Sports and the Buzz Beat Podcast to assess where Duke stands 12 games into conference play. Topics discussed include: A potential Pat Ngongba absence The importance of Ngongba to Duke on both ends of the court How Duke initiates offense through their trio of talented big men playmakers The way defenses have chosen to guard this attack Whether Duke might run more pick-and-roll with Caleb Foster or Cayden Boozer with Ngongba out Isaiah Evans' recent breakout game vs. Pitt How to get more consistency out of Evans The challenges Clemson might present for Duke in Cameron on Saturday Lastly, they delve into the Charlotte Hornets' current hot streak. What makes their starting lineup one of the best in the entire NBA? Why is Kon Knueppel the piece that unlocks it all? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Dustin react to Duke's 71-68 loss to UNC in Chapel Hill. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul are joined by John Watson of thedevilsden.com to react briefly to Duke's 67-49 win over Boston College and preview the big UNC matchup this weekend. Topics discussed include: Duke’s fast start vs. BC Second half offensive issues Why Scheyer still doesn’t get enough credit in Coach of the Year discussions Cam Boozer vs. Cooper Flagg The lineup changes that have led to UNC's improved play Frontcourt matchups X factors that could lead to a Duke win Predictions Some NBA trade deadline talk To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's businesslike 72-58 win over Virginia Tech. Topics discussed include: Inclement weather in Blacksburg Changes to the starting lineup due to illness Caleb Foster's "flu game" Isaiah Evans' recent struggles shooting the three Maliq Brown's deflections and hustle plays The frontcourt outshooting the backcourt from the perimeter Cayden Boozer's touch in the paint Cam Boozer's passing and footwork They also touch on big performances in the NBA from Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg as the Hornets edged out the Mavericks a few nights earlier. Lastly, they preview Duke's Tuesday home game against Boston College. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's 83-52 destruction of Louisville in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Topics discussed include: How after being down 25-24, Duke was able to outscore Louisville 59-27 the rest of the way The run to end the 1st half and start the 2nd half Best player comps for Patrick Ngongba Cameron Boozer's underrated craftiness on his drives Isaiah Evans diversifying his game Nikolas Khamenia's breakout second half Louisville being unable to match Duke's physicality Then they turn their attention to the game on the road at Virginia Tech. Blacksburg has traditionally been a tough place to play for Duke. Will that be the case this year or will Duke continue its recent stellar play? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's workmanlike 90-69 win over Wake Forest. Topics discussed include: A strong crowd despite inclement weather How Wake forced Duke into another slow start The 13-0 first half run that won the game Dame Sarr's first half defensive impact on Juke Harris Duke's domination in the paint and on the glass Wake's hot 3pt shooting Duke being able to hold onto the lead despite significant foul trouble Solid games from both lead guards Maliq Brown as a high post facilitator Cam Boozer's unprecedented consistency Then they look ahead to Duke's rematch with Louisville. How much will Mikel Brown change the look of this matchup? If Sarr guards Brown, who guards Conwell? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Raul are joined by Evan Miyakawa of evanmiya.com to delve into what his proprietary metrics can tell us about Duke Basketball and the college basketball landscape as a whole. Topics discussed include: The increasing embrace of analytics by college basketball coaches How to balance analytics with the eye test The value of analytics in portal scouting and roster construction Duke-specific lineup data How Jon Scheyer has been able to construct teams that maximize his star players The widening gap between the top teams in college basketball and the rest of the field The difficulty of developing stats to measure defense The stat most predictive of team success in March Whether it's easier or harder to win a championship in this current top-heavy era Evan's new podcast, The EvanMiya College Basketball Show To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul are joined by Jordan Mann of Sleepers Media and the Big J and Little J show to discuss Duke's dominant 80-50 win over Stanford. Topics discussed include: Duke rediscovering its defensive identity on the West Coast How Dame Sarr impacts the team defense Whether Cam Boozer is under-appreciated nationally Isaiah Evans playing at an All-ACC level How Jon Scheyer's offense does the simple things well The ability of this Duke team to win playing multiple different styles Duke's status as a possible 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament They also revel in UNC's recent struggles and dissect why their defense has been so porous in ACC play. Then they turn their attention to this Saturday's upcoming Wake Forest game. Who will guard Juke Harris and how can Duke limit the tough shotmaking of Nate Calmese? You can find Jordan's full-game breakdowns on YouTube at youtube.com/@JMann_ and follow him on Twitter under @JMannsTakes. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's 71-56 win over the Cal Golden Bears. Topics discussed include: The return of Duke's defensive identity Cam Boozer's steady consistency Duke's 13-0 run to close the 1st half Isaiah Evans' best defensive performance The increased production in recent games from the wing rotation The team's struggles from the FT line Darren Harris's place in the rotation going forward Whether this team has been under-appreciated both by the media and the fanbase Then they look ahead to a tough test against Stanford. How can Duke contain Ebuka Okorie? Can Duke defend him without fouling? Will Chisom Okpara play? Will Duke's bigs be able to feast in the paint? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to Duke's 82-75 win over SMU. Topics discussed include: Duke honoring the 2001 team Dustin's impressions from press row Another slow start Boopie Miller being ruled out for SMU at the last moment and how that may have thrown off Duke's game plan More defensive struggles Cam Boozer's difficulty with his individual defensive assignment, Jaden Toombs Caleb Foster's disappointing performance after a strong showing vs. Louisville Dame Sarr's huge defensive impact Sarr's improved offensive decision making Other standout performances including Nik Khamenia, Cayden Boozer, and Pat Ngongba Isaiah Evans' emergence as a consistent 2nd scorer Why this game is actually encouraging despite the score being closer than expected To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Dustin give their immediate post-game reaction to Duke's impressive 84-73 win over Louisville. They talk about Louisville's early hot shooting, Duke's halftime adjustments, big performances from Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, and Cam Boozer, and how Duke's defense held Louisville to a season-low 26 points in the second half. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh, Dustin, and Raul react to two close wins over Georgia Tech and Florida State. After starting the season as a top 5 defensive unit, Duke has seen significant defensive slippage over the last four games. What are the causes of this and how can they right the ship? The crew also talks about Cayden Boozer's recent increase in minutes, Isaiah Evans improved play, and how to get more from some of the other wing players. What lineups will give Duke the best balance between offense and defense? Lastly, they preview a tough matchup on the road vs. a ranked Louisville team. Will Duke be able to keep Louisville out of transition and limit their 3pt volume? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices