The Devil's Den: A Duke Athletics Podcast · The Devils Den Podcast, Duke, Duke basketball, Duke athletics, Duke Blue Devils

Episode 353 - Brian Geisinger

·1 hr 21 min·5 clips

Brian Geisinger reveals why Pat Gungba's playmaking is irreplaceable for Duke's five-out offense.

This episode of The Devil's Den features hosts Josh Smith and Raul in conversation with Brian Geisinger, a college basketball analyst from 247 Sports. They analyze Duke basketball following a win over Pitt and discuss the potential impact of center Pat Gungba's injury. Geisinger details Gungba's statistical impact, noting his 13% offensive rebound rate, 19% defensive rebound rate, and 7% block rate. He explains that lineups with Cam Boozer and Gungba have a plus-243 rating in 387 minutes, while Boozer with Malik Brown instead is plus-137 in 297 minutes. The conversation covers how Duke's offense relies heavily on five-out sets and face-up playmaking from Gungba. Geisinger identifies Clemson, Michigan, and UNC as upcoming opponents with formidable frontcourts that will challenge Duke without Gungba. He suggests Duke may need to cross-match defensively, putting Boozer on opposing centers and using Brown to switch. A significant portion focuses on guard Isaiah Evans, whose three-point shooting has dipped to 33% after a 42% season last year, though his foul-drawing has improved. Geisinger notes Evans draws 3.8 fouls per 40 minutes now, up from 2.6, and remains crucial for his off-ball gravity and screening. The hosts and Geisinger explore tactical adjustments, like using more ball-screen actions with guards Caleb Foster and Caden Boozer or employing "angle small" sets with Brown spaced in the corner. They discuss how the loss of Gungba diminishes Duke's lob threat and rim protection, forcing a potential shift to a higher-variance, three-point-heavy approach. Geisinger points out that without Gungba, Duke lacks a clear frontcourt replacement, making players like Khaman Maluach and Sean Stewart more important. The tone is analytical and conversational, breaking down specific plays, lineup data, and strategic possibilities. This episode is ideal for Duke fans or ACC basketball enthusiasts seeking a deep, tactical breakdown of the team's roster and scheme. Listeners looking for broad entertainment or non-Duke-related sports talk may find it too niche.

As heard by us

A sharp Duke tactical check-in built around Big Pat's status and the Pitt win.

Brian Geisinger returns to break down Duke's 70-54 win over Pitt and the larger question hanging over the offense: what changes if Big Pat is out.

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Why you'd press play

When you want Duke's offense stress-tested by Big Pat's absence and Brian Geisinger breaking it down in real basketball terms.

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