"Dogging Duke" by Tough Love | The Pilot: Southern Pines, NC

Dogging Duke

February 4, 2010

I know Duke is one of the premier college basketball programs in the nation. I know it's one the flag-bearers for ACC basketball year-in and year-out. I know it's tied for first place in the conference standings heading into tonight's home game versus Georgia Tech. I know Mike Krzyzewski is a great coach, among the greatest I've ever met. And I think I know that Duke will win at least one national championship this decade. I just don't think it will be this year. I don't even think Duke is the best team in the ACC this year. With UNC being down, modern wisdom says that more times than not, Duke wins the conference. Why wouldn't it this year? The Blue Devils have an impressive array of weapons — size, power, shooters, ball handling, experience, youth, coaching. They just don't have a lot of athleticism, and they don't have many future pros, i.e. game-changers. What's going to happen when games get physical and refs let opponents lean on Duke a little? Who's going to make plays when everything else breaks down? I think I saw a preview in last Saturday's Georgetown loss, but I really didn't need to. I've seen this story play out before, in disappointing NCAA Tournament loss after disappointing NCAA Tournament loss since the 2001 national championship. Even if Duke does win the ACC regular season title, I bet it doesn't win the conference tournament. Much less the national championship. I could be wrong, but I'm just not a believer.

debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago

Ah, Patrick, you sell us short. But you're right about one thing: Duke may not be ACC front runner. In fact, according to the stats guys, with so many strong teams and outstanding players, the ACC has never been better balanced (except for Miami), therefore more unpredictable. I wrote last week, as an alumna who has followed Duke basketball for 50 years, that in my girly-fan observations, Duke is a head team. They are either confident or, after a few missed shots, spooked. The Devils are infamous for falling apart at crunchtime. But when those boys are hot, they're beautiful. Keep the faith. And don't give up on Carolina, either. Dookie Deb

CSmithson 3 years, 3 months ago

Patrick,

I've always liked your reporting starting with your MCI days. Thanks for not selling out to Dook.

debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago

Tonight... Duke Blue came through. Light blue, boo-hoo.

Tom_Embrey 3 years, 3 months ago

Gotta agree with PLove here. The ACC is weak. The good teams can't win on the road and the middle of the pack teams can't beat decent or below average non-conference foes consistently enough to be considered anything but a lock for the NIT. Conference will be lucky to get 5 teams in NCAA tourney, and none will get past the sweet 16.

fwm2 3 years, 3 months ago

wow now Tommy Boy,

I agree with most all of what u say....but none get past the sweet 16...what kind of odds u willing to throw down on that one..lol...seriosuly

I know one thing...Carolina might be lucky to get past the sweet sixteen...sixteen win mark on the season that is...lol.... I mean how long can Roy stick with a starting point guard, (or back court for that matter) that turns the ball over so much, with such a weak scoring + assist avg....that is what I really want to know TEE???!!!???

I knew the heels were going to struggle a bit, and the Zeller injury did not help, but 13-9 is unaccpetable with the talent they have

fwm2 3 years, 3 months ago

Also, I do think Duke will win the ACC regular season title...not the tourney though....and no way they win a National Title...only teams in my mind capable of that are Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse and Texas....I saw Duke bows out in the elite 8...and I cannot belive I am saying this as a Tar Heel fanatic...but I don't see UNC making the big dance this year...I am not sure they will even finish with an overall record above .500 overall, forget ACC record that looks like 7-9, 8-8 at best