Official Vent Thread

[twdukefan]

Yeah, I don't know...I think winning the 'ship last year really dulled any frustrations I might have with this particular team. I personally felt this team was a 2nd round, sweet sixteen team before the year started and I think they're capable of that. The next couple years could be really good, and I felt that this year was going to be a bit of a struggle.

 

[dukiejay]

I think a lot of us had minimal expectations this season. And I don't mean that to sound like I wasn't expecting anything. I still thought we could compete for a top three spot in the ACC, and in a down year (by NCAA standards) maybe even a March run as a 2-4 seed. But I have to admit, being the defending champions has lessened the blow. If UNC doesn't win the whole thing....well, then it's all gravy as far as I'm concerned.

 

[DukeJim99]

Eh, I think its fair that we would have dropped at least another game or two even with Amile. Its not like this team was a national contender before Amile got hurt. The main reason to be optimistic about a deep NCAA run is that I think everyone other than UNC is very beatable and the committee will never put us in UNC's bracket. And yes, unfortunately I think UNC is the best team in the country (mainly due to no one having an elite team) and could run away with it.

I hear you on not being a national contender before Amile got hurt. You're 100% correct on that.

But which non-Kentucky game or two do you think we would have lost with Amile? We lost by 2, 4, and 5 points and the Utah overtime game. Each loss came down to a play or two. I just think Amile is a big enough difference maker to, for example, keep Notre Dame out of the 90s on us. You don't?

I'm not suggesting we could have been 18-1 with Amile because this is a top-5 team with Amile. I'm suggesting we could have been 18-1 with Amile because we haven't played any top-40 teams this year other than KY* and with Amile I think we would have beaten every non-top-40 team we played to date.


* Indiana might be playing like a top-25 team now, but they were not nearly there when we played them - they were awful back then.

 

[DukeDenver]

Notre Dame is a win with Jefferson playing. That is almost certain.

 

[GAAP_rivals]

No more than 2 losses with Amile. Legit title contender. Fact.

 

[jamsession3]

I still have high hopes for these guys! Marshall is a beast. He wants to play D and Dunk. That's all you can ask of the guy. He has a high motor. Keep giving Obi a chance, put Chase in there and let the perimeter guys score.

This team will surprise many by late Feb.

 

[stanleyduke]

I'm not trying to predict which exact games we win or lose with Amile, its just generally taking the view that there would be a few losses even with him. When was the last time Duke went undefeated in January? Unexpected losses happen.