Originally Posted by
77devil
How many times have we seen this team pull out to a double digit lead only to give it back? They lose their defensive intensity and there are to many people standing around on offense. It's difficult to maintain the intensity for an entire game, but it would be confidence building for the team to put a few of these games away.
Two comments. First, this happens all the time, and not just to Duke. Basketball is a game of runs, and teams get, and then yield, double digit leads with frequency. The fact that we get double digit leads that ultimately get chipped away speaks at least as much to our ability to get those leads in the first place, which is a great thing. If the other team is going to make a run, I'd much rather they do it when we have a double digit lead than when we're tied or trailing.
Second, we did put this game away. Just like the Wake game (another double digit lead "given back"). Just like FSU earlier this year. Etc.
And actually, a third comment. We held a lead of at least 7 points (so, three possessions) for all but 23 seconds from the 14:23 point of the first half to the 9:12 point of the second half. Both teams made runs in that span, but for essentially 25 minutes, Duke held at least a three-possession lead on the road. That's really good work at sustaining a lead. From 9:12 to 5:59, Tech went on a 9-2 run. Then we finished 14-7. As road performances against good quality teams go, I'm pretty happy with this one.
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke