I can't even believe I'm making a game day thread, during Coach K's final season, for the Final Four, against our bitterly hated arch rival. Yeah I said it, HATE.
I don't know who will remember, but on my initial game thread of the season I talked about how long I've been doing this for, and what an honor it is.
If memory serves, I took over for Roshanritter (there's a blast from the past - who remembers that name?) during the 2008-2009 season which would make this my fourteenth season having the honor of doing this all for you. Now, in K's last season, I get to do my third Final Four game day thread, and hopefully, my third National Championship game day thread.
To many of you it's trivial, meaningless, I get it. But for myself, and many of us that have been around a long time, there is something traditional about it. Something rhythmic. It sounds crazy (at least to my wife lol), but I truly appreciate the honor of being able to create these - and it's not lost on me in a moment like today's. The game day thread for a final four match-up, against our fiercely hated rival; knowing any game could be K's last.
Now, let's turn to tonight's epic match-up. We all know the magnitude of today's game. The school and fans of the school that win this game will be able to carry the weight of this one, well, forever. It's well documented the two teams have never met in the NCAA tournament but how fitting it is, that they meet during K's final run.
It's tough to glean a lot from the previous two games. Duke ran the Tar Heels off their own floor in early February by 20 points (87-67) and the Tar Heels proceeded to turn right around and hand it back to Duke, spoiling Coach K's final home game inside Cameron, 94-81. Neither game was even competitive in the second half.
Can we really take anything from either of those games? I honestly don't think you can. The two teams have changed the course of their seasons with their respective play in the tournaments.
The keys to beating Carolina, in my opinion, start and end with Caleb Love and RJ Davis. Brady Manek and Armando Bacot have been consistent all year, and are going to get theirs.
It's running Love and Davis off the three point line and defending the high ball screen. Also, when Love and Davis are allowed to get going, that opens up the paint more for Bacot as they become a more balanced offense.
The story isn't that much different for Duke. Banchero and Williams have been consistent all year and Roach has really come on strong the last six weeks; more so in the tournament. But Duke needs that X-factor.
We need another big game out of AJ or Wendell - someone has to step and play that roll for us. If we're hitting perimeter shots and getting consistent scoring, Duke wins this game.
Duke enters today's match-up not only as the favorite to win today at -4, but the Vegas odds-on favorite to take home the title at +155. If I was betting today, and man I wish I was, the over under is the way I'd go. It currently sits at 151 and the two teams have gone over that in both contests this year.
Tonight's Final Four tilt is scheduled to tip at 8:49 est and will air on TBS. It's likely to tip a little later than that depending on how long game one goes.
Duke - 85
North Carolina 80
GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
