I’m taking a break from the drone of politics to discuss something a bit more light-hearted, but maybe even more intense than this year’s political elections. This past week spotlighting the Duke/UNC basketball rivalry. The victor, the Blue Devils (always the better team), won pretty handily. The game brings out the best in both teams and each team plays at a higher level of skill and intensity rarely seen elsewhere. Pundits have pointed to Duke’s absence of a true center as the reason the young Devils will not make it to the NCAA championship. If the Clemson, Maryland, and UNC games mean anything, it means Duke doesn’t need a “big man.” If you can spread the court out with 5 perimeter players, there is not another team that can guard you. Obviously for Duke this is working. I will not predict a NCAA championship right now, but I do see Duke making it to at least the Elite 8.
Speaking of the Elite 8, the preseason favorite to win the tournament has struggled mightily. UNC has needed a last second shot or overtime to beat several mediocre teams lately. Evidence of this is last night’s game against Clemson. With 7 minutes remaining and Clemson up by double digits, UNC needed another Clemson collapse to pull one out. I dislike Clemson about as much as I dislike UNC, so I had to pull for them against the Tar Heels, so with those fateful 7 minutes remaining in regulation, I was wary but feeling an upset. I should have been more wary. I don’t know what Oliver Purnell instills in his players, but it’s the same thing Tommy Bowden instills in his. These teams lack discipline and always fall apart in the closing minutes of any game. It’s pretty pitiful to watch. Clemson had to play some keep-away yesterday for 7 minutes to hang on to a huge win, but as usual, 2 overtimes later, Clemson goes home dejected and defeated. Not that I’m too upset about that, but I would have rather have seen UNC lose two straight.
And I’ll leave NASCAR until the end so the overwhelming majority of my readers (if there are any readers) can skip the rest of the post without missing anything of importance. I’ll keep it short in case a few braves souls want to read it.
The Bud Shootout was this weekend. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the shootout to start the season on a very high note after the disaster of the 2007 season. It appears Hendrick Motorsports will be even stronger than it has been in the past. I guess we will really find out this Thursday as the duels are run who will be the front-runner for the 500. My money is on Junior, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
February 11, 2008 at 10:28 pm
before you get on the duke kick, look no further than how a more physical Pitt team manhandled the blue devils inside. North Carolina was totally out coached and did not utilize or run their offense through Hansborough which I think would have led to more success. Also, I am not a big Carolina fan, but remember they are not playing with one their best players who completely runs their offense. Duke’s greatest quality is how well they defend and that was evident in the Carolina game and will be a big factor in how far they go.
Hope the married life and real world is treating you well
February 12, 2008 at 12:18 am
Dude I feel ya on the Nascar thing, not so much on the UNC win. I am a huge USC fan, so anything that Clemsux looses is great in my eyes. You are def. right about them collapsing in the final minutes of the game though. They had it all but won, but in the end we saw Clemson being Clemson.
I’m going to make a comparison that most won’t agree with. I find the play of UNC Basketball to be similar to the Patriots Football season. … Follow me here… The Pats started out strong, very strong. But along they way they’re weaknesses were exposed. Every team tried to exploit them but in the end, in most games, the Pats found a way to hang on for a win. In many cases my a slim margin. Much like UNC, now granted there are a heck of a lot more game in BBall, there fore being a great chance of losing. But all in all the story line is very similar. Now if the same fate is in store for the tar heels… then you my friend will be one happy man.
Now for the Nascar issue. I’m not really a racing fan, only in passing do I watch it. I do however like to go to the races, (they are free, and so are the boozes!) But I would call myself a Junior fan. Mainly because he is a Gamecock fan, and I have met him on several occasions. Each of which he was the nicest guy you’d like to meet. The the Bud Shootout was little more that a Morale booster. Now who knows how far that will actually carry. But for the most part, it means nothing. But now atleast we get to see how good he really is. He has the best cars in the sport behind him, so now is his time to shine.
Good to hear from you bro. Hope all is well.