Bracketology IS important!!!

[BeerPoisoning]

What is with everyone saying that they don’t care / it doesn’t matter whether we win or lose with Zion out? I know the thought process behind it is that we are the best team in the nation and that we can beat anyone, anywhere at 100% health so seeding and location doesn’t matter... You’re right, we are the best team in the nation when at 100% health. We can definitely beat anyone and win at any location when we are. But you all are ignoring the most important thing: We are not unbeatable. Nobody is!

I like our chances against ANYONE but I’d sure as hell like to allow the Cinderellas a shot at taking out the top teams before we get to them. That’s not being afraid, that’s improving win probability.

This nonsensical mindset has to change. Being a #1 seed IS important and I’ll tell you what else is important - Confidence!!! Winning and playing well will boost our roster’s confidence. So knock it off the “losing without doesn’t matter without Zion” crap. We have our seeding on the line and 6 or 7 other guys on this team who benefit tremendously from playing well.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

#1 or #2 seed is no different...except for fans to gloat about it...I don't honestly give a rat's behind if we are a 1 or 2 seed...I want Zion back at 100% and go from there

And bracketology really don't mean anything unless you think it does like you do

 

[dukebluesTX]

Seeding is not as important as being able to hit our shots. It's tough to shoot 30% from three and expect to win a national title on most night, unless our defense is great and we are playing well in the paint like we are certainly capable of with Zion and RJ.

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

Seeding in the ACC tournament is important for not having to play UNC and UVA back to back. NCAA not important. We play bettter away from home. I couldnt care less where we play and who we play.

 

[kwyjibos13]

What is with everyone saying that they don’t care / it doesn’t matter whether we win or lose with Zion out? I know the thought process behind it is that we are the best team in the nation and that we can beat anyone, anywhere at 100% health so seeding and location doesn’t matter... You’re right, we are the best team in the nation when at 100% health. We can definitely beat anyone and win at any location when we are. But you all are ignoring the most important thing: We are not unbeatable. Nobody is!

I like our chances against ANYONE but I’d sure as hell like to allow the Cinderellas a shot at taking out the top teams before we get to them. That’s not being afraid, that’s improving win probability.

This nonsensical mindset has to change. Being a #1 seed IS important and I’ll tell you what else is important - Confidence!!! Winning and playing well will boost our roster’s confidence. So knock it off the “losing without doesn’t matter without Zion” crap. We have our seeding on the line and 6 or 7 other guys on this team who benefit tremendously from playing well.

Here is the deal, there are a lot of what ifs.

However, we have two winnable games coming up without Zion. But there are stark differences from polls to brackets.

1. NO ONE can hold a candle to Duke's overall resume. Unless we come completely unglued, it would be hard to give UVA a one seed over us.

2. I think the committee is taking conference strength of schedule with unbalanced schedules into consideration. See UVA finishing above us during the RS and in the same round of the tournament, but we were a 1. UVA's schedule was way less daunting than ours (and we beat them).

3. They evaluate us on the team currently. If Zion comes back and we knock off Cheats round 2 and show very well in the ACC Tournament, would be hard to knock us off the overall 1. They do give credit for injuries (Cheats, you could argue they woulda won round 1 anyway, but if we beat them round 2, completely changes that argument). There is NO WAY IN HELL we lose Syracuse or VT without injuries.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

#1 or #2 seed is no different...except for fans to gloat about it...I don't honestly give a rat's behind if we are a 1 or 2 seed...I want Zion back at 100% and go from there

And bracketology really don't mean anything unless you think it does like you do

If we lose to UNC and get dropped off in the ACC, we could seriously fall to a 3 seed. That’s with or without Zion. The committee will take his missed time into determining our seeding but they won’t give us a free pass if there’s a really deserving team. They won’t lose any sleep over giving us a 3 seed and letting them earn their keep. Aside from that, #1 and #2 does make a difference other than bragging rights. I’d rather share a bracket with the likes of MSU or Houston rather than Gonzaga, Virginia, UK — Aside from that, there’s a pretty big difference between being the #1 seed and playing a #4 seed vs having to be #2 playing a 3 seed like Michigan.

Yeah, we can beat all of these teams but it’s stupid to give up on rooting for the best possible placement.

Semantics. No, hypothetical bracketology doesn’t matter but where we actually end up does.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

If we lose to UNC and get dropped off in the ACC, we could seriously fall to a 3 seed. That’s with or without Zion. The committee will take his missed time into determining our seeding but they won’t give us a free pass if there’s a really deserving team. They won’t lose any sleep over giving us a 3 seed and letting them earn their keep. Aside from that, #1 and #2 does make a difference other than bragging rights. I’d rather share a bracket with the likes of MSU or Houston rather than Gonzaga, Virginia, UK — Aside from that, there’s a pretty big difference between being the #1 seed and playing a #4 seed vs having to be #2 playing a 3 seed like Michigan.

Yeah, we can beat all of these teams but it’s stupid to give up on rooting for the best possible placement.

Semantics. No, hypothetical bracketology doesn’t matter but where we actually end up does.

I'm sorry but I quit reading when you said #3 seed

No way in earth are we falling to a 3 seed...look at our overall resume...just no chance

 

[PixelDevil]

Considering we’ve never won it as a 2 seed, I’d say the difference between 1 and 2 isn’t very important...

EDIT: JK I’m a dumb! I forgot the very first one!

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

1 seed, 2 seed. Don't care. What I care about is being healthy.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Considering we’ve never won it as a 2 seed, I’d say the difference between 1 and 2 isn’t very important...

Ain't never had Zion.

 

[Testkid]

Considering we’ve never won it as a 2 seed, I’d say the difference between 1 and 2 isn’t very important...

We won in 91 as a 2 i think

 

[Shatterthesky22]

If we lose to UNC and get dropped off in the ACC, we could seriously fall to a 3 seed. That’s with or without Zion. The committee will take his missed time into determining our seeding but they won’t give us a free pass if there’s a really deserving team. They won’t lose any sleep over giving us a 3 seed and letting them earn their keep. Aside from that, #1 and #2 does make a difference other than bragging rights. I’d rather share a bracket with the likes of MSU or Houston rather than Gonzaga, Virginia, UK — Aside from that, there’s a pretty big difference between being the #1 seed and playing a #4 seed vs having to be #2 playing a 3 seed like Michigan.

Yeah, we can beat all of these teams but it’s stupid to give up on rooting for the best possible placement.

Semantics. No, hypothetical bracketology doesn’t matter but where we actually end up does.

If we win our next two.games we are at absolute worst the last #2. Say we win those and lose to UNC and in.the first of ACCT. That puts us at 26-6, with still a better resume than almost anyone. Only way we end up a 3 is to lose out man.

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

Lol

 

[PixelDevil]

We won in 91 as a 2 i think

You are correct good sir, I was being a dumb.

 

[QC Dukie]

I'm sorry but I quit reading when you said #3 seed

No way in earth are we falling to a 3 seed...look at our overall resume...just no chance

You’re wasting your time dude

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Here is the deal, there are a lot of what ifs.

However, we have two winnable games coming up without Zion. But there are stark differences from polls to brackets.

1. NO ONE can hold a candle to Duke's overall resume. Unless we come completely unglued, it would be hard to give UVA a one seed over us.

2. I think the committee is taking conference strength of schedule with unbalanced schedules into consideration. See UVA finishing above us during the RS and in the same round of the tournament, but we were a 1. UVA's schedule was way less daunting than ours (and we beat them).

3. They evaluate us on the team currently. If Zion comes back and we knock off Cheats round 2 and show very well in the ACC Tournament, would be hard to knock us off the overall 1. They do give credit for injuries (Cheats, you could argue they woulda won round 1 anyway, but if we beat them round 2, completely changes that argument). There is NO WAY IN HELL we lose Syracuse or VT without injuries.

We have a wonderful resume and we beat UVA twice, so I see your side of it... but if we drop a couple more and they win the ACC, I almost guarantee they will receive the nod. Which goes in hand with “evaluating the team currently” - Virginia knocking us off in the tournament gives them an upperhand. I agree that they take injuries into consideration but it’s not a free pass. They aren’t going to discredit a deserving team and credit their spot to us based on what hypothetically could have been different.

I'm sorry but I quit reading when you said #3 seed

No way in earth are we falling to a 3 seed...look at our overall resume...just no chance

I don’t want to play with fire and get burnt. We do have a GREAT resume and we are better than the #2 seed tier teams. But if we lay another egg in regular season and fail to win ACC.... Anything can happen. Michigan looked fantastic until a month ago, if they win the B1G or win last reg season match-up with MSU, it’s hard seeing them getting kicked to a #3. Same mindset with TN winning SEC or getting W over UK. Houston’s resume sucks but booting a 1-loss team to a #3 seed isn’t going to happen.

The top 9 teams are the best teams in the country and Texas Tech (11th) is on fire right now. If we screw this up, it comes down to praying a couple others team do too.

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

I think everybody here is rooting for “the best possible placement” becuase well...that’s winning. Lol

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I think everybody here is rooting for “the best possible placement” becuase well...that’s winning. Lol

We are all rooting for the natty!!!
Judging by majority response nobody cares about seeding because we can beat anybody..... I don’t disagree with that, but I damn sure care how we finish the season off because I’d rather see an easier path. That’s all lol

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

We are all rooting for the natty!!!
Judging by majority response nobody cares about seeding because we can beat anybody..... I don’t disagree with that, but I damn sure care how we finish the season off because I’d rather see an easier path. That’s all lol

There is no easy path unless you're a unc turd fan. We will have the easiest path bet on it lol.

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

We won in 91 as a 2 i think

now that’s funny right there....dude trying to be a smartasz Lmao!

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

The only way that we could come remotely close to dropping to a 3 seed in the NCAAT would be if we were to lose all 3 of our remaining regular season games then lose our first game in the ACCT which would give us 7 losses for the season and I just don’t that happening even if Zion were to miss the rest of the season and I don’t see that happening either.

 

[SwatX1]

If we lose to unc and don't win the ACCT, I guarantee you we are still a 2 seed.

Having a 1 seed can be important, but I bet when the brackets are out, you can find a 1 seed who would be better off as a 2 in a different region than having to play the 2 in their region.
I think being a one or two can have less bearing than which region you are in

 

[BeerPoisoning]

There is no easy path unless you're a unc turd fan. We will have the easiest path bet on it lol.

Carolina’s title run in 17 was a frickin’ cakewalk!!!

I understand that THOSE kinds of easy paths don’t happen lol. I said I want an easier path!

 

[gottagonow]

We need to have the easiest path to both the ACCT and the NCAAT and anything beyond a 1 seed is dangerous. Some of you posters act like no one can beat us and thats simply not true. If and when we hit our shots like we did against UK and UVA in game two I agree 100% that we are the best team but how many times have we played like that? There have been several games we were lucky to win because of our mostly poor 3 pt and FT shooting and when we get beyond the second game of the ACCT we better be at our very best or we might go home early. We've seen this scenario the last several seasons when we shot ourselves out of the game and we need to be realistic Zion or no Zion. I'm tired of getting my heart broken by over expectations and smart enough to temper them. Lets just play intelligent and complete games like we are capable of and the wins will be there.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

If we lose to unc and don't win the ACCT, I guarantee you we are still a 2 seed.

Having a 1 seed can be important, but I bet when the brackets are out, you can find a 1 seed who would be better off as a 2 in a different region than having to play the 2 in their region.
I think being a one or two can have less bearing than which region you are in

I like your confidence. I’m comfortable saying that should and will probably be a #2 seed at worst. But if we do lay those eggs while others are performing well, I hate that we’d be to relying on “injury forgiveness” from the committee. They do consider injuries heavily but I’d rather not be on the #2 seed bubble in their debate against a hot team that just won their conference.

Yeah, of course placement means everything and it can be ugly or pretty regardless of the seeding. I know we play well anywhere but I’d hate to be booted out west as a #2 or have to play a #3 seed like Michigan or TxTech. Being a #1, we avoid ALL title contenders until at least the Elite 8. By that time there’s upsets and such - we could get lucky!

Just seeing people say that it doesn’t matter what we do without Zion really irks me. Winning and building confidence matters. We are STILL capable of getting the #1 overall seed which would likely put Houston in our bracket. That’s huge. I get that we can beat anyone and I don’t disagree, but there’s still an advantage to be had as a 1 seed no matter how you look at it.

 

[retiredsoldier]

I'm in the who cares camp. If healthy, the dang committee can put Duke in a play-in-game for all I care. If we are the best when healthy, then it don't make a difference in reality. Being a 1 or 2 seed, or where they play is the least thing. Last year should of been a wake up call for everybody when it comes to seeding. At the end of the day, regardless of what seed and location, come out flat and see what happens.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I'm in the who cares camp. If healthy, the dang committee can put Duke in a play-in-game for all I care. If we are the best when healthy, then it don't make a difference in reality. Being a 1 or 2 seed, or where they play is the least thing. Last year should of been a wake up call for everybody when it comes to seeding. At the end of the day, regardless of what seed and location, come out flat and see what happens.

Come on now... Really?
We have the best team in the nation but you’re acting like we’re bulletproof. Nobody is bulletproof and winning 6 straight games against everyone’s best effort isn’t a cakewalk. If you want to cast a vote for 1/2 being the same, you’re entitled to that. But noting that you wouldn’t care if they were a play-in game is just ignorant.

Aside from the seeding standpoint - Don’t you think that finishing strong in the regular season and ACC is valuable in terms of building confidence and going into tournament playing our best basketball? “Come out flat and see what happens” leads to telling me that you think it’s valuable.

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

If Duke is 100% healthy and plays to its potential, then they’re the best team in the country. Most level-headed fans regardless of affiliation would agree with that.

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

#1 or #2 seed is no different...except for fans to gloat about it...I don't honestly give a rat's behind if we are a 1 or 2 seed...I want Zion back at 100% and go from there

And bracketology really don't mean anything unless you think it does like you do

I just wanna be in the East. 1-2-3-8 seed i dgaf as long as Zion is healthy.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

If Duke is 100% healthy and plays to its potential, then they’re the best team in the country. Most level-headed fans regardless of affiliation would agree with that.

Yes. Who’s arguing that?

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

Yes. Who’s arguing that?

 

[BeerPoisoning]

@FearTheBeard

A+ in creativity.
Level headed fan is arguing that we’re the best team in the nation? Lol - I don’t think anyone on this board thinks we aren’t.

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

@FearTheBeard

A+ in creativity.
Level headed fan is arguing that we’re the best team in the nation? Lol - I don’t think anyone on this board thinks we aren’t.

Check the details of the first pic. Those are the people arguing Duke is not the best team when 100% and playing to its potential.

Not every post is meant for people that post on this board.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Check the details of the first pic. Those are the people arguing Duke is not the best team when 100% and playing to its potential.

Not every post is meant for people that post on this board.

Right on - Sorry, I thought you were referencing to something someone said. It would definitely take some bias to think we aren’t the best when healthy... But, I’m a little concerned folks are taking that fact and relating it with being bulletproof.

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

Right on - Sorry, I thought you were referencing to something someone said. It would definitely take some bias to think we aren’t the best when healthy... But, I’m a little concerned folks are taking that fact and relating it with being bulletproof.

There is no such thing as a bulletproof college team in a single elimination tournament. Never has been. Never will be.

 

[LouisiAaron]

Come on now... Really?
We have the best team in the nation but you’re acting like we’re bulletproof. Nobody is bulletproof and winning 6 straight games against everyone’s best effort isn’t a cakewalk. If you want to cast a vote for 1/2 being the same, you’re entitled to that. But noting that you wouldn’t care if they were a play-in game is just ignorant.

Aside from the seeding standpoint - Don’t you think that finishing strong in the regular season and ACC is valuable in terms of building confidence and going into tournament playing our best basketball? “Come out flat and see what happens” leads to telling me that you think it’s valuable.

I keep seeing you state we aren't unbeatable. If that's the case it doesn't matter our seed. We can be beat as a 1 seed or 2 seed

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I keep seeing you state we aren't unbeatable. If that's the case it doesn't matter our seed. We can be beat as a 1 seed or 2 seed

As Duke fans we have been spoiled with success and great performances this year. Majority (myself included) view the loss to Gonzaga as an early season fluke. Noting that and trashing losses due to injury, in a lot of people’s eyes we haven’t truly lost. To top off our own confidence in this team - ESPN and sports media has us hyped out the wazoo. It’s all 100% earned and deserved — But when I see people say that they don’t care if we win or lose until the NCAAT or seeding doesn’t matter because we can beat anyone / anywhere... I guess the “Debbie Downer” realistic part of me is like hey now, woah, we are beatable!!! I don’t mean to be negative, but winning 6 in a row against everyone’s best shot won’t be a cakewalk and it’s still logical to hope for the highest seeding and easiest path.

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Playing @ #1 seed Kansas' backyard was probably the difference maker in our NCAA heartbreaker last season

Us fans focus on injuries and close loses but are quick to forget how a flip of the coin @ FSU and @ Louisville was for this team.

IMO the margin between us and the field isn't as large as some of our fan base believes.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Playing @ #1 seed Kansas' backyard was probably the difference maker in our NCAA heartbreaker last season

The game may as well have literally been in Allen Fieldhouse. You opened a can of worms. Don’t get me started on this game lol... I have a perfect visual memory of the end of regulation and OT burned into my brain.

Grayson’s shot at the end of regulation that somehow bounced out was devil magic. Impossible. Rigged.

First of all Malik Newman lit it up all night. I know our switching to 2-3 (virtually 4-1) extended zone saved us some last year but zone is a death sentence against an experienced team.

Kansas’ 2nd possession of OT: Devonte Graham at top of key, Duval’s zone area. Newman is a couple steps off the 3pt like to his side (Grayson’s area) and Kansas has no spacing. Lined on strong side of the court. Graham penetrates to the FT line, that now makes him property of post zone players and weak side perimeter defender (Trent) — Not only did Duval follow the penetration too deep, Grayson completely out of assignment drops to defend. Grayson should have rotated to the perimeter wing and Duval should have rotated towards Newman. In other words, Newman should have had 0 chance to release a shot. Double defensive fail led to kick out open Newman 3pt.

Then it was tied with about 2 minutes left in OT and Kansas has possession. We are in a 2-3 zone. Malik Newman is in the corner (he lit us up all game) — Kansas has the ball at the top of the key and lob passes to the post. Javin rotates from baseline mid-range to the post correctly, GRAYSON ROTATED DOWN TO THE POST INSTEAD OF TO THE BALL-SIDE WING / CORNER PERIMETER AND LEFT NEWMAN WIDE OPEN.

Then we didn’t score again the final 2 mins. This team was prolific offensively. Double true centers that could also stretch the floor and guards stuffed with 3pt talent. One of our worst teams defensively in history. Mediocre defense and we would have been champions.

 

[LouisiAaron]

As Duke fans we have been spoiled with success and great performances this year. Majority (myself included) view the loss to Gonzaga as an early season fluke. Noting that and trashing losses due to injury, in a lot of people’s eyes we haven’t truly lost. To top off our own confidence in this team - ESPN and sports media has us hyped out the wazoo. It’s all 100% earned and deserved — But when I see people say that they don’t care if we win or lose until the NCAAT or seeding doesn’t matter because we can beat anyone / anywhere... I guess the “Debbie Downer” realistic part of me is like hey now, woah, we are beatable!!! I don’t mean to be negative, but winning 6 in a row against everyone’s best shot won’t be a cakewalk and it’s still logical to hope for the highest seeding and easiest path.

Every fanbase does things like this when it comes to an early loss because if they believe their team is much better later in the season they don't care about an early season loss. It happened but so what. It's not that we're unbeatable. It's that we have the best team and should win if we play up to our ability. It's basketball. Make or miss game. This is why you have so many upsets in basketball as opposed to football. We won't get an easy path to the title regardless. 1 seed doesn't matter. We would end up having to play a good 2-seed any to get to the final four so who cares. We bring our A-game and we beat everyone. I'm almost positive we are one of maybe 2 teams in the country that can go in Charlottesville and win. By double digits at that. So that's why I could care less about a seed. Just get us there. Hell being an underdog puts a chip on their shoulder. That might be best for these young kids