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(as if there's not already enough people doing this)Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Blue Tuesday
Well, the time has come. I'd say the most anticipated game every year for both Duke and UNC fans is that first week of February when they get together for the first time. This year it's at Chapel Hill, and it should be another great game. Carolina was supposed to be down after losing Felton, May, McCants, J Williams and M Williams last year. That was quite a loss, but they have a solid freshman class and have played very well so far. I've only seen them play a couple of times, so I honestly don't fully know what to expect out of them, but all signs point to a good, albeit young, team.
Duke is coming off of a rough week, with two close wins against BC and Florida State, and is playing their third game in 7 days, so they could be slightly tired. However, I expect that won't factor in for this particular game - they should be ready to play against Carolina any day.
Bill Brill has written a good article about the game and the rivalry, including discounting some idiot who claims the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry is the best in college basketball. I don't even know how to respond to something so ludicrous. Anyway, it's worth reading.
So, will I make a prediction? No, because these games are often unpredictable. I will say that I think Duke is clearly the better team, and if they play their game, it will be difficult for UNC to win, even in Chapel Hill. Their defense, I believe, will be key. I think Redick and Williams will have good offenseive nights, most likely. If everyone else plays well, Duke should be in a position to come out with a win. Duke has recent history on their side, too, having won 15 of the last 18 games against Carolina.
But even so, this is still Duke-Carolina. Nothing is guaranteed, and just about anything can happen.
Duke is coming off of a rough week, with two close wins against BC and Florida State, and is playing their third game in 7 days, so they could be slightly tired. However, I expect that won't factor in for this particular game - they should be ready to play against Carolina any day.
Bill Brill has written a good article about the game and the rivalry, including discounting some idiot who claims the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry is the best in college basketball. I don't even know how to respond to something so ludicrous. Anyway, it's worth reading.
So, will I make a prediction? No, because these games are often unpredictable. I will say that I think Duke is clearly the better team, and if they play their game, it will be difficult for UNC to win, even in Chapel Hill. Their defense, I believe, will be key. I think Redick and Williams will have good offenseive nights, most likely. If everyone else plays well, Duke should be in a position to come out with a win. Duke has recent history on their side, too, having won 15 of the last 18 games against Carolina.
But even so, this is still Duke-Carolina. Nothing is guaranteed, and just about anything can happen.
One other note: I saw something today - and I've heard this several times before now - about how Duke's freshman big man Josh McRoberts had more preseason hype, yet UNC's freshman big man Tyler Hansbrough has had the better year. It makes me laugh to see stuff like that, usually in the context that Hansbrough is a better player than McRoberts and that UNC got the better deal. He may very well be, but that simply cannot be judged based on this season. That will have to be determeined next year (if they both are still playing in college next year.) McRoberts is playing with senior All-American center Shelden Williams, and is simply not going to get the playing time or the attention on the court that Hansbrough gets at UNC, who lost their entire frontcourt from last year. If Sean May had stayed in school, I find it hard to believe Hansbrough would be getting the playing time (and, therefore, the hype) he's getting now. Who's better? Only time will tell.
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