Duke has been more or less the same team since 2004 which can be described as a perpetually underachieving team that has benefited from the Duke name and legacy, and continuously disappointed tremendously.
Coach K has done very well with the talent (or lack there of) of his most recent teams. However, he has struggled to recruit big men, athletic players, and/or BEAST. A BEAST is someone that can take over a game with or without the help of others. To name a few recent players, players such as Derrick Rose, Elton Brand, Jay Williams, Antawn Jamison, Randolph Childress, Carmelo Anthony, Candace Parker, and Diana Taurasi are beasts. Duke no longer gets this caliber of player. There is no one of Duke's team that opposing teams are afraid of our have to special game plan for...no one. Duke's last great player was J.J. Redick whom was held to 11 points as he went 3-for-18 from the field in his final in his final collegiate game against Lousiana State University (a team that they should have beaten that they not surprisingly lost too, due to its incredible athleticism.) J.J. college career can be described as great scoring numbers while never truly played well in important games. The only success that he had at Duke was as a freshmen bench contributor. He didn't improve much throughout his college career and he was exposed and continues to be exposed on the professional level. Nonetheless, I don't feel sorry for this guy. He was a lottery pick and is set for life via his rookie lottery contract and graduating from Duke University as a college superstar.
Enough with the Duke background. I will be doing a Duke vs. UNC semi blog tonight. It is semi because I will be writing during the game, but I will not be posting live. I will post either tonight or tomorrow. So, sporty nation enjoy and everyone pray that it is a good game and that Duke doesn't get blown out by 20 which is no doubt possible.
Will there be this
or this
Only time will tell!
SEMI-LIVe BLOG
9:10pm UNC steals the ball and lays it up. UNC 8 Duke 4.
9:17pm Ty Lawson blowing past defenders left and right as if he were on the “clear.” UNC 16 Duke 10
9:19pm Nolan Smith picks up his 2nd foul and stays in the game. He is too talented to sit. You can’t believe in Paulus. Upon queue Smith drives and scores.
9:22pm Duke is playing 5 vs. 3 with Zoubek and McClure on the court. UNC 28 Duke 18
9:26pm Jon Sheyer makes a huge 3. UNC29 Duke 21
9:28 Paulus makes an even larger 3. Duke has to keep the hame close. They don’t have the personnel or ability to make a huge comeback against a team as talented as UNC. UNC 29 Duke 24.
9:30 Hansborough does his normal offensive flop but doesn’t get a trip to the line.
9:32 Glorification of Greg Paulus
9:32 Bobby Frasor gets buckets UNC 34-Duke 26
9:32 Singler for 3 UNC 34-Duke 29.
Exciting 60 seconds!
9:33 UNC can’t score for some reason and has exhibited piss poor defense. UNC 34 Duke 33. Duke is getting it done some way. Making floaters, 3s, and not being contested in the paint. Truly piss poor UNC defense. It can’t last for ever.
9:37pm Paulus makes an improbable fast trigger 3.
9:38pm Duke is on a 16-3 run Duke 40 UNC 34.Duke is really playing lights out and UNC is playing terribly. Yet, they are still in the game.
9:40pm Zoubek enters the game. GASP, CRY, AND PRAY as I have a higher basketball IQ than him.
9:45pm Zoubek fouls a UNC player 75 feet away from the basket…Zoubek strikes! UNC is in the 1 and 1. UNC 38 Duke 42.
9:47pm Henderson swishes a 3 (if he gets a consistent jumper he could really be a good, quality player on this level and the next level).
9:49pm Singler hits a 3. Pretty good time to break out of a slump.
9:52pm Green clutch corner 3. UNC 44- Duke 50.
9:53pm Lance Thomas gets fouled and makes the basket right under the goal at the end of the 1st half. Thomas was wide open under the goal. UNC just hasn’t been itself today. This play exemplifies just how bad UNC has played defensively this half.
9:53pm HALFTIME. Duke has played extraordinarily well. UNC hasn’t played as well as they are capable. Piss poor defense, lethargically on the offensive end. And, have executed poorly in most all facets of the game.
“Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego?!” or is it Tyler Hansborough?! Geez. The greatest thing since sliced bread has been invisible.
10:12pm Singler elbows Tyler in the face (The fight of “Scarecrow” vs. “Alien “begins)
10:15pm Singler break away transition dunk. Did Roy make halftime adjustments?
10:19pm UNC says “F” it. Duke 56 UNC 54. Uh oh. UNC just had an epiphany that they , indeed, are more talented than Duke. This could be trouble for the Blue Devils.
10:24pm Singler makes a nice step back J.
10:28pm UNC attacking the basket and gets the foul. Duke is in foul trouble. UNC 64 Duke 63.
10:30pm Lance makes a solid put back. This is exactly what he should be doing. Wish he could do more, but he simply can’t do more. Duke 65 UNC 64.
10:30pm Wayne Ellington makes an impactful 3 from deep. UNC 67 Duke 63.
10:31pm Duke can’t rebound. There lack of size is and athleticism is finally catching up to them. There is only so much that a frontline of Zoubek, McClure, and Thomas can do. They have played well, but there are limitations.
10:36pm UNC 73 Duke 69. I just don’t see how Duke can win this game. They don’t have the talent to beat UNC. Nothing short of a “life changing” performance seems to be necessary for a Duke win. And, I don’t see that coming. They better do it now because they AIN’T winning in the Dean Dome. But, I am just sayn’…
10:43pm Gerald Henderson drives and gets bailed out. UNC 74 Duke 71.
10:48pm Tyler for 3. Bang. “Tyler gets buckets” UNC 83-71
10:52pm Henderson slides on the ground. UNC 85 Duke 71
10:53pm Ty Lawson this time Ty demonstrates what the “cream” is all about. This dude just blew right past the Duke defense while simultaneously wiping sweat from his face with his jersey. What the heck?! UNC 88 Duke 71.
11: 04pm UNC 92 Duke 84 Duke offensive board. Singler with the put back
11:06pm Lawson makes two free throws UNC 96 Duke 84.
11:13pm UNC busts the clock
This game wasn't surprising. UNC is really really good and in another tier from Duke. Duke has to make some systematic changes if it wants to be with the top tier of college basketball. 3 pointers can only get you so far. It starts with recruiting. You can't be mad at Duke for this performance. The personnel is not there. This where coach K makes his money. Will he make it is the question...
Stay sporty nation, this is my Minority Report.
Nice!
ReplyDeleteCoach K MUST start recruiting the proper personnel for his offense. Glad to see Mike finally gave the Memphis Boy a chance to show his All-American ability. Carolina by 8 at the Smith Center. Go Heels!!!!!!! and Vols!!!!!!!!!