Grading each Duke basketball player’s performance in season opener
By Matt Giles
Grading the play of Duke basketball sophomore Wendell Moore
The stat line of Wendell Moore vs. Coppin State: In 26 minutes on the court, the sophomore small forward finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, zero steals, zero blocks, three turnovers, and four fouls while shooting 6-for-11 from the field, including a 1-for-2 mark from beyond the arc.
The evaluation of Wendell Moore vs. Coppin State: Wendell Moore still doesn’t look totally sure of himself on the college level. That’s somewhat disappointing considering all the hype about his offseason improvements. Again, though, the season is only one game old; yet his fumbles when over-penetrating and missed chances when second-guessing were evident once again.
Yes, the potential is there due to Moore’s long arms, chiseled frame, and high-level athleticism. Plus, at times, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Charlotte native was smooth with the ball in his hands. Furthermore, he connected on a 3-pointer and cleaned up messes in the paint a couple of times with simple buckets.
On the other hand, whether it was due to a lack of aggression or a lack of execution while trying to help out all the newbies, Moore’s defense did not present any noticeable problems to Coppin State. And that might be the chief concern from his first outing as a sophomore, which just didn’t sparkle to the level that his coaches and teammates were touting in the preseason.
The final grade for Wendell Moore vs. Coppin State: 80 (B-)