Although Duke plays tonight, their greatest victory came earlier in the day when 6'11'' Mason Plumlee committed to Duke and became the first recruit for Duke in the Class of 2009. There has been a great deal of pub about Kenny Boynton and Leslie McDonald but this kid, from everything you read, will provide something that Duke does not have this year and won't have next year, an inside presence...
Welcome to Duke, Mason
MP ARTICLE
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Duke #2 in the East (Bracketology)
Although Shawn Seigel still has Duke as a #1 because of their gaudy RPI, Joe Lunardi has dropped them to a #2 seed. However, he has them as the #2 seed in the East (Charlotte) bracket, which would be a huge break for Duke.
I would much rather a #2 in the East then a #1 in the Midwest or West...
BRACKET
I would much rather a #2 in the East then a #1 in the Midwest or West...
BRACKET
Oh Boy!
It was clear to me last night watching the Cal/Stanford game that Duke could really use Jamal Boykin. Who? He was one of the guys who didn't play much at Duke and transferred because of a series of family problems coupled with a lack of playing time.
Since joining the Golden Bears mid-season, Boykin has had some really good games and more importantly, is an active body off the bench in the nation's toughest conference. In just 16 games this season, Boykin is the 5th leading scorer on a Cal team that has some studs, mainly Ryan Anderson, Patrick Christopher, and Devon Hardin. Not to mention, he's went for double figure points off the bench in 7 of those 16 games, which is something Duke has severely lacked at their 5-position. Boykin stands the same height as Lance Thomas and with David McClure clearly feeling the effects of his multiple knee injuries, Duke could really use a guy like Boykin to eat up some minutes and even provide an offensive spark, something that Lance Thomas rarely gives you.
The transfers on Jamal Boykin and Eric Boateng were relative footnotes for Duke and its fan base when they happened but with McRoberts bailing for the NBA (or NBDL), Patrick Patterson going to Lexington, and Duke missing out on the Greg Monroe sweepstakes, those transfers seem to a hurt a lot more...
Since joining the Golden Bears mid-season, Boykin has had some really good games and more importantly, is an active body off the bench in the nation's toughest conference. In just 16 games this season, Boykin is the 5th leading scorer on a Cal team that has some studs, mainly Ryan Anderson, Patrick Christopher, and Devon Hardin. Not to mention, he's went for double figure points off the bench in 7 of those 16 games, which is something Duke has severely lacked at their 5-position. Boykin stands the same height as Lance Thomas and with David McClure clearly feeling the effects of his multiple knee injuries, Duke could really use a guy like Boykin to eat up some minutes and even provide an offensive spark, something that Lance Thomas rarely gives you.
The transfers on Jamal Boykin and Eric Boateng were relative footnotes for Duke and its fan base when they happened but with McRoberts bailing for the NBA (or NBDL), Patrick Patterson going to Lexington, and Duke missing out on the Greg Monroe sweepstakes, those transfers seem to a hurt a lot more...
Duke Drops in Rankings
The mid-week loss to Miami (FL) dropped Duke two spots in both polls, ESPN #6 & AP #7. Tennessee assumes its first #1 ranking in school history and it could be short lived, with a trip to Vanderbilt on the horizon.
Despite huge wins over Duke and Maryland, Miami didn't crack the Top 25 in either poll, still leaving Duke and UNC as the only two representatives of the ACC.
POLL
Despite huge wins over Duke and Maryland, Miami didn't crack the Top 25 in either poll, still leaving Duke and UNC as the only two representatives of the ACC.
POLL
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Weathering The Storm
When you have a cold, you go to the Benadryl. When you get cut, you go to the bandaid. When you're on a two-game losing streak, you play St. John's. My graduate school alma mater is hardly a big-time program anymore and Duke couldn't have planned the Johnnies trip to Cameron at a better time. Coming off two straight ACC road losses, Duke came home searching for their identity and early on, it looked as if they would struggle through this one as well, falling behind 7-0 to the young Johnnies.
However, Duke's ability to defend coupled with their ability to hit the three pointer, allowed them to coast to a much needed, easy victory. I'll tell you, it was like the bizarro world out there today with Brian Zoubek (yes, this is NOT a typo) taking over and getting a double-double. What were the Vegas odds on Brian Zoubek getting a double-double? Probably the same as David Tyree catching a TD pass as well as the biggest catch in sports history in the Super Bowl. If they get similar efforts from Zoubek, Duke has a good shot to go to the Final 4. Let me see Zou do it against better competition, specifically Georgia Tech later this week.
Greg Paulus had a pretty rough game on a negative note even though he bounced back to hit some threes in the 2nd Half but I must say, I love Nolan Smith at the point right now. Kyle Singler, what else can I say about him? Anyone who reads this blog knows the man love I have for him. Gerald Henderson looked much better with that wrist injury and really sparked the run that pulled Duke away from the Johnnies with 3 consecutive jumpers. Oh, and I would be wrong if I didn't make a public apology to Jon Sheyer. After calling him out after the Wake game, he has really responded. I'm not saying that my blog was bulletin board material but I will take credit for his resurgence anyways just because I can and I want to.
Next up for the Dukies is Georgia Tech at Cameron Indoor on Wednesday night. If Duke can pressure Causey into turnovers, Duke should prevail at home and look towards the big one in Raleigh over the weekend against State. I will provide a prediction later in the week but I certainly like Duke in this one after regaining their stroke against the Red Storm.
However, Duke's ability to defend coupled with their ability to hit the three pointer, allowed them to coast to a much needed, easy victory. I'll tell you, it was like the bizarro world out there today with Brian Zoubek (yes, this is NOT a typo) taking over and getting a double-double. What were the Vegas odds on Brian Zoubek getting a double-double? Probably the same as David Tyree catching a TD pass as well as the biggest catch in sports history in the Super Bowl. If they get similar efforts from Zoubek, Duke has a good shot to go to the Final 4. Let me see Zou do it against better competition, specifically Georgia Tech later this week.
Greg Paulus had a pretty rough game on a negative note even though he bounced back to hit some threes in the 2nd Half but I must say, I love Nolan Smith at the point right now. Kyle Singler, what else can I say about him? Anyone who reads this blog knows the man love I have for him. Gerald Henderson looked much better with that wrist injury and really sparked the run that pulled Duke away from the Johnnies with 3 consecutive jumpers. Oh, and I would be wrong if I didn't make a public apology to Jon Sheyer. After calling him out after the Wake game, he has really responded. I'm not saying that my blog was bulletin board material but I will take credit for his resurgence anyways just because I can and I want to.
Next up for the Dukies is Georgia Tech at Cameron Indoor on Wednesday night. If Duke can pressure Causey into turnovers, Duke should prevail at home and look towards the big one in Raleigh over the weekend against State. I will provide a prediction later in the week but I certainly like Duke in this one after regaining their stroke against the Red Storm.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Elliot Williams on McDonald's All-American Roster
Big surprise, the Dukies landed a McDonald's All-American in Elliot Williams and look like they will lock up his friend Leslie McDonald next year, another All-American possibility.
A bigger surprise, however, is that Duke only landed one and he's 6'4''. The last time I checked, I could've sworn that Duke is in dire need of guys taller than 6'8'' and that issue was not addressed with this recruiting class.
McD's Count
UNC (3)
Ohio State (2)
UCLA (2)
Alabama (1)
Virginia (1)
Rutgers (1)
Louisville (1)
Florida State (1)
UCONN (1)
Duke (1)
Nevada (1) Huh?
USC (1)
Oregon (1)
Wake Forest (1)
Arizona (1)
G'Town (1)
G'Tech (1)
Oklahoma (1)
Unofficial Roster
A bigger surprise, however, is that Duke only landed one and he's 6'4''. The last time I checked, I could've sworn that Duke is in dire need of guys taller than 6'8'' and that issue was not addressed with this recruiting class.
McD's Count
UNC (3)
Ohio State (2)
UCLA (2)
Alabama (1)
Virginia (1)
Rutgers (1)
Louisville (1)
Florida State (1)
UCONN (1)
Duke (1)
Nevada (1) Huh?
USC (1)
Oregon (1)
Wake Forest (1)
Arizona (1)
G'Town (1)
G'Tech (1)
Oklahoma (1)
Unofficial Roster
Hurri-ble Defeat
Heading into Sunday night's game against Wake Forest, Duke had only sustained one freakin loss. Four days later, they have three. Miami jumped out to an uncharacteristic 20 point lead early in the 2nd Half and barely held off the Blue Devils on Wednesday night 96-95.
I only saw one segment of this game (thank god) because I was blocked out of this game because I don't belong to an ACC market. So, I will not pull a Christopher "Maddog" Russo and comment on a game that I didn't see but I will say this: two straight losses don't bother me as much as letting up 96 points and giving up 58% shooting from the field. Duke's defense seems to have abandoned them in the last two games and they better find it fast.
On Saturday, Duke finally returns home and steps out of conference to face my pathetic alma mater, St. John's. If the Dukies lose this game, cancel the season. The Johnnies are as dreadful as they come and although Justin Burrell could hurt them down low, their guard play is much too weak to beat the Devils in Cameron, that's a guarantee.
Prediction: Duke 76 St. John's 61
I don't know what's wrong with this team the last two games but they still have time to get it together, win this conference, and secure that coveted #1 seed. The mission is simple to understand but not so simple in accomplishing: beat GT at home, beat NC State in Raleigh, beat Virginia in Charlottesville, and then knock off the Lawson-led Tar Heels on DeMarcus' Senior Day. That sounds easy enough (notice the sarcasm).
UNHAPPY RECAP
I only saw one segment of this game (thank god) because I was blocked out of this game because I don't belong to an ACC market. So, I will not pull a Christopher "Maddog" Russo and comment on a game that I didn't see but I will say this: two straight losses don't bother me as much as letting up 96 points and giving up 58% shooting from the field. Duke's defense seems to have abandoned them in the last two games and they better find it fast.
On Saturday, Duke finally returns home and steps out of conference to face my pathetic alma mater, St. John's. If the Dukies lose this game, cancel the season. The Johnnies are as dreadful as they come and although Justin Burrell could hurt them down low, their guard play is much too weak to beat the Devils in Cameron, that's a guarantee.
Prediction: Duke 76 St. John's 61
I don't know what's wrong with this team the last two games but they still have time to get it together, win this conference, and secure that coveted #1 seed. The mission is simple to understand but not so simple in accomplishing: beat GT at home, beat NC State in Raleigh, beat Virginia in Charlottesville, and then knock off the Lawson-led Tar Heels on DeMarcus' Senior Day. That sounds easy enough (notice the sarcasm).
UNHAPPY RECAP
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