Filed under: Duke Game, Duke Recap | Tags: Coaches vs. Cancer, Duke vs Michigan
Actually Cancer lives on, but Duke did beat Presbyterian, Georgia Southern, Southern Illinois and Michigan to win the 2008 Coaches vs Cancer Tournament Title.
The Devils improved to 5-0 for the season, but let’s be honest, no one is going to be impressed. Duke wins in November. Duke doesn’t win in March, just ask Andy Katz. Obviously, we can’t blame anyone for thinking this way. Until Duke drives deep into March, that will be the theme of ’08-09. The Blue Devils could start 15-0 and that will be the theme. Deal with it.
RANDOM RANTS
- Look who just showed up, Nolan Smith. Don’t get me wrong, he’s played well so far this season, but this game, he was in complete control. He scored (16 points), he rebounded (five) and he actually dished it out (four assists). Most importantly, he played suffocating defense. Michigan’s point guards could never get their offense going. Speaking of Nolan, I never knew this but Smith was thinking about leaving Duke this past summer. Luckily for us, Coach K obviously read Big Duke Balls last year and took my advice about putting in Nolan Smith as the starting point guard.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Chris Lowery, Duke vs. Southern Illinois
“Animals. They’re f—– animals.”
- Chris Lowery, Head Coach of Southern Illinois prior to facing Duke. (CNNSI)
Filed under: Duke Recap | Tags: Duke, Gerald Henderson, Southern Illinois
Now that’s a way to watch a game.
Yours truly got front row seats at tonight’s Duke/Southern Illinois game at Madison Square Gardens. I sat directly across from the Duke bench and I may be mistaken, but I think Coach K was winking at me.
All I can say is wow, an experience unlike any other. Took every ounce of strength to not jump in for a rebound (I got mad hops, coach). Not only do you hear everything from the players (Gerald calls Scheyer, “John.” I’m not sure why I’m disappointed in that), coaches (Mike limited the swears tonight) and refs, you feel everything. It really makes me hate envious of Spike Lee (although you couldn’t give me those seats to a Knicks game, even with Duhon).
While I tend to act like an adult when I go to games (as oppose to at home where I throw fits of rage), you can’t help but get involved when you’re in the ‘Spike Lee’ seats. You can’t help but yell at the refs, encourage the players and imitate Coach K. If he yells a set play, you yell it with him. “21!, 21!”. For the record, 21 didn’t work. The Salukis scored against it. (more…)
Filed under: Duke Game, Prediction | Tags: Coaches vs. Cancer, Duke, Southern Illinois
Good times, folks. I’ll be leaving for MSG in a couple hours, looking forward to my first live Duke game since last season’s heartbreaking defeat to Pittsburgh. Tonight, the Devils face off against the ‘next Gonzaga’, Southern Illinois. The Salukis may lack in star power, but they make up for it in solid play, particularly on the defensive side. Duke will have to have plenty of patience as Southern Illinois will slow this game down to a halt.
The positive for the Devils is, they don’t overlook anyone, which could easily happen to a lot of teams, especially with a potential match up with UCLA coming up Friday. Tonight for the Blue Devils, it’s all about defying their roles. I’ll have my eye on Henderson the most. The G-Man has yet to find his stride, so look for him to have his best game yet.
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Wow, what a frustrating game to witness. Duke won by three, but man it was not fun. After Duke ran off 11-straight to end the first half (getting within one), I was ready to relax, but the Rams wouldn’t quit. They came in, not with a swagger, but with a confidence I rarely see from a non-conference foe. To make it worse, they were wearing those God-awful baby blues that some other team also wears.
Everytime it looked like Duke was ready to make a run in the secondh half, Jimmy Baron (right) personally stuck a three-point dagger through my heart. I finally started to feel the pain all those Reddick haters felt. I was forced to stand and pace as the Rams shot 80% from the floor in the first 12 minutes of the second half. I was already prepared to title my post “66-1″ after Duke’s defeat, referring to their first non-conference loss in Cameron in 67 games. In the end, Singler and Scheyer took over, Baron finally fell apart at the end (travel, missed two, missed half court shot), and Duke earned a tough three-point win.
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Filed under: Word On The Street | Tags: Duke Recruiting, Ranking, Southern Illinois
I find, you read. It is that simple.
- Can Duke remain a Top-Ten team? (Bleacher Report)
- Bring on the Devils (The Southern)
- Duke falling short in early recruiting (ESPN)
Didn’t get a chance to watch Duke’s 33-point win. I’m know, it sucks. Sometimes life works out that way. Obviously because I didn’t see it, I can’t comment on it. I had to read the recap just like everyone else. However, there were somethings I found interesting.
- Coach K didn’t play a freshman in the first half. This was probably a good move. Their play was a little erratic in the first game and this appeared to be a good way to settle them down. For the record, the three rookies played a combined 37 minutes in the second half, scoring 11 points (4-7) and an amazing 19 rebounds. Elliot Williams pulled down 11 by himself. With those kind of rebound numbers, Williams is reminding me of a young DeMarcus.
- The Big’s (Zoubek, Thomas, Plumlee). The 7-footer got the start, but all three played. Their stat line, 16 points, 14 rebounds (8 offensive) to nine fouls. Without watching the game, I can’t fairly judge their performance, but the stats were decent.
- Duke rediscovered the three line. After shooting only 11 threes yesterday, they shot 19, making eight.
- Only 11 turnovers. Much better after 21 giveaways Monday night.
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The AP said it best, “Only at Duke could there be so much dissatisfaction with a 30-point victory.”
It’s not that I was dissatisfied, but this team did not “leave it all out on the floor” last night. Granted, this was only Presbyterian, but great teams play great against everyone, even the bad schools. Having said that, there was plenty to be excited about.
RANDOM RANTS:
- Somebody’s been hitting the gym. In fact, many people have. Singler had 30 extra pounds of muscle, Thomas had nearly 20 himself. Henderson, Smith and Scheyer had toned up. A stronger team is a better team.
- Singler and Scheyer stoled the show. Granted, Singler missed seven shots, but four were easy lay ups. I don’t think he’ll be missing many of those. Singler looked like he was finally playing his natural position, while Scheyer looked good with the mid-range jumper. However, he needs to remember where the 3-pt line is.
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I find ‘em, you read ‘em
- Devils talking Title (Southern Headlines)
- Duke ready for redemption (NBC Sports)
- Coach K is feisty and ready (News & Record)
