Duke defeated Temple tonight behind a career-high 21 points from Josh McRoberts. The Blue Devils fell behind early 16-4 on some hot shooting from Dionte Christmas but then it was McNasty time. He took the game over and ended the game with another loaded stat sheet: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks. What else can this guy do? I will go out on a limb here but he is the best all around college basketball player in the country. There I said it. Listen, Oden might get there by the end of the year but McRoberts can basically score whenever he decides he wants to, he passes like a guard, and he's a great defensive presence, something I didn't see that much of last season. I don't know how much more I can say about this guy. He is easily the most versatile player Duke has had since Grant Hill and quite possibly ever. Let's just hope he sticks around another couple of seasons because it is such a joy to watch this guy play. Yes, Josh you are my new man crush, sorry JJ, you're benched!! (just like in Orlando)
Greg Paulus had another solid game even though he had 3 turnovers to only 2 assists but one of those assists was incredible and can't help but remind you of the pass Bobby Hurley made to Grant Hill in the 1991 National Semifinal against UNLV. DeMarcus Nelson had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds and was the benefit of some great passing by both Paulus and McRoberts.
Two guys who definitely will fall under the radar for this game are David McClure and Brian Zoubek. Yes, I said Brian Zoubek. Zoubek was tremendous in the 1st Half and really sparked Duke offensively using his size to dominate the undersized Owls. Coach K was full of praise in the press conference and said he would've gotten more minutes if the Owls didn't go so small in the 2nd Half. Good job Brian! As for McClure, all he did was score 6 points and grab 12 rebounds. Usually, this guy does all of the intangibles that don't light up the stat sheet but 12 rebounds in 28 minutes, where was he last year when they needed him desperately? Platoon him and Melchionni last year and things could've been different especially against a tough, athletic LSU team.
Overall, I was pleased with the effort. The team battled back from early adversity and showed they are improving. Let's not forget, this is the youngest Duke team since WWII. All this team has heard is criticism for their offensive woes but yet they are 13-1 with big-time wins over Air Force, Indiana (who played Oden's Buckeyees tough tonight), G'Town (who just killed Michigan), and Gonzaga, all teams that have been in the Top 25 at some point this season. That's not to mention the big-time mid-major schools they have beaten this year: Davidson, Holy Cross, Kent State, George Mason.
Next up is Virginia Tech and the start of ACC Conference play. This is where we will see how legitimate Duke really is this year. I still think they are not as good as their #5 ranking but I think this team has every opportunity to land in the Top 10 at years end. Virginia Tech will be tough and everyone remembers the last time they played in Cameron. If not, look up Sean Dockery in Europe, he may have a vague recollection of what happened. I expect this to be close, going back and forth but I think the young Blue Devils will be up to their first ACC challenge.
Prediction: Duke 70 Virginia Tech 66
2 comments:
First and foremost, that was a pretty sweet game last night. It even had john on his feet. McRoberts amazes me more and more throught the season.
I would like to remind you Chris, that low blows to Shav and Melchionni will be tolerated yet scorned upon, but deinitely not to Redick. (Watch your back.)
Zoubek surprised me in proving that he's not just a tree, by showing emotion and I feel thats what he needs. I know the kid is 7-0 but he should jump more.
And as for McClure, I'm just going to say that I told you so. ;)
Keep up the good work.
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