Folks, the season is finally over and Big Duke Balls will be taking a little break to drink, sleep and watch old Blue Devil games on DVD. I will occasionally be posting as things happen throughout the off-season. I will also do recruiting updates from time to time. If I get in the mood, I might even write a solid post here and there.
Congratulations to the Kansas Jayhawks. Amazing comeback in the end, including that clutch three with two seconds to play. The most satisfaction I got from watching the game was to see how the game ended, or rather how Memphis lost this game. No disrespect for the Tiger players, but for them to lose because of missed free throws, that was just classic.
As Duke has to live with the constant, I told you Duke can’t win with out a big man all off-season, Memphis will have to live with the, I told you the Tigers’ free throw shooting would kill them.
Why am I so happy about this? Because John Calipari told everyone and anyone who would listen that free throws didn’t matter and that they would “make them when they had to.” Well coach, you had to make them and you didn’t. The Jayahawks don’t rally if the Tigers don’t miss four straight free throws in the final two minutes. Amazing.
For Memphis, this was probably their one shot; Rose is a stud and will be a top three pick next year. He won’t be staying. I wouldn’t be shocked if Douglas-Roberts go pro as well. Dorsey, I don’t know about him. Next year, Memphis does have a solid PF coming in, Angel Garcia (5-star), but who’s going to play guard? Keep in mind, this is conference USA, who’s going to overtake them?
The Jayhawks could become the next Gators, since only two of the guys on the floor tonight are seniors. Rush will probably leave early, but Self has a solid class of freshman coming in next year, including three 4-star players.
Any last word on Duke? Of course.
After watching the final four, it is clear Duke basketball has fallen off a little. Yes, some people would say a lot and they be absolutely right. However, the reason I say a little is because for the Blue Devils, it’s all about missing one piece of the puzzle; a legit big man (two would be nice). Again, imagine what this team could have done if they landed Patterson? Unfortunately, there’s no solution coming in next season. Olek Czyz is strong (235) and full of energy, but he’s not the solution. Unless Thomas/Zoubek can make leaps and bounds, then Duke will continue to have that gapping hole in the middle.
