I just got done watching the end of the Duke-Florida State game on FSN, which Duke lost. They had about 4.5 to try and score and bricked 2 of them. Florida earned their first win EVER at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke was up 17, let me repeat that, 17 points and somehow lost. I'll give my kudos to Florida State, But what has happened to Duke's reign that we are used to seeing, ya know, blowing out teams like FSU by 20, now losing to them? We need someone to get on this case, and that's me.
Duke is now 18-5, 5-4 in the conference. Usually, they don't even have five losses at the end of the year. The team may be young, but a Coach K Duke team usually doesn't blow a lead like they did today. Let's look at their 6 losses-
Marquette, 73-62, neutral court. This was in early November, so this young team hadn't played a lot of games together, and they were playing a team that was ranked in the Top 15 at least at the time. This was apart of a tournament, but it doesn't ring a bell right now. Anyways, the guards, James and McNeil, combined for 42 of Marquette's 73 points. You have to stop that.
Virginia Tech, 69-67,@Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was their first game of the conference, which went into overtime, and lost. At the end of the half, VT was winning by 5. It's not very big lead but when you have that kind lead against Duke, it's huge. They did come back in the second half, but, again they were unable to stop the guards. This time, Dowdell and Gordon combined for 37 of VT's 69 points. You have to stop that.
Georgia Tech, 74-63, @Alexander Memorial Coliseum. This was the first time since like 1995 that Duke lost their first 2 conference games. They didn't play really well this game, not showing any signs of defense. And here's a mind-boggling stat thrown at you, they were .200% (4-20) Three Point percent. It was close once, but they couldn't stop the guards. This time it was, Morrow, Crittenton, and Young who combined for 41 of their 74 points. You need to stop that.
Virginia, 68-66, @John Paul Jones Arena. They were on a long winning streak, but were beat on a game-winner in overtime. This time, they had a reasonable 7 point lead, but again Virginia came crawlin back to force OT. Again very poor 3PT% going .218 (5-18). They basically gave them the game when they went to OT. Once more, they couldn't stop the guards. This time it was, Reynolds, Diane, and Singletary who combined for 56 of their 68 points. You really need to stop that.
Florida State, 68-67, @Cameron Indoor Stadium.This was the second time this season that Duke lost back-to-back conference games. They had a huge lead at the game, if you were paying attention at the top you would know how big of a lead they had, and lost it. They didn't controll the lead and Florida State earned their first ever win at CIS. This time the guards weren't as big as a factor, with F Al Horton being the big scorer.
So if you look into these losses, you'll see that the guard game for the other team was the X-factor of why Duke lost (excluding the FSU game). I know they are young, but do you think Duke's reign is finally done, or is it just a little stumble? You decide.
Most likely a blip on the screen. Remember a few years back they actually endured a losing season (the year Coack K sat out due to illness). They are the elite program in College Basketball over the last 20 years. (As much as it pains me to say that.) With Coack K at the helm it is hard to imagine them not being a top 10 team year after year.
This year however, with HOME losses to Virginia Tech and Florida State, the Dukies may find themselves fighting for a berth in the NCAA tourney come late March. Playing in the tough ACC conference and viewing their current trends, there is not a game in the conference that Duke can consider a win. They will have to fight every night to garner a .500 or better record within the conference. Without a .500 or better record in the ACC I don't think they get into the tourney.
Duke hasn't really been dominant by any means the last few years, any semblance of that has been due to the media overblowing their actual talent. Their "reign" is probably over but they should be a pretty strong program as long as Coach K is there.
I'm not one of those guys that knows a thing about scandals (Bonds, Duke,). I'm a simple minded guy, just here to talk about sports. I have suffered some pain, as I'm a Detroit fan. I have suffered the highs this past decade, Wings and Pistons winning their respectable championships , and the REALLY lows, Tigers of '03 and the Lions of basically forever. But the sky looks high for Detroit fans, with Tigers making the World Series this past year, but unfortunatley Rod Marinelli didn't give the season I was begging for. MSU is in their rebounding season, not being ranked or really upsetting anyone (except for Texas) but Drew Neitzel is a future NBA player and he'll remind people of Steve Nash, a guy who can score, but is better at the passing game. Michigan sucks! Go Green!
hadn't played a lot of games together, and they were playing a team that was ranked in the Top 15 at least at the time. This was apart of a tournament, but it doesn't ring a bell right now. Anyways, the guards, James and McNeil, combined for 42 of Marquette's 73 points. You have to stop that.
thrown at you, they were .200% (4-20) Three Point percent. It was close once, but they couldn't stop the guards. This time it was, Morrow, Crittenton, and Young who combined for 41 of their 74 points. You need to stop that.
