This is easily the most excited I have been....

[LetsGoDuke301]

Heading into the tournament since 2015. After it was known that Zion's injury wasn't catastrophic and it was expected that he would be back by the tournaments, I said that it would suck seeing them lose games and potentially fall to a two seed, but I wasn't going to worry about losing those games or falling back in seeding because at full strength in the tournament those things won't matter.

Now, not only do we have our best player back, we secured the one seed in the east with a favorable bracket. Obviously there are teams in our bracket that can beat us on any given night. But I am not looking at a single team and saying, man I wish they weren't in our bracket. I don't want to sound overly confident, but if Duke doesn't make it to the final four, it will be on them.

It should be a fun tournament. Let's Go Duke!!!

 

[christophero]

I feel the same way. Sure there are teams that could beat us, but there are no teams that should beat us. I predict MSU does not even get to the Elite 8.

 

[tp394]

The only team I’m really worried about in region is VT. I think Zion will play be a big difference tho. So let’s get through this weekend and then hopefully by next weekend Marques will be back and we’ll be a 100%

 

[christophero]

VT is good but any sweet 16 game will involve a good foe unless there is an upset. If we didn't have Zion back I'd be worried.

 

[SwatX1]

I'm feeling pretty good too!!!

 

[Neue Regel]

Was a sensational weekend for Duke Basketball fans. With all the ridiculous bad luck with injuries that had Duke trending toward a 2 seed in the NCAA'S, the Blue Devils completely turned their season around this weekend. Getting Zion back, beating our arch-rivals to avoid the "triple crown" for the first time since 1976, and culminating with the ACC Championship and reclaiming the # 1 seed in the Dance it was an awesome weekend.

With that said, I'm keeping my "one game at a time" attitude. Also, we need to get Marquise back.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I’m confident enough to look past the first weekend, so..... I previously mentioned a week or two ago that I thought VT would be a sleeper team in the tournament. I’m not going to discredit that notion just because we’re paired up with them. They shoot the heck out of the ball and they’re capable of getting hot, but all of their guards are 6’5” and shorter. We are an elite perimeter defending team and our opponents 3PT% backs that opinion. Tre will be on JRob, same height. We not only have 2+ inches on the rest of their guards but our wingspans are around 6’10” and Cam’s span is 7’1” — I think we lock them up. Downlow Blackshear is a true 5 with the ability to stretch but Zion is one of the best defenders in the nation and Javin is a defensive specialist. I think that if we just play a smart game offensively that we will pick up the win.

On the other side of our region, boy did MSU get screwed or what? Honestly, I’m glad they are our #2 instead of Michigan. I know MSU swept UM but I think UM is better on both sides of the ball, which they proved early season. They just didn’t do well in conference, B1G play style doesn’t fit to them. Anyway, anyone could come out to face us in the E8. MSU, Louisville and LSU are all easily capable of beating each other. Don’t count out Maryland either, they beat a good Purdue team and kept pace with both Michigan and Virginia. It’ll be interesting to see which one appears in the E8, I think it’s a toss up!

 

[AlanInNJ]

I too agree if we cannot get thru this bracket to the final four we would not have won it all anyway.

VT doesn't bother me too much. Blackshear is a heck of a player, but no way has 23 and 10 with Zion in the paint. Ask Luke Maye! They will hit some threes, but it won't be enough.

I am more concerned with MI State. I know the history, but Winston is sneaky quick and a streaky shooter/scorer. We have been burned in the past by teams with elite penetrating guards who spread us out and drive.

But still I cannot get past the giddy feeling that barring injury this is Duke's national championship to lose.

 

[duke0527]

I have Lville beating MSU.

 

[duke0527]

I too agree if we cannot get thru this bracket to the final four we would not have won it all anyway.

VT doesn't bother me too much. Blackshear is a heck of a player, but no way has 23 and 10 with Zion in the paint. Ask Luke Maye! They will hit some threes, but it won't be enough.

I am more concerned with MI State. I know the history, but Winston is sneaky quick and a streaky shooter/scorer. We have been burned in the past by teams with elite penetrating guards who spread us out and drive.

But still I cannot get past the giddy feeling that barring injury this is Duke's national championship to lose.

Duke could lose to MSU... but I don't think they match up at all with Duke. Ward is a heavy plodding big who has no chance against Zion. Tre is our best defender to swarm Winston and their best shooter is a non athlete. They are also banged up with no depth.

 

[SwatX1]

I have Lville beating MSU.

I kind of like this too. Not sure yet if I'm picking it, but I do like it

 

[christophero]

If VT and MSU are our biggest worries then I like our chances. Every bracket has dangerous teams.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

VT is a really good basketball team but I like our chances in a rematch. First and most importantly we will have Zion this time. Secondly, we always struggle in Cassel Coliseum. Washington DC should be a true neutral court with a pretty even split between fan bases. Third, we'll have a good 4-5 days of rest as opposed to the regular season where we played at Syracuse on Saturday and then 3 days later played at VT.

I think this group is special and can win the whole thing. We have the two best players in college basketball. Even without good three point shooting this team is the most talented team in the country.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

If VT and MSU are our biggest worries than I like our chances. Every bracket has dangerous teams.

Seriously. VT is the only P5 conference school in our ride to E8, that’s generous. The bottom half of our region is terrifying looking. MSU has 4 other P5 schools in their way to E8.

I’m not afraid to face MSU, I’m glad they are our #2 seed. But there’s a good possibility they don’t even make it to us.

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

Duke could lose to MSU... but I don't think they match up at all with Duke. Ward is a heavy plodding big who has no chance against Zion. Tre is our best defender to swarm Winston and their best shooter is a non athlete. They are also banged up with no depth.

Actually their best shooter is an excellent athlete who is also on the All B1G defensive team I believe. Yes, he's white, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good athlete. With that said, we will smash MSU if we play them.

 

[dukiejay]

Heading into the tournament since 2015. After it was known that Zion's injury wasn't catastrophic and it was expected that he would be back by the tournaments, I said that it would suck seeing them lose games and potentially fall to a two seed, but I wasn't going to worry about losing those games or falling back in seeding because at full strength in the tournament those things won't matter.

Now, not only do we have our best player back, we secured the one seed in the east with a favorable bracket. Obviously there are teams in our bracket that can beat us on any given night. But I am not looking at a single team and saying, man I wish they weren't in our bracket. I don't want to sound overly confident, but if Duke doesn't make it to the final four, it will be on them.

It should be a fun tournament. Let's Go Duke!!!

I would recommend reading the game thread on Friday during the first half against UNC-Central. Our 'fans' will kill any kind of excitement you're having.

 

[Liftee]

I know that there are no guarantees in the Tournament or else Kentucky would have won in 2015. However, I'm feeling really good for 2 reasons:

1. Duke can beat almost anyone even while shooting 25% or worse from the 3 point line.
2. Less likely than ever before that one or two shooters beat us, because we can bring in Goldwire to guard one with Tre guarding the other without missing a beat.

These are two factors we have never had before that are really in our favor.

 

[duke0527]

Actually their best shooter is an excellent athlete who is also on the All B1G defensive team I believe. Yes, he's white, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good athlete. With that said, we will smash MSU if we play them.

Didn't say it cause he's white. I didn't see a lot of athleticism in the Big 10 Final outside of Winston's quicks. That's obviously a problem against Duke. I just like the match up more so than Tenn and KY.

 

[Kentucky8duke5]

Heading into the tournament since 2015. After it was known that Zion's injury wasn't catastrophic and it was expected that he would be back by the tournaments, I said that it would suck seeing them lose games and potentially fall to a two seed, but I wasn't going to worry about losing those games or falling back in seeding because at full strength in the tournament those things won't matter.

Now, not only do we have our best player back, we secured the one seed in the east with a favorable bracket. Obviously there are teams in our bracket that can beat us on any given night. But I am not looking at a single team and saying, man I wish they weren't in our bracket. I don't want to sound overly confident, but if Duke doesn't make it to the final four, it will be on them.

It should be a fun tournament. Let's Go Duke!!!

Are you still excited?

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

Are you still excited?

Are you?

 

[dbav]

I am!

 

[CatsPaws270]

Are you?

Don't mind that troll.

We've been in the same spot as you guys...it hurts knowing it was there for the taking...something legendary...and just bad luck got in the way. Good kids and the greatest coach of all time...just didn't bounce the way you needed. Basketball is cruel sometimes...

But Duke and Kentucky, as always, will be back in the conversation for a title again and again. Hopefully we can get that tournament matchup we've been waiting for since 1998, before Cal and K retire.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Are you still excited?

Yes. The weather is warming up, next weekend is the Azalea Festival and I will be able to enjoy the music and fireworks without having to choose between that and a basketball game.

Don't get me wrong. I am disappointed, but it is what it is. How about you? How'd those two top 5 teams work out for Kentucky this year?

* Just noticed your screen name. How pathetic. Please tell me you just created that to troll this board and it's not the one you use at RR.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

I'm still excited. No these guys wont be in a Duke uni again, but they are about to make huge names for themselves in the NBA and be the face of the Duke brand for a long time.