Houston and Duke

[fritzdre]

I very rarely post but wondering on everyones thoughts.

We have always tended to struggle with older more mature teams that are physical. Houston fits that bill as only 1 of the first 7 players is a true sophmore while the rest are redshirted sophomore's, Juniors, or Graduate students. They are also the top defense in the country currently. How well do you think we will fair with that kind of physical play and pressure?

 

[christophero]

This team seems much better prepared to handle this. That said, Houston is the best team we have played since Auburn and they are experienced, with 4 or 5 players from last year's game. Duke favored by 5 sounds about right.

 

[bullcity gamer]

The 4 remaining teams playing this weekend are All Worthy of Winning The National Championship.

The Winners on Saturday Night and Monday Night will be the Teams who want it The Most.

Duke and Houston are the Two Best Defensive Teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Have to make the Scrappy and Winning plays in San Antonio.

 

[sheyduke]

Dukes bigs from Flagg to Brown, Gillis, Pat and Mal will all have to rebound and score .

That is the one area Houston can not hang with Duke in . Dukes guards will have to compete with Cryer and Sharp . They are built and can shoot . If it becomes a three point shooting contest it doesn’t play into Dukes favor . They will run Dukes guards off the perimeter all night .

 

[The_Only_Blue]

It'll be a feeling out process of our offense vs their defense. They are a really good first half team because not too many teams can figure out their defense. The first few minutes will be very telling if we're up to the task. Our guards will need to be strong with the ball. They trap everything but I think our guards have enough handles and big and tall enough to look over their traps.

 

[bullcity gamer]

I would not be surprised one bit to see Flagg/James/Knueppel/Foster all split time initiating the offense on Saturday night.

Duke’s Coaching Staff will exploit the mismatches in their favor like they have been doing all season

 

[AlanInNJ]

I don't watch as much CBB as many here, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn......recently! Nothing is given, and I agree 100% this FF is stacked. Any one of these teams can put two solid games back to back and take it! However, I believe in this Duke team. We are bigger, longer, and deeper than the rest. We have what, 6 guys who could go off for 20+ on any given night? Houston's defense is going to be a challenge for sure, but our D is no slouch either. Could this game be played in the 60s? I think we will see the ball in Cooper's hands a LOT Saturday. Barring early foul trouble or a horrendous shooting night from 3, I like Duke by 12-15 Saturday and after that, I like Duke Monday night.

Yes, wearing the Duke blue glasses, I know!

 

[NCirishman]

Foster will have to be focused and not have TO’s where he’s not aware someone is behind him and that type stuff.

He’s been better the last maybe 10 games but man sometimes he’s a head scratcher, making middle school type mistakes.

 

[sheyduke]

Foster will have to be focused and not have TO’s where he’s not aware someone is behind him and that type stuff.

He’s been better the last maybe 10 games but man sometimes he’s a head scratcher, making middle school type mistakes.

All Foster has to do is be Foster and stay on his assigned man . He’s playing with house money . He’s not starting . He can come off the bench and be him .
If we’re talking about turnovers that includes the entire team even Flagg. Over Dribbling, not communicating , not getting back . That’s an entire team approach .

By the way Uzan had a quote that should fire up the entire blue devil squad ;

So it’s a bit surprising that Uzman said this about the Alabama win sending a message to Duke: “I feel like we always want to throw the first punch. It’s super-important to keep our foot on their necks !”

 

[bullcity gamer]

I don't watch as much CBB as many here, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn......recently! Nothing is given, and I agree 100% this FF is stacked. Any one of these teams can put two solid games back to back and take it! However, I believe in this Duke team. We are bigger, longer, and deeper than the rest. We have what, 6 guys who could go off for 20+ on any given night? Houston's defense is going to be a challenge for sure, but our D is no slouch either. Could this game be played in the 60s? I think we will see the ball in Cooper's hands a LOT Saturday. Barring early foul trouble or a horrendous shooting night from 3, I like Duke by 12-15 Saturday and after that, I like Duke Monday night.

Yes, wearing the Duke blue glasses, I know!

Were you outside of Charlotte (15 minutes) with your son or father at a holiday inn express for the ACC Tournament by any chance? Haha

 

[Mac9192]

The 4 remaining teams playing this weekend are All Worthy of Winning The National Championship.

The Winners on Saturday Night and Monday Night will be the Teams who want it The Most.

Duke and Houston are the Two Best Defensive Teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Have to make the Scrappy and Winning plays in San Antonio.

Agree Bull with all but the part about the team that wins it all is the one that wants it the most. This may be the most loaded final four ever, and I think they all want it. Assuming none lay an egg, I think it’s whoever makes the plays the last few minutes.

I’d love for Duke to win by at least 2-3 possessions, but I think it’s gonna be a war.

 

[bullcity gamer]

^ you are correct Mac, all 4 teams want the National Championship really bad!!! It’ll come down to who can execute the Best for 2 games in 3 days.

 

[christophero]

We are the favorite. But all 4 teams could make a case.

 

[BNM79]

Given how physical this game will be I am betting Gillis will get the most minutes off the bench.

 

[DukeDallas9192011015]

Houston is going to try to dominate the first 4 minutes and punch us in the mouth, they do that every game. We have been really good though too in the first 4 minutes, got up 16-6 on Alabama. If we can be up something like 12-5 at the under 16, I'll be feeling good.

 

[bullcity gamer]

AlanNJ if you and your son/father hung out in the lobby quite a bit at the holiday inn express and you attended the ACC Tournament a few weeks ago and were driving back home after the ACC Championship Game that same night then we crossed paths

If Large Pizza the night of the Semi Finals at 1 or 2 in the morning being given to the hotel employee rings a bell and me coming down to pick up the pizza then we met each other during the ACC Tournament haha

 

[AlanInNJ]

AlanNJ if you and your son/father hung out in the lobby quite a bit at the holiday inn express and you attended the ACC Tournament a few weeks ago and were driving back home after the ACC Championship Game that same night then we crossed paths

If Large Pizza the night of the Semi Finals at 1 or 2 in the morning being given to the hotel employee rings a bell and me coming down to pick up the pizza then we met each other during the ACC Tournament haha

Nope, sorry, that was not me. I wish I was there, but I wasn't. Maybe next year!

 

[VendboyGreg]

All I know is this game scares the hell out of me...

 

[Jjallen]

Given how physical this game will be I am betting Gillis will get the most minutes off the bench.

I actually think Gillis could be an X factor in this game. He can rebound and I think he will get open looks.

 

[Tik Tok]

Duke by 12

 

[Neue Regel]

Houston gonna find a far superior Duke team to the one they lost to a year ago. (Insert IC’er comment in this space regarding Houston player getting hurt last year while applying full stage Alzheimer’s to Duke being without two players against them in the ACC Tournament. 🙄)

But regarding the four teams this weekend, you’re talking about four of the highest rated Ken Pom teams ever if you believe in that sort of thing.

 

[dukeblue77]

I have read and listened and the consensus is Duke some implying double digit wins. We will see what happens.

 

[johnl1219]

Duke by 12

Yes, please...I hope this happens.