Ohio State vs. Syracuse Preview

Well, my buddy Jeff had no service at the TD Garden (exhibit A as to why BlackBerries are silly), so we were deprived of live tweeting – a very unfortunate occurrence.  I split my picks 2-2 from Thursday’s games, thanks to Louisville housing Michigan State and Marquette playing incredibly poorly.

Today, I’m gonna give you a breakdown (position by position and coaching/intangibles) of the only game that anyone in Central New York cares about – the women’s Sweet 16 matchup between South Carolina and Stanford.

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And by that I mean Ohio State vs. Syracuse.

Point Guard: Aaron Craft (OSU) vs. Scoop Jardine

I think this is the most important matchup in the game – if good Scoop shows up, I think SU has a great chance to win the game.  Craft is one of the best defenders in college basketball and a pretty good shooter when he decides he wants to shoot (which is not that often).  Scoop went 14/4 with only one turnover against Wisconsin.  He shouldn’t turn the ball over a lot in this game because the pace of the game is not going to be too fast.  Craft is more consistent, but what Scoop shows up?

Edge:  Push

Shooting Guard: William Buford (OSU) vs. Brandon Triche

Buford is a knockdown shooter, although his percentages are down this year (35.6% from 3).  He’s shot 37.5% (6/16) in the three tournament games.  Buford will get some open looks in this game – SU will have to extend to him and try to make his shots tougher.  Triche had his best game in a while (11 points in 19 minutes) against Wisconsin.  He was aggressive attacking the basket and knocked down a three.  Triche has a strength advantage so he’ll have to use that in the game tonight.  I think Buford’s been more consistent and is a more explosive scorer.

Edge:  Ohio St.

Small Forward: Lenzelle Smith, Jr. (OSU) vs. Kris Joseph

Smith is a glue guy – he only averages 6.3 ppg, but he put up 15 points and hit three 3′s against Cincinnati.  Joseph has been cold for a while – his last good shooting night was at UCONN.  He’s been getting to the line a lot recently (save for last game), averaging 6.6 free throw attempts over the last five games.  Joseph must continue to stay aggressive and get to the line.  The main problem is that Joseph tends to not perform his best in the big games – that must change today.

Edge:  Syracuse

Power Forward: DeShaun Thomas (OSU) vs. C.J. Fair

Thomas is Ohio State’s second best player.  He can score from anywhere on the court and shoots 36% from three and 74% from the foul line.  Thomas needs to be kept in check in order for Syracuse to win the game.  CJ finally played a good game after being cold for the last few – 15 points and 7 rebounds against Wisconsin, and once again, Fair displayed his great nose for the ball.  Fair won’t have the athleticism advantage against Thomas that he did against Wisconsin.  Thomas is a beast and has proven that game in and game out.

Edge:  Ohio State

Center: Jared Sullinger (OSU) vs. Rakeem Christmas

Really?

Edge:  Ohio State

Bench: Evan Ravenel, Sam Thompson, and Shannon Scott (OSU) vs. Dion Waiters, James Southerland, and Baye Keita

Ohio State only played 6 guys (for all intents and purposes) against Cincinnati and 7 guys against Gonzaga.  If there’s any foul trouble for Ohio State, it could be a problem – especially if the fouls are to the big guys (Sullinger and Thomas).  Dion’s been the most consistent SU player over the last five games and is the most explosive player on the court on either team.  Southerland’s going to need to step up and hit some big shots, and Keita needs to take up space, alter shots, and rebound.

Edge:  Syracuse

Coaching: Thad Matta (OSU) vs. Jim Boeheim

This is Thad’s third Elite 8.  He has a record of 1-1, losing with Xavier and winning with Ohio State in 2007.  Boeheim’s 3-1 in the Elite 8, but he’s also 15-7 in second round NCAA tournament games.  Combined, that’s 18-8 when Boeheim coaches in the second game of an NCAA tournament bracket grouping (I don’t know what to call it, so I hope that makes sense).  It’s very hard for unfamiliar teams to devise a solid gameplan to beat the zone with short preparation.  Boeheim keeps it simple and lets his players play, which is the right thing to do here.

Edge:  Syracuse

Prediction:

This game is going to be close.  The offensive performances over the last three halves by Syracuse show that they have finally figured out their strengths – they’re playing their best offensive ball of the season right now.  Ohio State has been up and down, both in this season and during the NCAA tournament.  They have a better starting five, but their bench is unproven.  All told, I think Ohio State pulls this out in a close one.  OSU 71, Syracuse 68.

-GJ

Sweet 16 Live Updates

Hello all,

My buddy @jrickert27 (blog at http://capitalistsports.wordpress.com/) is en route to the TD Garden for the Sweet 16 action tonight and will be live-tweeting from the game.  Yes, we’re going to Simmons the crap out of this.  Follow him for sarcastic observations and general silliness – and yes, what it’s like to be at the arena watching Cuse-Wisconsin and Cincy-Ohio State.

-GJ

Sweet 16 Preview: Friday Night’s Games

Well if that wasn’t the worst start to March Madness in my lifetime, I don’t know which year was. My Dukies got outplayed and out-hustled and didn’t even deserve to win that game, props to LeHigh. As GJ took some shots about me coming out of “hiding,” he fails to realize I still have his Syracuse T-shirt he bought and I may light flame to it if they keep advancing! Now back to the business: Friday Night Sweet 16 games!

South Region: (10) Xavier vs (3) Baylor

The first game of the Sweet 16 games Friday Night and in my opinion the most intriguing matchup, and probably the only game that can come down to the wire.  Xavier has been playing well beating ND and Lehigh so far in the tournament.  Xavier’s star Tu Holloway isn’t disappointing, scoring 25 the first game and 21 vs Lehigh. 7 foot center Kenny Frease also added 25 points vs Lehigh and will be crucial in containing Baylor’s size down low.  So far Baylor has not impressed me.  Brady Heslip is their leading scorer in the tournament and drained a ridiculous amount of threes against Colorado.  To me Perry Jones and Quincy Acy are going to have to step up.  I don’t think if Heslip is the leading scorer again they will win.  Baylor all year has to been known to look great at times, then look like crap the next day.  Friday I think Baylor comes to play, but gets outplayed by the best player on the court Tu Holloway.

Prediction: (10) Xavier 70 (3) Baylor 65

MidWest Region: (13) Ohio vs (1) North Carolina

It’s a killer to get a serious injury to a key player before the tournament.  It’s even worse to lose a leader while you’re making a potential National Championship run. North Carolina will more than likely be without senior PG and NCAA Assists leader, Kendall Marshall. Marshall has been spectacular so far in the tournament and would be a crucial blow to the Tar Heels IF they were playing any other team other than Ohio.  Seriously … OHIO?? I think UNC will pace the game and possibly beat up on Ohio even with Marshall’s absence.  I say UNC sits Marshall, let him rest, because they don’t need him!

Prediction: (13) Ohio 50 (1) UNC 67

South Region: (4) Indiana vs (1) Kentucky

Early in the year Indiana hit a buzzer-beating 3 to shock the Wildcat Nation and upset the top team in the country, handing them their single and only loss. Do you think Kentucky forgot? NO! Can Indiana beat Kentucky again?? Obviously they CAN if they did already. Will they beat Kentucky again?? Probably not.  I just don’t see how. Kentucky is playing too good and too balanced. Davis/Jones/MKG down low will be too much for Indiana’s Cody Zeller to handle on Friday night. IF Indiana hits the 3 ball they can stay in this game, IF they don’t then this game will be a blowout.

Prediction: (4) Indiana 56 (1) Kentucky 68

MidWest Region: (12) NC STATE vs (2) Kansas

I think NC State is playing with a lot of emotion and energy. I think Kansas is playing for Thomas Robinson and his family. He recently lost his mother to a heart attack and you won’t see another player playing with more emotion than Mr. Robinson.  I think this is a bad matchup for NC State being outmatched at nearly every position.  Kansas also has the better coach in Bill Self to manage and control the game.  I think NC State will be held in check on offense and get in foul trouble on defense. Thomas Robinson is too much to handle Friday Night.

Prediction: (12) NC State 48 (2) Kansas 62

My buddy must have been nice and left me with the easy picks to make, thank you GJ!

We will be back with an Elite 8 preview after the Sweet 16 games wrap up!

-GL

Sweet 16 Preview: Thursday Night’s Games

Well, the greatest four days in sports just passed.  In a perplexing twist, GL is nowhere to be found!  He’s probably on some remote island snuggling with Coach K and Austin Rivers’ 3-point shooting.  That leaves me to break down the Sweet 16 matchups, starting with the Thursday games.

East Region:  (4) Wisconsin vs. (1) Syracuse

This is probably the toughest game to call in the Sweet 16.  Wisconsin does so many things well that are necessary to beat the ‘Cuse – they play great D, they slow the game down, they shoot well, they don’t turn it over, and they have one guy (Jordan Taylor) who can make garbage 26-footers when the shot clock is running down.  However, I don’t think just shooting well beats this SU team – Wisconsin needs to shoot lights out, and to some extent, they have the personnel to do it.  The ‘Cuse has gotten great minutes from James Southerland (double figures in three of the last four games), but Kris Joseph hasn’t shot the ball well of late.  SU absolutely must keep Wisconsin off the offensive boards in order to win this game, and I think they can do it.

Prediction:  SU 61, Wisconsin 55

East Region:  (6) Cincinnati vs. (2) Ohio State

Cincinnati is playing their best ball of the season.  They made the Big East tournament finals and beat a really good Florida State team to make the Sweet 16.  The first half against SU showed how good the team can be if they’re consistently making shots – especially Kilpatrick, Wright, and Dixon.  Ohio State struggled a bit with Gonzaga, but in the end there was too much of Jared Sullinger.  Both of these teams are great defensively, and Aaron Kraft should be able to keep Cashmere Wright from consistently getting into the lane.  I think that the difference in the game is that Ohio State is looking to avenge its Sweet 16 loss from last season against Kentucky – the team is one year old and one year hungrier.

Prediction:  Ohio State 68, Cincinnati 60

West Region:  (4) Louisville vs. (1) Michigan State

I think Louisville is finally getting back to where they were early in the season when they were ranked as high as #4 before hitting a rough patch.  Siva has elevated his game (as evidenced in the Big East Tournament, when he won the MVP) and his supporting cast is contributing nicely.  Chane Behanan is a beast inside and is going to be a star in the Big East next year.  For Michigan State, Draymond Green has turned into a first-team All-American candidate.  He led the team in points and rebounds and was second in assists in the regular season, and he only threw up a triple-double in the first round against LIU-Brooklyn.  Both teams are fairly deep, but Michigan State is stronger up front and Louisville is stronger at the guard position.  Ultimately, Michigan State has the best player on the court, and Green will carry them to a victory.

Prediction:  Michigan State 71, Louisville 67

West Region:  (7) Florida vs. (3) Marquette

This has the possibility of being the most entertaining game in the Sweet 16.  Florida gets up and down the court and has some of the quickest guards in the country in Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker.  Bradley Beal is going to be a great player in the NBA and is one of the best rebounding guards in the country, as well.  Florida is out one of their big men, Will Yeguete, but Florida has played very well without him.  As for Marquette, we know Jae Crowder is their best player and that they’ve been playing very well recently.  They’re extremely tough defensively, and their length at the guard spot could pose a challenge to Boynton, Walker and Mike Rosario, who are all less than 6’2″.  Marquette is a bit weaker inside, as Florida sports Patric Young, one of the most athletic big dudes in the country.  This should be an up-and-down contest with lots of threes and lots of runs.  Ultimately, Marquette is the more balanced team and I like them to make the Elite 8.

Prediction:  Marquette 82, Florida 72

So there you have it.  I’ll send a smoke signal to GL to see if he’ll preview Friday’s Sweet 16 matchups.

-GJ

Inside Look: Syracuse vs. Kentucky

There has been much controversy lately surrounding Syracuse and Kentucky.  People from Syracuse feel that no one gives them credit and their team is being overlooked nationally.  In defense, they make comparisons to the best team in the country, Kentucky.

Numbers don’t lie:

Syracuse: 78 PPG, 36 RPG, 17 APG, 10 SPG, 7 BPG, 11 TPG, 48% from the field, 69% from the FT line, and 35% from downtown.

Kentucky: 78 PPG, 40 RPG, 13 APG, 7 SPG, 9 BPG, 12 TPG, 48% from the field, 72% from the FT line, and 37% from downtown.

Eye Test: Looking at the numbers proves these teams are quite similar. Two high caliber teams, but is it that easy? Do we stop our comparison just based on how the teams have produced thus far? NO, we try matching up the teams and see how they will play against one another, so here we go …

I want to start off by saying I am trying my best to keep bias out, and it’s terribly difficult to compare and contrast these teams because of the depth factor.  Syracuse has 10 players getting double digit minutes or greater compared to Kentucky with only 7. Come tournament time I see some players minutes cut down greatly for Syracuse (XMAS, Baye, MCW, Southerland), while I feel Kentucky will keep theirs about the same.  I do think this will alter Syracuse’s game a little bit but shouldn’t be a major concern.

Position by Position breakdown:

Point Guard: Edge (Syracuse)

As of right now I give a slight edge to Syracuse behind Scoop (23 MPG)/Waiters (23 MPG)/Triche (22 MPG) rotating at PG. Kentucky plays primarily one point guard: Marquis Teague (33 MPG).  I think Triche’s minutes will be cut down during the tournament, and also late it games … I see him being a non factor.  As of now Scoop is playing better ball than Marquis.  Maybe it’s because Marquis is a freshman, maybe not, but I can’t argue that the Orange are running a better PG right now. Kentucky will be better off in the long haul.

Shooting Guard: Edge (Kentucky)

This right here is basically a matchup between Waiters and Doron Lamb. There numbers are roughly similar, EXCEPT for FT’s and the 3 ball, Lamb dominates those categories.  Lamb also has an experience edge over Waiters that people are failing to take into account.  Let’s please remember this is the same Dion Waiters that as a freshman looked HORRIBLE.

Forwards: Edge (Kentucky)

The forwards matchup between the two teams comes down to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist & Terrance Jones vs Kris Joseph and CJ Fair.  I DON’T THINK THIS MATCHUP IS EVEN CLOSE. MKG is getting POTY attention, while TJones was getting preseason POTY attention.  Joseph and Fair are grabbing roughly 10 RPG combined, while MKG and TJones roughly grab 15 RPG.  It will be very hard for them to matchup when MKG and Tjones get the ball down low. Joseph is used to playing on the perimeter but if he does against Kentucky they will pay.

Centers: Edge (Kentucky)

This matchup features Anthony Davis and Fab Melo. Let’s be serious, I don’t think Fab Melo has the offensive game, brain, or smarts to do ANYTHING productive here. He will probably get into foul trouble like he did vs Drummond and look like his old self.  Anthony Davis won’t allow SU to drive or get the ball down low and they will have to take more jumpers, which they do too much of anyways.

Summary –

All in all I know I forgot some players in the comparisons (Wiltjer from Kentucky, Southerland, Baye from Syracuse, Xmas from Syracuse). I don’t think Boeheim is going to keep up with the depth he has shown thus far.  Kentucky has been steady with its players and lineups and will continue on the same pace. I just don’t think SU will be able to hang around unless they bury jump shots.  Kentucky provides a TERRIBLE rebounding problem for Syracuse, who has enough trouble struggling on their own already. Lamb knocks down the 3 ball at 48% which somebody will have to guard (who knows who).

Yes Syracuse has beat everyone they have faced with a full healthy lineup, this shows promise. Kentucky has struggled winning some close games, but what do you expect from a team full of freshman? Kentucky WILL ONLY GET BETTER, and that is SCARY.

Overall I will say Kentucky is a better team. Syracuse has the edge in depth, but come Tournament time that is irrelevant unless there is foul trouble. Davis/MKG/TJones will provide nightmares for that ZONE while kicking it out to Lamb.  Marquis Teague has the quickness and basketball knowledge to get into that zone and create opportunities.  Who on Syracuse will step up? Is Kjo going to sit at the 3 point line and pray they go in again? That’s the only shot Syracuse has to win a game vs Kentucky.

-GL

ACC vs Big East, The Regular and Post Season Breakdown!

I keep hearing talk that the ACC “sucks” and the ACC “doesn’t compare” to the Big East. Things like “It doesn’t matter come Tourney time because the ACC will do nothing.” It annoys me and quite frankly  the comments are erroneous and false. All the hate towards the ACC is irrelevant come tournament time regardless of the fact that the Big East has been proven to consistently get more teams in than the ACC. I will breakdown the last 5 NCAA Tournaments and what the relevance is later in my article. First, Lets breakdown the ACC’s and Big East’s top 4 teams this year, and how I think they will fair come the tournament.

ACC Breakdown:

Duke —- Key Wins:  Mich State, Michigan, Kansas, Virginia, UNC

Bad Losses: FSU, Miami

Projected #2 in latest bracketology

My Duke Blue Devils. In the middle of the year they lacked the hustle, and defensive mentality that Coach K’s prior teams have had in the past.  With that said, they’ve had some quality wins at neutral sites, and also just beat a dominant UNC team at home.  Duke is rolling with some swagger now and that fire is back in their eyes. I feel this team will go as far as Rivers can take them.  I don’t see them getting bounced early because there’s too much talent, but I’ve seen it before.

 

UNC —-  Key Wins: Mich State, Wisconsin

—-Also lost to #1 Kentucky by 1

Bad Losses: UNLV

Projected #2 in latest bracketology

Arguably the most dominant frontcourt in college hoops behind Zeller, Barnes, and Henson.  Depth is the struggle here, but come March Coaches really don’t go to their bench much often. I see Carolina strolling into the final 4 with relative ease. From there, who knows.

 

FSU —-   Key Wins: Duke, UNC, Virginia

—-Also lost by 2 to #4 UCONN in OT

Bad Losses: Princeton, BC

Projected #6 in latest bracketology

Well they torched UNC at home, and beat Duke on the road.  I think both were flukes.  UNC didn’t come to play, and they hit a buzzer beater vs Duke, Kudos.  I don’t see them advancing further than the Sweet 16, IF THAT.

 

Virginia —- Key Wins:  Michigan

Bad Losses: TCU

Projected #7 in latest bracketology

I like this Virginia team. It’s been a while since they were exciting to watch (Singletary days).  I think they will make it to the sweet 16 and then get bounced.

 

BE Breakdown:

SU —-     Key Wins: Florida, Marquette,  Gtown

Bad Losses: None

Projected #1 in latest bracketology

Here we go. They’re only loss was without Fab Melo. They have beaten nobody difficult on the road and all their key wins came at home.  They constantly get outrebounded and have bad shot selection.  I think their talent alone can carry them into the elite 8, but I’m not sure how much farther past that it can take them.  This rebounding factor will catch up to them when a Coach gameplans for it, and they won’t keep getting lucky down the stretch when they don’t capatilize.  It’s the tournament, anything can happen.  One good thing for SU fans is at least you know you’re dancing this year, haha.

 

Gtown —-  Key Wins:  Memphis, Alabama, Louisville, Marquette

Bad Losses: Cinci

Projected  #3 in latest bracketology

Projected as a #3? I think this team is highly overrated.  I honestly have no reasoning, just not sold.  A team that can’t capitalize to win a game when the home team doesn’t score the last 5 minutes boggles my mind.  I guess they can advance to the Sweet 16 but not much farther.

 

Marq —-  Key Wins: Wisconsin, Louisville

Bad Losses:  LSU

Projected #4 in latest bracketology

I HATE MARQUETTE. I see them getting upset early. If Odom and Crowder get hot, they will make it no farther than the sweet 16.

 

LVille —-  Key Wins: Vandy

Bad Losses: ND

Projected #5 in latest bracketology

I like Louisville and Pitino. I think he’s a top coach and will get potential from these kids. They can hit the 3 and hustle, sweet 16 bound AT THE LEAST.

 

Now let’s look at a statistical breakdown of the past 5 NCAA Tournaments focusing on the number of teams in from each conference (BE and ACC), Which team went the furthest, and how many teams were featured in the Sweet 16.

2011:  11 BE Teams, 4 ACC Teams

Which Team went Farthest? UNC Elite 8. UCONN National Champs.

Sweet 16 featured:  3 ACC Teams and 2 BE Teams

2010:  8 BE Teams, 4 ACC Teams

Which Team went Farthest? Duke National Champs.  West Va Final 4.

Sweet 16 Featured: 2 BE Teams and 1 ACC Team

2009:   7 BE Teams, 7 ACC Teams

Which team went Farthest? UNC National Champs.  UCONN, Nova Final 4.

Sweet 16 Featured: 5 BE Teams,  2 ACC Teams

2008:   7 BE Teams (NOT FEATURING SU), 4 ACC Teams

Which team went Farthest? UNC Final 4. Louisville Elite 8.

Sweet 16 feautured: 3 BE Teams and 1 ACC Team

2007:    6 BE Teams (NOT FEATURING SU), 6 ACC Teams

Which team went Farthest? UNC Elite 8. GTOWN Final 4.

Sweet 16 Featured:  2 BE Teams and 1 ACC Team

CUM TOTALS (Last 5 years): 

39 BE Teams make the dance

25 ACC Teams make the dance

Champions: Uconn (2011), Duke (2010), UNC (2009)

Total number of Sweet 16’s: 8 for ACC, 14 BE

What can be taken from all of this?

It’s obvious over the years that the Big East has been more powerful and have gotten more teams into the dance.  The Big East has also gotten more teams into the sweet 16.  The one thing the Big East does not have is more champions.

I could’ve rolled with the Duke/UNC combo to go farther every single year in the tourney over the whole entire Big East and would have been right 3 of the last 5 years.  THAT’S UNC/DUKE VS THE WHOLE BIG EAST, WHO HAS GONE FURTHER.

It’s almost irrelevant the number of teams the Big East has gotten in because very few have success.  Duke and UNC have continued success, either or, compared to the disparity in the Big East. You never know which team will make a run which year.  It has been proven to vary and there’s little consistency.  UNC and Duke provide consistency to a mediocre conference.  We know what we will get from Duke and UNC, we know one will generally have an impact come tournament time.

Who would I roll with this year to advance further? ACC or Big East?

Well the ACC will probably get 4-5 teams in the dance. The Big East will probably get 7-9 teams in the dance. Granted the Big East has more teams, like usual, but I’ll roll with my ACC this year.  I think UNC is the second best team in the nation and have arguably one of the best players in the nation with Harrison Barnes.  Big players play big in big situations. We saw UNC last year make that run out of nowhere, well it can happen again but this time teams will know about them.  I like Duke to do well also. I really don’t know how much success they will have because they have been shaky thus far.  If Rivers continues to improve and they knock down the 3 I think they can make it to the Elite 8.  FSU and Virginia I don’t think will be a factor because I don’t see them having relevance. As far as the Big East goes: I honestly don’t see one Big East team making the elite 8, other than Syracuse, unless a team catches on fire late (Uconn of last year).  Syracuse has all the pieces but they don’t have the keys to what it takes to win come tournament time.  They can’t shoot the 3 well, even though they think they can, and there rebounding is VERY poor. This will catch up to them and they will get out-Coached. You would think UCONN or Pitt will make a run, but I don’t even know if they will get in the tournament at this point.

All in all. The number of teams a conference gets in the tournament is irrelevant. GREAT is says the conference did better in the regular season than another, but that means nothing come the tournament. The ACC has the bigger and better powerhouses, Duke and UNC, and I will take them to advance farther than anyone in the Big East every year.

Go Duke today at 4 vs Maryland, CHECK OUT THERE UNIS!!

-GL

Rivers, Duke, SHOCK UNC … and ME!

I’m going to be honest, not one ounce of me felt Duke would be able to pull off that win in Chapel Hill last night. I wouldn’t say how I felt because I’d never go against my team, but I must admit, I was worried.  Duke typically struggles against fast-breaking teams and good frontcourts, UNC has both traits. They arguably have the best frontcourt in the nation ( besides Kentucky), and love to move the ball in transition and get going on fastbreak. I knew Duke needed to make the 3 early and often to contend.  My biggest worry then became: How to deal with all the criticism IF Duke lost and Syracuse won …

Unfortunately for my personal liking, Syracuse was able to squeak by rival Georgetown in overtime despite shooting 35% and being outrebounded by a wide margin.  They escaped yet another close home game I feel they deserved to lose (other being West Va). I immediately went to twitter claiming that Syracuse didn’t deserve to win.  My reasoning: Poor shot selection, little hustle, didn’t score last 4:37 of the game, and were dominated on the boards. YET, they still found a way to win. Joseph exploded for 29, and Fab came on late to spark the Orange. But honestly if Joseph didn’t get lucky with all the 3′s how bad could the loss have been? Waiters was surely doing everything he could to lose them the game, chucking up hail mary 3s at the end with defenders in his face altering the shots.  As was Scoop, Triche (was he even playing??), and every other significant player on the team. I can go on for days but my parter GJ has ranted enough about Syracuse … Now to Duke …

Austin Rivers saved me of MUCH criticism … or so I thought. The Freshman’s 3 to win the game as time expired were 3 of his career high 29 points.  Down by 10+ most of the second half this Duke team FINALLY looked like prior teams under Coach K.  I was finally impressed.  Early in the year the Blue Devils had big wins on neutral courts: Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State. I was impressed then, but this game was different. They hustled, shot the 3 well, and never gave up! They put themselves in position to win the game, and a big player stepped up at the right time.  I was wondering when Mr. Rivers coming out party was going to be, IT’S ABOUT TIME KID!!

What I got out of this game: I think this is a great sign for the NCAA Tournament. I feel UNC is a top 4 team and will go far. They have all the pieces. Duke outplayed them on this givin night.  Duke wanted it more at the end of the game.  Let’s not forget Duke got out to a hot start and UNC wasn’t able to jump on them early.  To start the second half it looked bad from a Duke fan’s perspective.  Then this Duke team transformed and had the swagger of prior teams under Coach K.  Maybe it was Coach K disabling social networking sites for the players? Who knows. They definitely looked more focused and hustled harder.  This proves to me they can compete with anyone in the country.  Rivers loves the big stage and will be able to step up in the Tournament.  They have all the keys: Shoot the 3, have decent bigs (Plumlee quietly having a monster year), and are well coached.

I was surprised to go on Twitter after the game and people were giving Austin Rivers much credit.  Some tweeters even were giving me credit on my prediction: Duke needs to hit ALOT of 3s to stay in.  They did. BUT, this morning there were still naysayers and non-believers … for what reason? Because I felt Syracuse didn’t deserve to win? Or because you couldn’t stand to give Duke credit for a win that they deserved??

Here are some of the tweets … I will address each individually …

“duke recntly lost to miami n florida st…an overrated UNC team that lost to florida st by 35+ handed u game”

—-Yes I know who Duke has lost too. I never said they were the best team in the nation. The game wasn’t handed to Duke they played their hearts out to take it from UNC.

“we win every game even when we are outrebounded by 20 what do u know about heart duke has 0 they win first big game of yr”

—-Well that’s not true because you lost to ND. Syracuse’s competition is weak. BE is down. First big game of the year?? Uh Hello … Have you seen Duke’s schedule!?

“I think me saying we steamroll teams is closer to reality them saying the ACC (besides unc) does ANYTHING in ncaa’s”

—I’ll remember that. SU hasn’t advanced farther than Duke in the NCAA Tourney since 2003. SINCE 2003.

I’m sick of arguing. Let’s cherish the moments. Last nights UNC/Duke game and finish was one of the best in a LONG time.  Amazing to watch … Duke led whole first half, UNC tookover, Duke came back. Typical for the best rivalry in college sports. Kudos to Rivers. Great game, will determine Duke’s faith this year.

-GL