I guess the AP didn't have access to a television over Thanksgiving break. Duke is ranked #13, which is astounding considering they are 6-0 and they won one of the most prestigious preseason tourneys in the Maui Invitational. Okay, so the AP wasn't that impressed with Duke. Fine, they have very little size and they can't rebound but HOW THE HELL IS MARQUETTE RANKED #11 AFTER LOSING TO DUKE??? I can't take these writers seriously anymore...
ESPN has it right, Duke is #7. I'm not sure they are that good but it's deserving after the Marquette win...
Monday, November 26, 2007
Maui Final, The Colonels, and More...
I went MIA after the Marquette game on Wednesday because of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, etc...and I apologize. The Marquette game was one of the best games I had seen in the early parts of this college basketball season (until yesterday, when NC State and Nova went down to the wire and Nova lost on a terrible foul call and Kansas and Arizona going to OT). Kyle Singler was spectacular and has already lived up to the billing and more. He took that game over at the end and his takeover was culminated with two clutch free throws to seal the victory. I thought the unsung hero was Lance Thomas who clearly played his best game as a Dukie. He was active offensively and defensively. I feel really good for him considering his freshman campaign was an arduous struggle. Last year, Duke would've lost that kind of game but this year, they won because of better experience, more athleticism, and more willing options (McRoberts never wanted the ball in a big spot).
As for the Eastern Kentucky game, I didn't see a minute of the game because I don't have FSNS even though I thought I did. From what I read, it doesn't look like I missed much except a shooting barrage by Taylor King who went for 27 points in only 21 minutes. I think that really speaks to the depth of this year's team when a guy like King who played a combined 3 minutes against Illinois and Marquette in Maui can come out and spark the team to a blowout victory.
One thing I need to mention and I know I always harp on this but it really bothers me: Can we get Marty Pocius some playing time? Like my brother says, he must have slept with one of Coach K's daughters or something because he gets no love from K, even in garbage time. A guy with his offensive potential needs to get a few minutes a game. Yesterday, he only got 3 minutes, which equals the minutes that walk-on Jordan Davidson received. Poor Marty! He probably should've transferred.
Next up is Wisconsin and although they lost their two best perimeter players to graduation, they will be a load down low for the Dukies. This team will lose games this year, that's a fact. I think when they do, it will be because of a lack of rebounding and low-post defense. Wisconsin, with Brian Butch, is certainly a team that can expose this lack of size. Plus, their defensive system could shut down Duke's perimeter scoring, which would severely impair their chances of winning. However, because I'm a homer and I have a good feeling about this team, I believe Duke will pull it out in Cameron Indoor.
Prediction: Duke 68 Wisconsin 60
As for the Eastern Kentucky game, I didn't see a minute of the game because I don't have FSNS even though I thought I did. From what I read, it doesn't look like I missed much except a shooting barrage by Taylor King who went for 27 points in only 21 minutes. I think that really speaks to the depth of this year's team when a guy like King who played a combined 3 minutes against Illinois and Marquette in Maui can come out and spark the team to a blowout victory.
One thing I need to mention and I know I always harp on this but it really bothers me: Can we get Marty Pocius some playing time? Like my brother says, he must have slept with one of Coach K's daughters or something because he gets no love from K, even in garbage time. A guy with his offensive potential needs to get a few minutes a game. Yesterday, he only got 3 minutes, which equals the minutes that walk-on Jordan Davidson received. Poor Marty! He probably should've transferred.
Next up is Wisconsin and although they lost their two best perimeter players to graduation, they will be a load down low for the Dukies. This team will lose games this year, that's a fact. I think when they do, it will be because of a lack of rebounding and low-post defense. Wisconsin, with Brian Butch, is certainly a team that can expose this lack of size. Plus, their defensive system could shut down Duke's perimeter scoring, which would severely impair their chances of winning. However, because I'm a homer and I have a good feeling about this team, I believe Duke will pull it out in Cameron Indoor.
Prediction: Duke 68 Wisconsin 60
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Twilight Zone
The game had the makings of a Maalox masher especially when Illinois jumped out to an early 14-8 lead. However, although many feel that Coach K's overconsumed with coaching the USA team and that's why he's missed out on building relationships with the likes of Patrick Patterson and Greg Monroe, you can see the positives already this season from having such a wide variety of talented assistant coaches on his USA team bench. Greg Paulus, Jon Sheyer, and Nolan Smith aren't even close to Steve Nash so Duke can't transition all of the Phoenix Suns offense into their system but I love the space they are creating on the break and that backdoor cut they used twice against Princeton (I've seen Nash and Marion hook up on that exact same play many times).
More importantly than Duke's offense, Coach K had the Devils go to a 2-3 zone (see Jim Boeheim) and wouldn't you know, it worked and it worked well. In fact, BRB believes that the transition into the zone for about 5 possessions was the turning point of the entire game.
Gerald Henderson was absolutely incredible last night and he showed every bit of what we thought we were getting last year when he arrived in Durham. He shot the ball well from outside, his pull up mid-range jumper is smoother than Barry White was with the ladies, and that jam he had off the Sheyer pass was insane, very Grant Hill-esque. In fact, that dunk actually went as the #1 top play on Sportscenter.
DeMarcus Nelson was spectacular last night and he was the go-to guy early when Duke was trailing and when Illinois cut the Duke lead to 3, Nelson hit a jumper off the front rim and in and Duke never looked back. Nelson looks much faster this season than last and with the strength the Navy Seal upper body, he will be a tremendous asset in his final year at Duke.
Kyle Singler didn't have a great game points wise but I am falling in love with this guy's game quickly. He's extremely versatile, can go inside and out, and I love the fact that he stood face to face with that thug Frazier last night and didn't back down. Duke really needs that type of toughness if they are going to compete at the highest level.
I'm sure Coach K and Jon Sheyer took a ton of happiness beating the cry baby that is Bruce Weber. Bruce, do me a favor, don't snub K in the postgame because you're mad he got Sheyer. IF YOU CAN'T KEEP A LOCAL KID IN ILLINOIS WHEN YOUR BROTHER IS HIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH, YOU NEED TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN YOURSELF AND NOT BLAME OTHERS...
This was a really good win for the Dukies but it will get harder and fast with Marquette in the Maui Championship tonight. This is a rematch of last year's CBE Classic where Dominic James absolutely dismantled the Duke man-to-man defense. I look to see Duke employ even more zone tonight and I expect Duke to use their better athleticism this year to shut Marquette down this year and get some revenge for last year.
Prediction Duke 86 Marquette 79
More importantly than Duke's offense, Coach K had the Devils go to a 2-3 zone (see Jim Boeheim) and wouldn't you know, it worked and it worked well. In fact, BRB believes that the transition into the zone for about 5 possessions was the turning point of the entire game.
Gerald Henderson was absolutely incredible last night and he showed every bit of what we thought we were getting last year when he arrived in Durham. He shot the ball well from outside, his pull up mid-range jumper is smoother than Barry White was with the ladies, and that jam he had off the Sheyer pass was insane, very Grant Hill-esque. In fact, that dunk actually went as the #1 top play on Sportscenter.
DeMarcus Nelson was spectacular last night and he was the go-to guy early when Duke was trailing and when Illinois cut the Duke lead to 3, Nelson hit a jumper off the front rim and in and Duke never looked back. Nelson looks much faster this season than last and with the strength the Navy Seal upper body, he will be a tremendous asset in his final year at Duke.
Kyle Singler didn't have a great game points wise but I am falling in love with this guy's game quickly. He's extremely versatile, can go inside and out, and I love the fact that he stood face to face with that thug Frazier last night and didn't back down. Duke really needs that type of toughness if they are going to compete at the highest level.
I'm sure Coach K and Jon Sheyer took a ton of happiness beating the cry baby that is Bruce Weber. Bruce, do me a favor, don't snub K in the postgame because you're mad he got Sheyer. IF YOU CAN'T KEEP A LOCAL KID IN ILLINOIS WHEN YOUR BROTHER IS HIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH, YOU NEED TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN YOURSELF AND NOT BLAME OTHERS...
This was a really good win for the Dukies but it will get harder and fast with Marquette in the Maui Championship tonight. This is a rematch of last year's CBE Classic where Dominic James absolutely dismantled the Duke man-to-man defense. I look to see Duke employ even more zone tonight and I expect Duke to use their better athleticism this year to shut Marquette down this year and get some revenge for last year.
Prediction Duke 86 Marquette 79
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Eye of the Tiger
Forget about soaking up the sun and some of the Duke players working on some much-needed tans (see Kyle Singler). The Devils came out like gangbusters and jumped out to a 31-4 lead and pretty much cruised after that. Kyle Singler was clearly the best player on the court with 21 points but let's face it, this wasn't your circa 1996 Princeton team. Let's see how Duke fairs against a much stronger opponent tonight when they face the Illini of Illinois, which is clearly a game that if Coach K is in position to do it, he will run up the score because he almost hates Bruce Weber as much as Weber hates him (see Jon Sheyer recruiting battle). The ideal situation is that Duke wins and Sheyer goes for 25+ to rub it in but I will take any win I can and in any which way possible.
Prediction: Duke 94 Illinois 79
Prediction: Duke 94 Illinois 79
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Aggie-ny
In the first half, it was quick and painless. In the second half, it was slow and painful even for Duke fans to watch. Duke spanked New Mexico State in the first half behind their new and improved razzle dazzle fast break, spread offense, of which they have taken a few sets from the Phoenix Suns offense. The Devils looked great offensively in the first half even though you could already see their major weakness exposed early on: the low post; whether it's scoring, rebounding, or defending, they will have trouble with any physical, low post team once the ACC season begins or even before, when they face Pitt at the Garden.
The second half might as well have been a bottle of Nyquil because it put me to sleep. Why? Because Duke, as per usual, went back to playing a slow tempo and taking the air out of the ball with 8 minutes left in the game. Since they can't rebound, they are one-and-done on the offensive end and they begin to look like an average team. If they want to stay in the Top 10, they need to keep up this frantic pace, keep running bodies in and out, play pressure defense, and increase the number of possession because there will be a ton of one and done possessions.
A few things were highlighted last night:
1) It's no myth, size matters. Duke will be able to get away with it against a minor major or a mid major like New Mexico State but once they start playing the big boys, it's going to have to be all hands on deck in terms of rebounding and defending in the post. It's tough when your best rebounder is a 6'3'' guard.
2) Taylor King has range but also has NO CONSCIENCE!! I mean towards the end of the game he wasn't even looking at the basket...
3) McRoberts or no McRoberts this team will be better this year because of one word: depth
Player of the Game: Jon Sheyer, 22 points
Next up: Nov 19th, Duke travels a looooong way to the Maui Invitational and they will play Princeton in the opener. If they beat Princeton, they will play the winner of Arizona State/Illinois.
Prediction: Duke 90 Princeton 56
The second half might as well have been a bottle of Nyquil because it put me to sleep. Why? Because Duke, as per usual, went back to playing a slow tempo and taking the air out of the ball with 8 minutes left in the game. Since they can't rebound, they are one-and-done on the offensive end and they begin to look like an average team. If they want to stay in the Top 10, they need to keep up this frantic pace, keep running bodies in and out, play pressure defense, and increase the number of possession because there will be a ton of one and done possessions.
A few things were highlighted last night:
1) It's no myth, size matters. Duke will be able to get away with it against a minor major or a mid major like New Mexico State but once they start playing the big boys, it's going to have to be all hands on deck in terms of rebounding and defending in the post. It's tough when your best rebounder is a 6'3'' guard.
2) Taylor King has range but also has NO CONSCIENCE!! I mean towards the end of the game he wasn't even looking at the basket...
3) McRoberts or no McRoberts this team will be better this year because of one word: depth
Player of the Game: Jon Sheyer, 22 points
Next up: Nov 19th, Duke travels a looooong way to the Maui Invitational and they will play Princeton in the opener. If they beat Princeton, they will play the winner of Arizona State/Illinois.
Prediction: Duke 90 Princeton 56
Thursday, November 8, 2007
CATastrophic
Don't laugh but Kentucky got blown out at home by Gardner Webb, sounds more like a british author than a basketball school. This, coupled with Ohio State losing to Findley and Michigan State losing to Grand Valley State, really makes you wonder about the parity in college basketball when low D-I or high D-II schools can go into historic buildings against historic programs and win. That's why these games against Shaw, Barton, and NC Central are so scary because if you god forbid lose, you're a laughing stock. Duke will not lose to NC Central but don't laugh at the likes of Ohio State, Mich St and Kentucky because karma is a bitch and will come back to bite you. For example, no one was happier and rubbed it in the face of UCONN fans more when George Mason shocked them in the Elite 8 two years ago. What happened? Duke lost in similar heartbreak fashion to another team from the Colonial, VCU.
As for the games so far, I have a huge bone to pick with Inside Access this year. I pay my $9.95 a month specifically for these untelevised games in the beginning of the year. However, for the games, I've either been in class or it was my birthday, so I figured I'd just watch them on archive. IA has not archived these games so I haven't seen a minute of the season yet. If anyone knows what's going on about that, let me know. With that said, anytime you score 134 points in a 40 minute game, you have to feel good as a fan. I don't care if Duke plays Chaminade High School and does that, it's still impressive. The thing I love about what I hear so far about this team is that K is insisting that he will run all scholarship guys out there and finally, finally use his depth! If you think about it, Duke doesn't have the best backcourt in the country but it certainly has the deepest in terms on guys who play 1-3. Kyle Singler looks to be the real deal and should be solid at the 4. So, it all goes back to the question we all had once Josh McRoberts decided to ride the end of the bench in Portland for pay instead of returning to Duke: What will the Devils get from the 5? From pictures and what I read, Lance Thomas looks to be more defined and built in the upper body. Only time will tell I guess but if this IA thing doesn't get corrected, Monday night will be our first look at this team against Reggie Theus-less New Mexico State and PG Elijah Ingram (remember him? The guy who got kicked out of St. John's for solliciting a prostitute with his buddy, then was accused of raping her only to be quickly acquitted because he taped the consensual acts on his cell phone, nonetheless, the Johnnies got rid of him) on Monday night (ESPN2, 7PM)
As for the games so far, I have a huge bone to pick with Inside Access this year. I pay my $9.95 a month specifically for these untelevised games in the beginning of the year. However, for the games, I've either been in class or it was my birthday, so I figured I'd just watch them on archive. IA has not archived these games so I haven't seen a minute of the season yet. If anyone knows what's going on about that, let me know. With that said, anytime you score 134 points in a 40 minute game, you have to feel good as a fan. I don't care if Duke plays Chaminade High School and does that, it's still impressive. The thing I love about what I hear so far about this team is that K is insisting that he will run all scholarship guys out there and finally, finally use his depth! If you think about it, Duke doesn't have the best backcourt in the country but it certainly has the deepest in terms on guys who play 1-3. Kyle Singler looks to be the real deal and should be solid at the 4. So, it all goes back to the question we all had once Josh McRoberts decided to ride the end of the bench in Portland for pay instead of returning to Duke: What will the Devils get from the 5? From pictures and what I read, Lance Thomas looks to be more defined and built in the upper body. Only time will tell I guess but if this IA thing doesn't get corrected, Monday night will be our first look at this team against Reggie Theus-less New Mexico State and PG Elijah Ingram (remember him? The guy who got kicked out of St. John's for solliciting a prostitute with his buddy, then was accused of raping her only to be quickly acquitted because he taped the consensual acts on his cell phone, nonetheless, the Johnnies got rid of him) on Monday night (ESPN2, 7PM)
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Williams to Duke
Elliot Williams committed to Duke last night, a much needed pickup after Duke fell short in the Greg Monroe sweepstakes. It looks like Williams and Cykz are the only two from the Class of 2008, which signals a few things. One, Duke will be forced to develop Zoubek and Thomas not only this year but next year and two, the up and down style will continue to land tons of talented guards. I'm excited about Williams but for now, I'm focused on this year's team and its immense potential.
I still haven't watched the Blue/White yet on Inside Access but once I do, I will have a post on what I saw. Plus, if anyone has IA, check out Duke tonight against Shaw in an exhibition at Cameron. If they lose, cancel the season...
I still haven't watched the Blue/White yet on Inside Access but once I do, I will have a post on what I saw. Plus, if anyone has IA, check out Duke tonight against Shaw in an exhibition at Cameron. If they lose, cancel the season...
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