YEAH!!!! Devils Top Tigers @ Littlejon

For all you rap fans, you know you love my title. Duke held on for dear life tonight to beat a desperate Clemson team that turned it on a little too late and that may have cost them an NCAA Tournament bid. Amazing, considering Clemson was the last Division I undefeated team at 17-0 but let's be honest, that had a little something to do with that Charmin soft non-conference schedule that Oliver Purnell put together. Since that red hot start, the Tigers are 2-8 and should basically start packing for Madison Square Garden now because they are headed for the NIT. That really isn't fair because you can't tell me that Clemson is not one of the best 65 teams in the country. Should they penalized for playing in the toughest conference in America? Enough Clemson.

It was a tale of two halves. The first half, although I missed about half of it due to that brutal Corporate Finance Midterm I had but that's a different story, was tremendous. Duke took advantage of Clemson's overplaying on defense and Greg Paulus has really come into his own. I'll be the first to admit, after the first G Tech game, I had come to the conclusion that Paulus was going to be mediocre at best but every since he's been aggressive shooting the ball, he's been a totally different player. In fact, I think it's fair to say that he's their money guy right now. Against Tech on Sunday, it was his big 3 that stopped the Tech run and tonight he hit a cold blooded 3 pointer when things werent going well.

The 2nd Half was certainly a struggle for Duke but I pretty much expected Clemson to come back because this was really their season on the line tonight. Even though I didn't like the turnovers off the press, I loved the fact that they didn't air out the ball at the end of the game. They stayed aggressive (i.e. Josh down the lane) and that's why they will head up the New Jersey Turnpike winners of 3 straight and have an NCAA birth in their pocket. Jon Sheyer hit two huge 3's, one out of a timeout that essentially clinched the game for Duke.

I'll tell you what, for as much as this team has struggled this year, they are 21-7 with the 3rd hardest schedule in the nation. Considering their age and absence of a true superstar, this has been a tremendous season even though it may not be living up to the "Duke tradition" I love this team, I love how hard they play, I love that they have flaws but work their asses off to make up for them. Huge road win for Duke!

Next up is a non-conference showdown with St. John's, of which I will be in attendance. Now, I do go to St. John's but don't think that I hold any type of allegiance to them. They pay my tuition that's it. Duke is where my heart is and that will never change. Although I think Duke is more talented and will win, I have a nervous feeling about a let down in addition to the altercation I had with Anthony Mason Jr. on campus where he shouted at me " Yo, Duke sucks homey" of which I responded "They beat you last year" So, basically Mason will go for 50 points and the Johnnies will pull off the upset. Hey, don't laugh. I was there with my brother in 2003 when Duke blew an 11 point lead with 2 minutes left against an inferior St. John's team led by Marcus "Man" Hatten. That was the first Duke game I ever saw live. It was the only loss. Let's keep it that way guys.

Prediction: Duke 68 SJU 50