Has everyone moved on from Friday night?

[LetsGoDuke301]

Now that we have had a couple of days to wipe our tears and come back to reality, are we excited about the tournament? I know I am.

Duke got a 1 seed and will be rested and ready to play. hopefully they can come out firing and be able to limit minutes against whoever their 16th seed will be. I actually feel a little more nervous about the St Johns mach up than any of the other teams in our bracket. Although any team is a threat to send you home.

It sucked losing to ND, but I think it could end up giving this team the wake-up call they may have needed going into the real dance.

I must say to the guy who said "this tewam will never see the final four", do you still feel that way now that your hangover is gone?

Go Duke!

 

[DukeSky85]

Im not sure what a "tewam" is, but I think this "team" can make a final four and will!

 

[DukeOrDie]

NEXT PLAY

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Dukesky. Somebody started a thread with the word tewam. Look for it.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

Yes, I had moved on from it Saturday morning. They had one bad half, that wasn't who they are and wasn't who they had been leading into that game. I think the team will be more focused than ever and will play every game of the tournament like it's a championship game.

 

[DukeSky85]

Yeah I know about the thread. I was just trying to be funny. I guess that failed. lol

 

[dadecodevil]

I moved on quick and when I saw our potential road in this tourney my heart lit up. We will not see a team with a ton of firepower until maybe elite 8. Teams with multiple shooters is what got us this year. No such team until further down the road for us.

 

[Laettner]

Winning ACCT is very nice but not something to dwell on with NCAAT this week. I was in bad mood Saturday but was fine on Sunday.

 

[Mr Blue Devil]

What was Friday night?

 

[AlanInNJ]

After the first 15 minutes of the ND game I felt like we were vulnerable for the first time in many, many weeks. I knew it could happen, that we could come out and look flat and tired. But watching it happen was painful. We looked flatter and more tired than I could ever imagine against a very good ND team. And it made me realize that sometime that energy and intensity are like lightning in a bottle. Certainly thoughts of Mercer and Lehigh crept into my thoughts.

But that was short lived.

I am confident we will bring it this weekend. I know we can string together six games. I am confident in K and the players. We are poised for a deep run. Win and advance, and then do it again.

Go Duke!

Alan

 

[Tim1515]

ND didn't bother me at all. I brought up the thread before the tourny about how important winning the ACC was. Granted a title would've been better...but any risk of injury was a serious concern to this roster playing 3 back-to-back games.

Just like beating UNC again would've been awesome...but the downside to losing to UNC would've been worse then the upside of winning.

Our second game could be tight with average outside shooting and I do think Iowa State is the best 3 seed in the tournament but I'm excited and hopeful for this team.

 

[skysdad]

I'm moving on to this Friday night.

OFC

 

[topps coach]

recently we have played lousy games at the tourney which ended our sea on. We have now had our lousy tourney game and it is now out of our system. now lets go to the FF. Go DUKE

 

[Mpm277]

The loss against ND humbled me, lol. I was super impressed with our play the past handful of weeks and after seeing the NC State game, thought we'd put a whooping on ND as well. Like some have said, maybe we've got that poor game out of our system early, but it still scares me. Having said all that, I think we're certainly capable of beating anyone in the tournament and wouldn't be surprised to see us playing April 6th.

 

[dukiejay]

Honestly, I had moved on by halftime. We made it interesting, but even during that second half run we were never able to get it under a possession.

As great as we have been in late-game situations all year it's still my biggest worry. Jah being unable to step to the line when it counts is troublesome for this team. He's the most dominant player in the college game --- outside of maybe Kaminsky --- but we have to pick spots late in the game to go to him because of his FT shooting. That's not a luxury.

And unfortunately, more than anything now, it's become mental with Jah. He's not a good FT shooter, but I don't think he's as bad as he's showing either. In fact, when they flashed that 52% number the other night I was again shocked. For a guy who makes over 50% it sure doesn't seem like it.

 

[aah555]

Originally posted by dukiejay:
Honestly, I had moved on by halftime. We made it interesting, but even during that second half run we were never able to get it under a possession.

As great as we have been in late-game situations all year it's still my biggest worry. Jah being unable to step to the line when it counts is troublesome for this team. He's the most dominant player in the college game --- outside of maybe Kaminsky --- but we have to pick spots late in the game to go to him because of his FT shooting. That's not a luxury.

And unfortunately, more than anything now, it's become mental with Jah. He's not a good FT shooter, but I don't think he's as bad as he's showing either. In fact, when they flashed that 52% number the other night I was again shocked. For a guy who makes over 50% it sure doesn't seem like it.

Yes, I'm not sure why everyone's not pulling Hack-a-Okafor every time he touches the ball in the last 5 minutes, if not earlier. He's 9 of his last 34. There's shaky -- and then there's what Okafor's been doing ever since that 0-6 collapse against UNC. While I din't object to trying to get Okafor late game looks down the stretch of the ACC season and in the conference tourney (to see if he could rebuild his confidence), I do think we've reached the point where it no longer makes sense to give him the ball in late game situations (at least in post-up situations where the other team has the opportunity to foul). At this point, he needs to be the best oversized decoy and offensive rebounder in the country. I like our odds of scoring with Tyus / Winslow creating and Okafor going for the offensive rebound far better than I do with Okafor posting up with under 4 minutes to go. If Okafor hasn't been able to handle the pressure of ACC play to date, I don't think he's suddenly going to have the switch go off in the NCAAs.

This post was edited on 3/17 12:04 PM by aah555

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

yep...had a great chance to hang a banner and failed,...we have one strike left!!!

 

[JCColsCane]

My biggest problem is that this is it. Last go around to see this team, and especially Quinn. I don' want this season to end, at least not before April 6!!
There is absolutely no way we don't reach the Elite 8 (would be a total disaster if we don't), and when we do, I totally disagree with the so called experts, whether it be Gonzaga or Iowa State, I like our chances to move on. We should be back in sync by then and getting a head of steam. And don't forget, those 2 teams are not assured of getting there! That lower half of the bracket is tough. If we get there, we are only going to see one of them!
I really expect to see a lot of emotion from this team during this Tourney, and I fully expect them to be talking on defense (every game) and playing at a level they are capable of. If they are as ready as I am, I like our chances!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[DukeDenver]

Originally posted by JCColsCane:

My biggest problem is that this is it. Last go around to see this team, and especially Quinn. I don' want this season to end, at least not before April 6!!
There is absolutely no way we don't reach the Elite 8 (would be a total disaster if we don't), and when we do, I totally disagree with the so called experts, whether it be Gonzaga or Iowa State, I like our chances to move on. We should be back in sync by then and getting a head of steam. And don't forget, those 2 teams are not assured of getting there! That lower half of the bracket is tough. If we get there, we are only going to see one of them!
I really expect to see a lot of emotion from this team during this Tourney, and I fully expect them to be talking on defense (every game) and playing at a level they are capable of. If they are as ready as I am, I like our chances!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

The experts work in Vegas, and they think we have the best shot of getting out of our bracket. The odds are in our favor until the Final 4. Next play.

 

[spike05rk]

NO! OFC

 

[DukeSky85]

I think we need to blow out that first game and make a statement.

 

[dukiejay]

Originally posted by DukeSky85:

I think we need to blow out that first game and make a statement.

We're supposed to do that.

I think an easy weekend would be more like it. We know we'll be challenged in the second game by an opponent who isn't bad, but what I'm saying is we should win that game convincingly too....where we jump out early and win by 10+ but control the game in the process. Beating whoever we play in round one (or two officially, I guess) by 25+ points doesn't really send a statement. We did that last weekend and it didn't carry over. I think to build some true momentum we need to win two games convincingly this weekend. Especially with four freshman who are going to be seeing major minutes in their first tournament.

 

[aah555]

Originally posted by dukiejay:

Originally posted by DukeSky85:

I think we need to blow out that first game and make a statement.

We're supposed to do that.

I think an easy weekend would be more like it. We know we'll be challenged in the second game by an opponent who isn't bad, but what I'm saying is we should win that game convincingly too....where we jump out early and win by 10+ but control the game in the process. Beating whoever we play in round one (or two officially, I guess) by 25+ points doesn't really send a statement. We did that last weekend and it didn't carry over. I think to build some true momentum we need to win two games convincingly this weekend. Especially with four freshman who are going to be seeing major minutes in their first tournament.

Agreed. And, as a historical note, all of Duke's deep tourney runs post-Ferry have followed dominating wins in the 2nd round. Sub 10 point wins in the second round have almost always portended defeat in the Sweet 16 or the Elite 8 (see 2011, 2009, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1998). Amazingly, you have to go back to 1990 to find the last Duke team that made it to the final four despite having a close call in the 2nd round (i.e., 7 final fours ago).

This post was edited on 3/17 4:52 PM by aah555

 

[DukeSky85]

Yeah I meant that second game. We cant just play around. We need to go hard for the full 40. I think that 2nd round game can be a blow out, but very well could be one of those we have a hard time putting away. We really need a team effort from everyone out there. Id like to see Amile be more aggressive like he was early in the season, He's a leader along with Cook. We need to do some damage.

 

[aah555]

Originally posted by DukeSky85:
Yeah I meant that second game. We cant just play around. We need to go hard for the full 40. I think that 2nd round game can be a blow out, but very well could be one of those we have a hard time putting away. We really need a team effort from everyone out there. Id like to see Amile be more aggressive like he was early in the season, He's a leader along with Cook. We need to do some damage.

IMO, it's all about defense. San Diego St. is a statistically terrible offensive team, and has been really scuffling on that end of the court for over a month. If we're in a game (ala Ga Tech / FSU) where we can't seem to consistently stop what is indisputably bad offensive team, then color me very concerned moving forward -- even if we end up winning something like 77-67 in a game that was back-and-forth most of the way. Conversely, a good performance on the defensive end would be encouraging moving forward.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

I never let the ND game bother me much. The Irish are pretty dang good, and even with us playing a miserable 1st half we had our chances to grab it late. I believe we're better off losing it to rest Jah (injury), and Quinn's (flu). The only real concern I have after it is Jah has totally had a meltdown from the ft line. It's going to be a concern at the end of games (if close). But I think our guys are poised for a deep run. How deep depends on having a little good luck.

OFC

 

[DukeSky85]

Good luck as in terms of the UNC definition? "The refs win us the games and the NCAA wants to see Duke vs Kentucky?", plus we do have a cakewalk to the final four.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I love the optimism from a lot of you guys!

I just feel like this group of guys, especially when Allen and Plumlee contribute , has a great chance of making it to the championship game. After that, it's anyone's game.

Go Duke!

 

[JCColsCane]

Originally posted by DukeDenver:

Originally posted by JCColsCane:

My biggest problem is that this is it. Last go around to see this team, and especially Quinn. I don' want this season to end, at least not before April 6!!
There is absolutely no way we don't reach the Elite 8 (would be a total disaster if we don't), and when we do, I totally disagree with the so called experts, whether it be Gonzaga or Iowa State, I like our chances to move on. We should be back in sync by then and getting a head of steam. And don't forget, those 2 teams are not assured of getting there! That lower half of the bracket is tough. If we get there, we are only going to see one of them!
I really expect to see a lot of emotion from this team during this Tourney, and I fully expect them to be talking on defense (every game) and playing at a level they are capable of. If they are as ready as I am, I like our chances!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

The experts work in Vegas, and they think we have the best shot of getting out of our bracket. The odds are in our favor until the Final 4. Next play.

Yeah, I saw that from Vegas, and it bodes well for us. The so called experts I was talking about are the announcers on the Sports shows. Even Dickie V picks Gonzaga over us. It's really Gonzaga or Iowa State to most of them, and that's where I disagree.
Like you said, next play.
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC