Duke basketball
Okay, so you've heard the rumors. You've seen the headlines. Duke basketball is in trouble. They're losing games, they're not playing well, and they're not living up to expectations.
But what's really going on? Why is Duke struggling? And what can they do to turn things around?
The injury bug
One of the biggest reasons for Duke's struggles this season has been injuries. They've lost their starting point guard, Tre Jones, to a shoulder injury. They've also lost their starting center, Marques Bolden, to a knee injury. And they've had a number of other players miss games with various injuries.
Execution, execution, execution
The point is: Duke has been missing key players, and it's hurt them. They've been forced to play guys out of position, and it's led to some sloppy play. They're not executing their offense or defense the way they should be, and it's costing them games.
Lack of leadership
Another problem for Duke this season has been a lack of leadership. With Jones and Bolden out, there's no one on the team who's really taken charge. They've got a lot of young players, and they're struggling to find their way.
What can Duke do to turn things around?
So what can Duke do to turn things around? Here are a few suggestions:
Get healthy
The first thing Duke needs to do is get healthy. They need to get their injured players back on the court. Jones and Bolden are two of their most important players, and they need them back in the lineup.
Execute better
Once they're healthy, Duke needs to start executing better. They need to play better together, and they need to make better decisions. They need to be more disciplined on both offense and defense.
Find some leadership
Duke also needs to find some leadership. They need someone who can step up and take charge. They need someone who can be a vocal leader, and they need someone who can lead by example.
Don't give up
Finally, Duke needs to remember that it's a long season. They've had a tough start, but they can still turn things around. They need to keep fighting, and they need to keep believing in themselves.
If they can do those things, then they have a chance to be a special team. They have the talent, they have the potential. They just need to put it all together.