When we beat the Cheats with Zion in the ACC semis. Then the question will have to stick with them...Could we have beaten them the other 2 games if Zion had played?
It's going to be a beautiful thing...
- Thread starter smashmouth5
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the only question for me is, how bad would we have whooped that far heel *** with Zion? No question at all, we would have beaten them.
Imagine we have Zion and Ques, and they are without two starters
Let's get Zion back and win Thursday night before we start planning the victory parade. Trust me, I want to play them with Zion, too....but I think some need to stop pretending UNC is this bad basketball team and incapable of beating us when we're full strength.
I don't think they're bad, all I'm saying is, if Zion played them they'd have 7 losses. That is all. Lol
Well said dukiejay. We had better worry about Thursday nights opponent before we worry about Friday. Also, if we win Thursday Zion will be playing in back to back games coming off of having not played in a game in 4 weeks. Carolina is really good and have the makeup to cut down the nets in April.
Yes I agree, with the way the season ended, the Cheats and UVA could be the only representation we have when the FF rolls around. Even with Zion Duke has a lot to prove, the only difference now is play a bad game and this season is done. I love my team, but not having a great feeling going into tourney time
Technically, it will be 22 days if he suits up on Thursday. So it's much closer to three weeks than four....but I get what you're saying.
I'm actually not all that concerned about Zion's conditioning, to be honest.
Alot of people are doubting this team. I think we will have an extra chip on our shoulder
Definitely can't take anything for granted, DJ. Zion just walking out on the floor won't guarantee a win (especially against UNC in Charlotte). Our guys are going to have to be ready to rock and roll if they want to win 9 straight.
I saw a group that played their hearts out at Chapel Hill with almost everything seeming to go against them (another injury, etc.). I truly believe this group is ready for greatness with Zion returning (although losing Ques hurts). Injuries kept them from having the monster season they all (and we too) thought we would have. This is their redemption tour. I wouldn't want to be any team standing in their way.
OFC
It seems like this board is struggling to have a good time with anything these days.
No doubt UNC is a top 5, top 10 team. I don't think anyone expects Duke to crush them when both are at full health.
But, Duke with a fully healthy team vs UNC? Completely different outcomes.
Or Duke with a healthy team vs UNC without Luke Maye and another starter who contributes? It's no contest. Duke.
Depending on who they play, Duke will have a potentially tough game Thursday. And without Bolden in the lineup for the ACC it will be a tough road to even beat UNC with Zion only after his 2nd game back and without Bolden.
Even though Bolden didn't always get a ton of minutes, he was a contributing factor in rebounds, inside scoring on occasion, and particularly as a presence on the inside on D. That will hurt.
I am not a believer in the unc team. They are a live by the 3 and die by the 3 team this season. Many Duke squads have been a live by the 3 and die by the 3 team in seasons past and we all know how that worked out for those Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament. Unc is not good at defending the 3 point shot and if they face an athletic, physical front court they are in trouble. We all know Luke Maye has his worst games against physical and athletic post players. I honestly will not be surprised if unc bows out in the Round of 32/Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
After seeing the look on Zion’s face after the game on Saturday, I have a feeling it’s gonna be a good day for Duke fans on Friday.
But, we gotta win Thursday first and our opponent isn’t going to be some slouch.
But, we gotta win Thursday first and our opponent isn’t going to be some slouch.
Obviously, I too, feel this Duke team is better with Zion. Everybody does. I think it's fair to say that.
UNC made two two three-pointers in 20 attempts against us the first game. They won by 16 points.
This UNC team still gets easy baskets and excels rebounding the basketball. Those two things alone can offset bad shooting nights. Now don't get me wrong....they're not as good as their '16 or '17 teams, but they're a really good basketball team capable of making a run. Any team that 'struggles' shooting the basketball for one game this time of season could be victim to going home early....that's the same for every team.
UNC made two two three-pointers in 20 attempts against us the first game. They won by 16 points.
This UNC team still gets easy baskets and excels rebounding the basketball. Those two things alone can offset bad shooting nights. Now don't get me wrong....they're not as good as their '16 or '17 teams, but they're a really good basketball team capable of making a run. Any team that 'struggles' shooting the basketball for one game this time of season could be victim to going home early....that's the same for every team.
What if we don't beat them with Zion though? Then what?
I think we win with him but you never know till game is played
Agree. I'm more concerned that a keyeserosay type derranged individual goes Tonya Harding and takes out his knee with an steel pipe in the corridor. OFC
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What if we don't beat them with Zion though? Then what?
Then I think it will be time for me to get a real life! I will start using the DVR, cause I don't have time to be wasting another 2-21/2 hrs. of my life, living and dying with these kids!
Go Duke!
OFC
i am with jay here. i don't assume that the return of zion means a 20 pint win against any opponent. UNC would be a tough win for us full strength.
would love to see Zion play a nice under control game his first time out - and not get re-injured.
would love to see Zion play a nice under control game his first time out - and not get re-injured.
Have you seen the MRI?
Zion’s dad has the only copy and won’t release it until phase 52 is completed.
All I can say is there is more than one man with an umbrella and a magic shoe.
Then we regroup and get ready for the next game, that's all you can do. But as you say, I like our chances.
OFC
UNC fans will say no / it doesn’t matter, Duke fans will say yes. So that’s pointlessly hypothetical.
In restrospect...
Gonzaga just lost, I think that makes UNC a #1 seed lock given their 16-2 ACC record. (Toughest / deepest conference makes that impressive.) BUT if we blow them out with Zion, then I think that’ll raise selection committee eyebrows about how deserving they are of it considering that 16-2 is unlike Virginia’s 16-2 vs healthy Duke.
That’s what matters to me as far as debating the last 2 matchups. I love our conference and seeing 3 #1 seeded ACC schools would be awesome, but I hate UNC just enough to root against that history happening
Agreed but some on here think him coming back automatically makes us unbeatable...I mean UNC isn't NC Central...they won't let down just cause Zion is playing