Nerves

[DukeOrDie]

I know a lot of you have voiced your optimism about tonight's game. I am tentatively optimistic as well as long as we play like we have been. I've found myself getting more and more nervous as game time closes in. I had planned on watching all the pregame shows but I honestly had to get my mind on something else for a little bit. I'm currently at the movies waiting to see the new Fast and Furious flick. Starts at 2:30 over at 5. It'll be a perfect distraction for my mind.

Anyone else feeling the nerves of the big game day?

 

[Willcampbell]

I've gotten to the point where I can't watch until I see we're up by at least ten with eight minutes to go. I feel like a jinx, so I check the score periodically while watching Lifetime with the wife or doing some other horseshit around the house. As soon as I turned on the Gonzaga game, the Zags scored six straight, so I went back to doing scuba gear maintenance for five minutes. Then all was OK. Plus, my heart just can't take it anymore. I know...pathetic. But true.
OFC
GO DUKE!!!!

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

I'm honestly not nervous at all. I feel exactly the same as I did in 2010. I tend to start to get a little nervous during the game.

 

[DukeDenver]

We have already lived up to my most optimistic of expectations. No one can criticize the job K's done. We've got nothing to lose in my eyes. Play hard and whatever happens is fine by me.

 

[acc hoops]

The pressure was to win last Sunday punching last ticket to Indy. Players will play loose today.
I think Cook and JO will have great games and if Winslow and M jones can slow,down Dawson and Valentine Duke will be fine.
Don't give Forbes any open looks and stay close to Trimble and defense should hold Spartans to under 65 points.
I am optimistic about today. Duke can play Big Ten type of game but I do not think Spartans can play ACC type game.

 

[youngman42]

Originally posted by DukeDenver:
We have already lived up to my most optimistic of expectations. No one can criticize the job K's done. We've got nothing to lose in my eyes. Play hard and whatever happens is fine by me.

Agreed.

I like our chances - the one thing I hope does not happen is that we don't get blown out (either today, or if we win today, on Monday).

But, if we compete and play well, I'd be pleased and proud, though disappointed if we don't win it all.

 

[Neners]

My mom took me shopping just to get my mind off of the game. Thanks Mom!

 

[dukiejay]

I was more nervous last weekend. For me, there's a certain calm about making the Final Four because it's so difficult. I'll be disappointed if we lose this weekend, but I'll be more proud of what this group accomplished. They don't go around handing out Final Four's....it's tough to get here.

 

[The Right Blue]

Originally posted by Willcampbell:
I've gotten to the point where I can't watch until I see we're up by at least ten with eight minutes to go. I feel like a jinx, so I check the score periodically while watching Lifetime with the wife or doing some other horseshit around the house. As soon as I turned on the Gonzaga game, the Zags scored six straight, so I went back to doing scuba gear maintenance for five minutes. Then all was OK. Plus, my heart just can't take it anymore. I know...pathetic. But true.
OFC
GO DUKE!!!!

C'mon man. Watching it is the enjoyment. Stick with it.

 

[Showenuff]

I'm shakin like a dog crappin a peach kernel. Nervous wreck.

 

[Buzzooka Joe]

I've got butterflies.. not really nerves.. More anxious/excited than nervous..

The best part about this game is, it's the Final 4.. Even if we do lose, I will consider this season a success.. If we would have lost any round prior to this, it wouldn't have been a successful year..

With that being said.. I am 100% hoping for K to get his 5th NC this year.

 

[JCColsCane]

Personally, I live for this moment. Hate not knowing the outcome ahead of time (!!), but I love these kids and feel like I need to be watching for them.
Nervous, you better believe it, but only by wondering how they will play. They are still very young and capable of getting lost in the moment, but hey, that's what it is all about, the moment!!
MSU has experience, a great Coach, the Seniors are 0-3 against Duke, lost to them earlier in the year and want this one bad. And don't think Izzo wouldn't love to take Duke out.
I am greedy and do not want to lose this one, especially to MSU. If we have to go out, I want to go out to a better overall team, an MSU is not it.
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[Yasuo3750]

I'm nervous but i love the feeling. It's good to be back in this spot.

 

[DFerryFan]

I thought I would be ok and excited during the game but I'm nervous as hell.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

I'm ready, and excited for our team...but nerves...not really. Go Duke!

OFC

 

[skysdad]

I got nervous when we went to stall ball and saw a 18 point lead go down to 12 in no time. We don't do that very well
despite the fact we do it so often. I can see using it with a 12-14 point lead with less than 4 minutes left but with 13 minutes left it just doesn't work for us. Sorry that's just the way I feel. We won by 20 true, but it wasn't because of stall ball it's because we scored. OFC

 

[Willcampbell]

I went out to eat with my son and daughter-in-law and finally looked at the TV over the bar when we were up by like 16. Had myself a double Basil Hayden, neat, and felt really good. I think I will bring myself to watch Monday night, and if I have a heart attack I figure it's better than dying in my sleep.
GO DUKE AND GO WISKY.
OFC

 

[Devilicious]

Originally posted by skysdad:
I got nervous when we went to stall ball and saw a 18 point lead go down to 12 in no time. We don't do that very well
despite the fact we do it so often. I can see using it with a 12-14 point lead with less than 4 minutes left but with 13 minutes left it just doesn't work for us. Sorry that's just the way I feel. We won by 20 true, but it wasn't because of stall ball it's because we scored. OFC

Stall ball shortens the game allowing the opposing team less possessions. We may not like it but I'm not sure I've seen Duke lose after using it.

 

[skysdad]

Originally posted by Devilicious:

Originally posted by skysdad:
I got nervous when we went to stall ball and saw a 18 point lead go down to 12 in no time. We don't do that very well
despite the fact we do it so often. I can see using it with a 12-14 point lead with less than 4 minutes left but with 13 minutes left it just doesn't work for us. Sorry that's just the way I feel. We won by 20 true, but it wasn't because of stall ball it's because we scored. OFC

Stall ball shortens the game allowing the opposing team less possessions. We may not like it but I'm not sure I've seen Duke lose after using it.

But why shorten the lead when we can maintain it. Wouldn't you rather to be up by 16 with 3 minutes left than up by 6 with 3 minutes left. I can deal with stall ball to maintain a lead and shorten possessions but not to come up without even getting a shot off or having to take a bad shot. It seems like the opposing team gets motivated and goes on a scoring spree. That's the way I feel about it. I don't think it should be started when there's a lot of time left. It just opposition more time to get back in the game. It only takes a few seconds to score and all of a sudden that big lead has vanished and the other team has the momentum. OFC

This post was edited on 4/4 11:00 PM by skysdad