78Devil,
We came out smoking with G unstoppable, then we lost our offensive flow in the first half. Second half, we let up a little, VT focused on/stopped G and Kyle stepped up on offense. After VT tied it, our defense was great, stopped VT and we gutted it out down the stretch. Good on ball defense all around, particularly Elliot. Good, tough win. Doc
Any win on the road is a cherished win. Terrific gut-check by the team in the last five minutes.
The Hokies play very hard all of the time, which is certainly admirable (because it is something that many teams in our conference do not do). Even if they had won this game, however, I still think they would have some work to do to get in the big Tournament (despite what Coach Dykes repeatedly said, I do not think they quite have a big-time resume). I think they need at least two more wins this year (regular season plus ACC Tournement).
Coach Greenberg has repeatedly played the 'we have to fight harder than anyone because some people (read: Duke, UNC) don't want us to be here' card. I think that toughness carries over to the team.
Despite the missed travel call on Jon near the end, which will certainly be rehashed ad-nauseum, I think the more telling reason for their loss was that their point guard, Delaney (who is quite good), had an absolutely miserable game in one that they needed him to have a good one.
Great win Duke!
Wow - I guess that's why we have our own opinions. I actually like the school less than any and although I might get "banned" for saying this, I always pull for the Heels against VPI. I think Greenberg is a thug and a whiner and am enjoying the fact that he's not going to get in again. I would never call their sports progams and players "good guys".
Anyway, GO DUKE!
Agree about the announcers today. John may have travelled but also had a clear charge taken on the previous play that they called a block. Looked to me like Kyle's rebound tie up on an earlier play was tied up by a guy whose foot was on the baseline. Point is, some things are seen, some not. The questionable calls evened out in this game, I think. Nice win.
Since I'm in Big 12 territory, I had to watch on ESPN 360. Don't know if it was our computer system or theirs, but the screen sure froze often. The game finished at least 10 minutes after y'all started posting about the victory.
Way to hang tough at the end. I'm glad we get all the calls so that we can win. Scheyer did walk, but is it Duke's fault that the refs miss a call?
I'm still shaking my head about the jump ball on Singler's tie up at the end. I thought it should have been a reach in foul, myself.
Enjoy the victory!
Actually, the precendent has been set in the Miami / OSU game, as well as the Miami / Duke game -- the refs are SUPPOSED to review the video if something obviously happened.
The fact they didn't shows they just weren't interested in elevating THEIR effort to match the teams', as was Gerald's T -- Vasallo almost took Gerald's head off -- with no call -- of COURSE he's going to react -- if refs won't get the game under control, it's up to the players to do it.
Yeah, I heard our idiot savant Jimmy Dykes on the replay. He conveniently ignored that Jon was getting bumped every few tenths of a second, which should have been fouls.
Interesting call by K: Duke had the arrow, so the play was for Scheyer to receive the pass, stay in position, and get fouled; or else, take it out of bounds on a held ball.
I think that is relying too heavily on fate; we'll see if we do that again.
sagegrouse
'I love to get in people's heads by having them think Duke gets all the calls'
Based on what you saw of VT today, what kind of chance will they have against the Holes at home? Will their loss to us deflate them or inspire them?
I'm so glad you mentioned the lack of a video review. Have been astonished at how few times I've seen it used this year.
The quality/consistency of the officiating has been abysmal in recent ACC games.
Maybe Johnny Swofford's too busy campaigning for Myles Brand's job to notice?