ESPN Stats & Info@ESPNStatsInfo 30s31 seconds ago Duke vs North Carolina Last 87 Meetings UNC: 44 wins, 6,719 points Duke: 43 wins, 6,725 points wow
It's not you, I feel it. it's a weird feeling, I can't explain it. Not sure if it has anything to do w/ current play or Dean or what but while still excited I am not as excited as usual.
it is very late for the 1st game. they always used to play it last few days of Jan/first few of Feb. that could play a role.
Before I get into the game I want to take a second to mention the pregame tribute to Dean Smith. That was one of the best things I have ever seen in sports, 2 bitter rivals arm in arm. I gained respect for duke at that moment.
On to the game which can be summed up below: called a moving screen: https://vine.co/v/Oxj0nYYBDKi this was a legal screen:
You know playing that team especially in Cameron you kind of have to play 5 on 8, you have to overcome all the bad calls and Carolina nearly pulled it off but Carolina dominated the paint most of the game and shot 11 less FTAs. Carolina 83 FGAs w/ 10 from 3 so 73 inside the 3 pt line and they attempted 20 FTs duke 65 FGAs w/ 16 from 3 so 49 from 3 and they attempted 31 FTs 24 more shots inside the 3 pt line and 11 less FTs. late in regulation and in OT K was out of timeouts, THREE times there were clock malfunctions which essentially gave duke 3 more TOs and helped ice UNC players on front end of one and ones. the players have to overcome and make those FTs BUT it was complete BS. For duke Quinn and Jones were incredible, I tip my cap. They played lights out. I was not impressed w/ Okafor, Carolina had some big bodies and he wasn't very effective. he travels constantly and just lowers his shoulder to get to the rim and they never call anything. for Carolina Tokoto was great until that final shot in regulation. Marcus Paige played poorly, it's amazing the Heels had a great chance to win w/ Marcus playing the way he did BUT he was mugged all night l;ong, duke held, grabbed and wouldn't let Paige play. Of course none of it was called and the game ended when Paige had a rebound and was knocked OOB w/ no call. Fitting. On to Ga Tech, have to get back to winning. stil have a chance for a high seed in the Tourney. Cannot dwell on the tough loss last night, I am interested to see how they respond on Saturday.
I ant to add one more thing, on the court this is the least hateable duke team I have seen in a long time. I hate watching the Heels lose to duke more than anything in sports but this particular duke team isn't like the typical duke team.
Lets try this again: It blows my mind that anyone could actually care about Duke/UNC when you have an absolute classic tonight in Gonzaga on the road facing the unbelievable challenge of Pacific. Interesting Fact about Gonzaga: It has been 81 days since they have played a game against a school that even has a prayer of making the NCAA Tournament: (Arizona, Dec 8)
Last night's 'Crosstown Shootout' between Xavier-Cincinati (which is possibly even more incestuous than the Tobacco Road tilt if that's possible) went down to the wire as well, 59-57. As for the Tobacco Rd. Incest Classic, they'll be playing in 2 weeks...then again in the conference tourney....and then both will make the NCAAs anyway. This is either being milked or watered down, which has turned ESPN's "cream-of-the-crop" shilling of this over-hyped affair into skim milk. But I digress: onto previewing the higher ranked squads and their worthy opponents. Um....before I get into the game (and btw, best of luck Zags!), here are some Fun Facts about University of the Pacific: Location: Stockton, CA Population: 295,136 Violent crime rate: 1,408 America's 10 Most Dangerous Cities Rank: 8 * Profile: It's hard to control crime when your city is broke. Stockton filed for bankruptcy and has cut back dramatically on policing, exacerbating the city's longstanding problems with violence. * Source: Forbes Take care of business Zags and come home safe! (Billboard as you enter Stockton city limits) "oh daddy, please daddy....can I go to U of the P?!!"
Don't blame the refs Junc, it was evenly called. As far as Okafor not dominating your team like he could have or should have.... Thank the twisted ankle. Otherwise he puts 20-25 on your team and there wouldn't be anything your bigs could do about it. Even then you doubled him all night, except when Ole Roy should have. He choked as usual. If Okafor isn't slowed by injury, there isn't an overtime, and Duke walks away with a 10 point win. It is what it is, Duke won. Paige didn't do anything all night. He sure didn't look like a first team all ACC player at all. Cook and Jones made him look like "Junc"! Can't wait for the rematch as long as Okafor isn't slowed by a nagging ankle injury. That 5 on 8 remark you made isn't real. We gave up way too many interior points, (how about a 3 second call for Christ's sake! They camped in the lane all game, not one call all night.), I bet it doesn't happen again. I'm just glad Roy is your coach and not mine. Only he could blow the game the way he did. Like he always does!!! Looks like Carolina is the one not getting any better when they should be Junc. Sorry dude. It's tough being a digressing Heel fan....... Go Duke!!
I don't see how anyone can possible argue that Gonzaga is more deserving of a 1-Seed than Wisconson. Blows my mind away. And before junc brings up the Rutgers loss, they were short two starters due to injury.
By virtue of their victory over mighty Pacific, Gonzaga has secured their thirteenth win over a team with an RPI of 150 or higher, more than any team in the AP Top 25
Heading up to Syracuse tonite for the weekend, take in the Pitt game tomorrow. Am probably more excited about seeing my son and Dinosaur BBQ than the game. Oh, and it's going to be minus 6 by the time we get up there. Dang! _
Huge recruiting get for 'Nova with Omari Spellman. One of the top bigs in the 2016 class. Looks like the good times will keep rolling.
http://www.cardchronicle.com/2015/2/22/8086235/chris-jones-dismissed-louisville-basketball Chris Jones' Louisville basketball career has come to an end. Just a day after playing his first game since returning from an indefinite suspension that lasted a single game, U of L has announced that Jones has been dismissed from the team.
