FU FSU

Classless. Despicable. Uneducated. All synonyms for the Florida State Seminoles. I hate to come off like Ladanian Tomlinson but that's a classless team and it probably comes from their head coach. Inexplicably, Leonard Hamilton was able to push DeMarcus Nelson out of the way to argue a call. Sure, he got T'd up later on but for him to get away with that is mind boggling. Then, FSU pulls off the upset and they taunt the crowd, in particular JJ Redick. Real classy kids you recruited Leonard. I know a plant can get into Florida State but can you get some kids with class or are you just pulling them all straight out of the ghetto? Huh? Then, after you get your team to stop taunting the fans, you proceed to hold up your finger at the crowd as you walk off the court after you just yelled at your team for doing the same thing. BUT, all in all, FSU deserved to win this game. Any team that can withstand such improbable circumstances deserves a little credit despite how classless they are in doing it. Down 27-10 on JJ Redick day, most teams would've toppled like a house of cards but FSU had that game at Cameron last year in their mind where Alexander Johnson was wrongly disqualified from the game. If that doesn't happen last year, I guarantee FSU isn't as hungry. AND you know when Duke goes down to Clemson later on this year that Clemson will play extra inspired as well. Why? Because the refs got it wrong and they hold it against Duke.

As for the game, I didn't see the part where Duke went on the big run to start the game because the ever "important" St. John's/Cincy game ran late but to me, I don't care how old the team is, they could be 13 freakin years old, you cannot blow a 17 point lead at home on JJ Redick day, you just can't!!!!!This time you can't blame it on the offensive philosophy at the end of the game. They let up, they got sloppy, they committed unnecessary fouls, they failed to guard the 3-point shot, which has been the staple of the program in the K era. Josh played very careless in the 1st Half and it really hurt them. He played Thorton well in the 2nd Half but his careless fouls allowed FSU to crawl all the way back into the game. I could get on Paulus for the technical foul but I love the emotion and to be honest, that should've been a double technical because Douglas initiated the confrontation.

Bottom line. They had 3 golden opportunities to seize the game and they missed all three. Greg missed a layup even though he was definitely bumped on the way. Then, Josh missed a contested 6 footer, which he may have been fouled on but at that point unless its egregious, it's a play on and then DeMarcus missed a point blank tip in. On the replay, it looked like it got caught in his hand and that caused him to push it long. I'll tell you, Josh is Mr. Everything for this team but he can't finish around the basket if it isn't a dunk.

With these two losses, this team is no lock to make the NCAA Tournament now. They are 5-4 through the 1st Half of the "easy" part of their conference schedule. It doesn't get any easier for Duke as they have to play UNC, after they themselves lost on Saturday to NC State, so that is a tough game. The crowd is going to have to be the best crowd they've ever had to get Duke through that one. I had made a bet with my dad that Duke would somehow pull out the UNC game but that's when I thought Duke would be hungrier but now that UNC just suffered an embarrassing loss, they would like nothing more than to throw some more dirt on Duke's season.

So next up is UNC at Cameron on Wednesday night. This week is the season ladies and gentlemen. They at least need an inspired effort against Carolina and then they need to win a tough road game against Maryland on the 11th. If they win both then they will be in great shape. If they split, they have some more work to do but it's doable. If they lose both, mark my words, this team could be NIT bound, which is unfathomable considering the amount of talent on this team. We all know what Coach K is going to do now. You'll see a Marty Pocius or even a walk on in the beginning of the 1st Half against UNC to get the crowd and team into it. He always does it. He's always pushed the right buttons but can ripping down all the posters in the locker room and taking down all the banners work twice in a month? K is the ultimate motivator and it will take his best work to get them through this. I am not pissed or mad. I can't be at a team that exerts nothing but 100% each and every game but I'm worried about Duke here for now and the future. A dramatic win in either one of these two games could've pushed Patrick Patterson toward Durham but all of a sudden, Duke looks mortal and at this point right now, choosing Florida over Duke may be the smarter move. The education is much less but the team is a powerhouse, the girls are better looking, it's hotter. Duke is in trouble ladies and gentlemen with a Capital T! No picture, FSU doesn't deserve one on my blog you bunch of classless thugs. You'll be in the NCAA Tourney this year but enjoy it because once Thorton leaves, you'll go back to being the doormat of the ACC. As for UNC, all I can do is pray.

Prediction: I'm not making one.