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
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