Paulus is average six points, less than two rebounds and assists per game and is shooting 37 percent from the field.
Coach K said he needs leadership on the floor. He needs a tough guy. Duke always wants to claim it’s the mecca of in-game toughness. Smack that maple, son!
So, Greg Paulus, welcome back to the starting lineup. At least for tonight. What does it say of Duke if it needs this shot in the arm before playing its biggest rival?
Paulus hasn’t been the complete success many thought he would be, but can we be real? He was a stud football recruit five years ago. I’d say he’s played up to his potential on the floor. He was never anticipated to be another Bobby Hurley.
The senior got his second start of the season against Miami last weekend, which he took as an opportunity to score 18 points and help Duke to a 3-point win. Sophomore Nolan Smith is better off the bench? We’ll see tonight. How often will both be on the floor? Seems to me whenever Paulus isn’t playing the point, he easily gets lost in the offense.
I understand why K is doing this. It’s an extremely big game (truthfully, even though it’s a home one, he’s probably hoping it’s at least competitive with four minutes to go) and he wants an experienced player with the ball.
But will the move be permanent? And is that a good thing? Probably not. Duke has been a March underachiever for all of Paulus’ career. And while that disappointment doesn’t fall on the fiesty, fluffy-haired Paulus alone, he has turned the ball over and missed critical shots late in games. Switching your point guard in the middle of a season is a pretty drastic move in college basketball. It’s not as big as a quarterback shift in football, but the team needs a definitive answer to who will be taking the ball up the floor in the final five minutes of a close game.
Duke can’t answer that right now.
Paulus to start against UNC {News & Observer}
