Devils are losers

by jimmer on Mar 13, 2006 7:33 PM CST

goddamit, duke is going to win!

I am sorry to say that I've now picked Duke to cut down the nets in two of four ESPN brackets. I will probably do it again on the fifth.

That McRoberts kid is going to go nuts in the tourney. JJ is a senior. Uglyman is ugly. They are just too good.

I don't think they are even gonna have to play UConn.

Since I picked TX in the other two, I guess the champ is coming from Atlanta.

What do I know?

Poll

Is Duke going to win?

No way! You're crazy! It's going to be . . .

30 votes

Yes!

8 votes

38 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

No way

your crazy man. I like you but your crazy.

One off game by JJ and they are done. It will happen.

Crystal Balls

by MMHorns on Mar 13, 2006 8:08 PM CST reply actions

you're

Crystal Balls

by MMHorns on Mar 14, 2006 9:35 AM CST up reply actions

As you know Jimmer, I am a big Duke fan. But even I don't like this team's chances. On one hand you have two All Americans, a great tournament coach, and a history of Final Four runs. But Duke is overrated. UConn in my mind is clearly the team to beat.

I disagree with Holt. Duke goes when Shelden Williams goes. If Williams gets in foul trouble, the Dukies have almost no inside presence. Hansbrough from Carolina and Dudley and Smith killed them. A big team a solid frontcourt presence and athletic guards will beat Duke. That could be LSU or maybe even Texas or even UCLA.

Duke doesn't have the third scorer champions need. UConn has six scorers, maybe too many. But Duke clearly has too few. McRoberts has outstanding halves and occasionally a great game, but the chances of him showing up for six straight are small. Paulus makes a great pass followed by a lazy one. He turns the ball over way too much. McNamara led Syracuse to the title as a freshman point guard but that is one of the few exceptions. Nelson is Duke's other option. He has an ankle injury and wears a 10 lb brace. Not exactly helpful when you are really trying to defend and rebound. Duke also gets killed on the glass.

If Texas doesn't cut down the nets, I would like nothing more for Duke to do it. But I don't see this being Duke's year.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 13, 2006 10:56 PM CST reply actions

I might have to disagree on that a little

UCLA has solid guards, but I wouldn't call them a team with a solid frontcourt presence. They have a good, undersized power forward in Mbah a Moute who is a great rebounder and a good defender, but is not much of a scoring threat. Same goes for Hollins, their center, who is 7 feet, but until recently has underachieved. Plus, teams with good big men (eg. Cal) put UCLA in foul trouble, even with the 5 bodies they can throw in there. Unfortunately, UCLA's frontcourt is young (with the exception of Hollins, who still sometimes commits stupid fouls, and Fey, who has hands of stone and hardly ever plays), so foul trouble is going to be an issue for them.

I am aware that this post was supposed to be about Duke, but I just thought I would put in my two cents about UCLA's frontcourt, since they were mentioned.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 14, 2006 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

Ok

so one off game by JJ was a little simplistic, but it is the easiest end for me to envision. Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but you have to think he will miss some eventually. He is just crazy to watch. That ACC champ game was awesome. I have BC going far now after that performance.

Probably b/c I am homer, but I have a Texas Uconn final.

Crystal Balls

by MMHorns on Mar 14, 2006 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

I tried

I hope that both of you are right, but I think because of their draw they have a path that can get them to the championship game. If they make it there, then it is a toss up.

I just think that JJ and Ugly with their experience will get them there, and they are the type of players that can will there team to win.
Just my take.

I wanted to choose a team besides Texas and I just kept getting duke. I am surprised with your bias, wiggo, that you don't agree.

Holt, I am crazy so, don't tell me what to do.

by jimmer on Mar 14, 2006 7:33 AM CST reply actions