Somehow we are already here. I just flipped my calendar to March (yes I am 4 days late). Time has flown by and even with snow storms and negative degree winter weather, non conference and all but 1 conference game have been completed for Duke this year. If you are just tuning in expecting the preseason prediction of Duke running roughshod on the weak ACC and having the regular season crown already locked up, SURPRISE! Instead a struggling UNC team that looked dead in the water early has kept up with Duke. Now the rivalries second regular season matchup on Saturday in Chapel Hill will decide the regular season champion of the ACC.
A couple things we’ve learned since the first matchup-
- Harrison Barnes has figured this college basketball thing out. Barnes is averaging 17 point per game in the 6 games since his disappointing 9 point output against Duke in early February. He also won the Tar Heels game against FSU on Wednesday with a 3 in the waning seconds. Can Kyle Singler keep Barnes under control again Saturday?
- Duke hasn’t played a quality complete game since the UNC win, in which they only played 1 good half. Duke has been very inconsistent lately and hasn’t looked comfortable on offense. Even though Duke has won 5 of the last 6 since the UNC game, they haven’t dominated the subpar opponents as they should. Not sure if the perfect remedy for a struggling Duke team is heading in to a blood thirsty Dean Dome.
- Charlie Sheen is crazy. Crazy like a fox! Nah, he is actually bat excrement crazy.
- Andre Dawkins and Miles Plumlee have lost Coach K’s confidence. Each averaging only 11 minutes a game since the last UNC matchup.
- Duke can lock up a #1 seed possibly with this win Saturday. If they lose they will still have a chance with a strong performance in the ACC tourney but why not take care of it Saturday. A #1 seed would really improve Duke’s outlook of repeating as National Champs.
- If I want people to read this blog I should write about Kyrie Irving or Duke vs.UNC. Duke vs. UNC? Check. Kyrie Irving? 1 stone lets get 2 birds though…..
- Depending on who you ask Kyrie Irving is:
o Done for the year
o Coming back Saturday
o Coming back in the ACC tournament
o Coming back for the NCAA tournament
o A white watch hoarder (Anyone else noticed this?)
He tweeted today, “But also some good news… I’m now retiring my walking boot officially…Back to regular sneakers. lol… feels so good!!!” You know what would “feel so good”? Coming back for the NCAA tournament and dominating. So if you could just go ahead and take care of that for me Kyrie, that’d be great mk?
Prediction-
As much as I want to say Duke will come out and dominate from the opening tip, I have to be honest in that I don’t see that happening Saturday. I see UNC coming out early working the ball inside to Zeller and Henson and getting out to an 8 pt lead within the first 10 minutes. Duke will hang around trailing in the 8-10 point range the rest of the 1st half. Another second half comeback? Seth Curry sets Dean Dome ablaze with another shooting 101 session? Nope. UNC will come out in the second half and continue to be the team that has played better than Duke since their last meeting. UNC will stretch the lead to 15 and withstand a few Duke run’s and cruise to an ACC regular season title.
Predicted Score:
UNC 82 – Duke 71
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