Duke beat Georgia Tech in their first game of the ACC Tournment 82-70. The Blue Devils looked like they were going to run away with this one after a strong first half, but the Yellow Jackets came on strong in the second half. The Yellow Jackets came as close as 2 points from tying the Blue Devils when the Blue Devils put the game away. Duke cannot play this way in their next game, they need to get a killer instinct and put the next team away instead of letting them back into the game as they did with Georgia Tech.
As much as it pains me to even make this post, I must move forward.
Here’s my take:
Although somewhat irrelevant, that was a pretty pathetic no call on Hansbrough on Scheyer late in the game. Sorry UNC readers, that was foul considering all the calls you guys got in the first half.
Enough of the crying. I’m sure I’ll get to whine a bit more on Monday at work.
Why we lost:
Duke has never shown the physical toughness on defense as long as I’ve been a fan. Thats over 26+ years. What am I talking about? Hell, even in my high school games you Never, and I mean Never let a team come into your house and dunk on you. The dunk by “whomever-it-was” over Paulus is exactly what I’m talking about. Who the hell lets someone dunk on them in such an important game? Duke, thats who. I was taught to go up hard and block the shot. If you fouled oh well, but hell at least made an attempt to stop someone from bullying you around in your gym. You at the very least sent the message that if try that shit again, you’re going down even harder. Duke’s never shown that to me. They don’t protect their turf or their own for that matter. Once I saw that dunk I knew it was over.
Where the hell was Henderson again? He’s my biggest let down on the Devil roster this year. Dribbling it into the hands of Lawson was pretty laughable.
Scheyer should be the sixth man of the year. He shows heart, skill, and tenacity 24/7 when he’s in the game.
Well here’s to looking forward to the tie breaker in the ACC Tourney.
Duke beat Virginia 86-70 at Virginia in a tuneup for the big game at home against UNC.
Well, its begun already. The chit chat that makes UNC/Duke rivalries so much fun. Just today the smack talking has begun at my office. I didn’t even instigate it as one might think because Duke won the last game. Instead UNC is looking to take revenge on their loss to the Devils and ruin a senior night.
I’m actually scared this time around. Duke’s not playing the ball they’re capable of playing and their shots haven’t been falling from afar. In order to beat this UNC team they need all cylinders turning. Not only is this a big rivalry but alot is on the line. ACC and NCAA spots are important.
I think this week I’ll be tuning into 610 am (here in Charlotte) to listen to the Mac Attack to find out whats on the minds of those foes we call “heels”.
In a nailbiter Duke beats NC State 87-86. Duke struggled on the free throw line again. Duke needs to start improving on the free throw line or their trip to the NCAA’s will be short.
In the mean time Coach K has earned his 800th victory. WTG Coach K!!!
Duke beat Georgia Tech 71-58 regaining tie for 1st in the ACC with UNC. Duke played great defense and that is what helped them win the game against Georgia Tech.
After two losses Duke got back on the winning track by beating St. Johns. Lets all hope that this is what Duke needs to keep winning.
Well, it seems as if someone cracked our software code and has inserted a virus. I guess once someone discovers that Paulus cannot play defense they take advantage of it. Whats really embarrassing is the fact that Coach K leaves him in to get torched by the points guards for two games in a row now.
-
Here a few observations from tonight.
-
1. Why did Paulus jack the three pointer up fading to his left late in the game. It amazes me that Duke doesn’t give up the ball to a the hot player in the game…in this case Scheyer. They ran plays for JJ back in the days. Damn, at least if someone is hot give him the ball. This is the one thing that sucks about college basketball. They usually don’t let the hot player keep shooting. Maybe its just Duke.
-
2. The comment of the night came from dumbass Billy Packer - “Jon Scheyer is not a good shooter”. Scheyer finished with a career high and drained three’s all night. Are you an idiot Billy Packer? Don’t answer that, I already know.
-
3. Singler didn’t step up. He played like the freshman he is.
-
4. I’m not looking forward to the rest of the season as our defensive rest on Paulus to stop the point guard.
-
5. Paging Gerald Henderson…..paging Gerald Henderson. Is this guy still playing for Duke? I thought he might leave Duke after three years. He showed me tonight he’s not even close to the level I thought he was at.
Can be contributed to the refs as well as their lack of a defensive stopper on Wake’s point guard. I find it a little out of the ordinary that the entire starting lineup for Duke fouled out. Yeah, thats not too odd……
Duke downed the Terps last night in what turned out to be closer than expected in the second half. Singler helped the Duke down the stretch and closed the game with 26 points. Duke came out cold in the second half as they drove to the hoop time and time again only to come up empty handed. Paulus also had an off night from three point range….well at least compared to his recent games. He was 4-8 from behind the arc and had 20 points.
Vasquez for the Terps tried his best to keep Maryland within striking distance with 25 points but eventually faded down the stretch.
The win propels Duke to 10-0 in the ACC and has the Mac Attack talking about going undefeated in the ACC. It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future and lets hope the Devils can keep their undefeated record in tact.
Next up, the Deacons of Wake Forest.