MBB: Duke v. UConn (Thu 12/18 8 pm ET, ESPN) Pre-Game and In-Game Thread

[hurleyfor3]

It's at the Meadowlands, so we can't possibly lose, can we?

[Tripping William]

Is that Okafor foul-out all of the Huskies' front line. It would be poetic, and almost (but not quite) justice.

[devildeac]

It's at the Meadowlands, so we can't possibly lose, can we?

You know better than to post things like that.

[MChambers]

UConn's center, Brimah, scored 40 points in his last game, so the center matchup will be very important. Brimah is listed at 7 feet, 230 lbs.

[devildeac]

Is that Okafor foul-out all of the Huskies' front line. It would be poetic, and almost (but not quite) justice.

Now this plan I like.

[OldPhiKap]

It's at the Meadowlands, so we can't possibly lose, can we?

Arizona . . . Laettner's freshman year . . . .

(The game where Laettner missed some late free throws to lose; Dick Nixon came into the locker room and told Christian -- "Don't worry, son -- I've blown the big one, too" -- true story)

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Arizona . . . Laettner's freshman year . . . .

(The game where Laettner missed some late free throws to lose; Dick Nixon came into the locker room and told Christian -- "Don't worry, son -- I've blown the big one, too" -- true story)

I remember watching that game at my grandmother's house.

Strangely enough, Laettner went on to not blow it many, many times.

[Ichabod Drain]

Is that Okafor foul-out all of the Huskies' front line. It would be poetic, and almost (but not quite) justice.

Maybe that's why Justise was sent here...

[Tripping William]

Maybe that's why Justise was sent here...

I thought about that, but I don't think a phonetic equivalent will quite make up for this being a regular season game. But if there's a rematch in the Tourney . . . . .

[flyingdutchdevil]

My least favorite teams are UNC, Kentucky, and UCONN in that order.

I really hope that this is the season where we defeat all 3.

Go Duke!

[jv001]

My least favorite teams are UNC, Kentucky, and UCONN in that order.

I really hope that this is the season where we defeat all 3.

Go Duke!

My first 3 are the same as yours, but my 4th is Maryland. Matter of fact you can squeeze them in between UNC and Kentucky. GoDuke!

[FerryFor50]

My first 3 are the same as yours, but my 4th is Maryland. Matter of fact you can squeeze them in between UNC and Kentucky. GoDuke!

What's a Maryland? I forgot those existed...

[uh_no]

arrright

as I am probably the most familiar with uconn I figured I'd give a rundown:

PG:
Boatright. Everyone knows him...he played robin to nappier's batman last year...IMO? not as good offensively...not as efficient...still a quick guy, hounding defender, but often takes ill-advised shots that guys like nappier could hit consistently, but he cannot...much more emotional...took him a while last year to realize that he wouldn't be the #1 guy...and he sometimes had issues on the court...in one instance he and nappier almost came to blows last year...likely the best PG that tyus has faced yet this year...should be an interesting matchup on both sides of the court

SG:
Rodney purvis was the PG to be...but he has been hobbled by a high ankle sprain, limiting his minutes and points this year...hasn't been a scorer much, though an okay defender. hard to know how much is from his injury, or how much he needs to be on ball...Either way, I think his biggest role will be chasing quinn around, or keeping him out of the way of boatright on the other end

He has been splitting minutes with Sam Cassel Jr, who has taken over the starting spot in the absence of purvis. pesky defender, though doesn't provide much offensively. Terrance samuel is the other guard who gets big minutes. He is much like Cassel, IMO...little value on the offensive end, though just as pesky on defense.

SF:
Dan Hamilton is a freshman wing...one of the young bright spots on this team, not as good as justice, to be sure, but among the better wings in his class, IMO. Pretty consistently puts up point totals in the low teens. I don't think justice will have trouble getting the better of this matchup.

PF:
Kentan Facey: apparently this guy plays for uconn

C:
Amida Brimah: you saw he put up 40 the other day against coppin state...and that was probably the best game of his career. This man is in the business of blocking shots...there was some absurd stat last year like he blocked some 22% of ALL shots taken while he was on the floor...his offensive game has improved somewhat this year, it's still not nearly as polished as oak's. oak's an inch shorter, but has brimah by 40 lbs. Comared to kaminsky, brimah is a better blocker, and worse rebounder. It is an interesting matchup, because jahlil had "only" 13 and 6 vs kaminsky. Brimah, like most raw big men, has been plagued by foul troubles, but has seemed to improve this year, going from 16 to 28 minutes a game, and okafor hasn't done superbly at getting to the line.

Nolan is the only other guy with >10 minutes...and he steps in to replace brimah. provides not much more than a body to eat up fouls down low.

Omar Calhoun is another wing, but is working with an MCL sprain, and sat a few games suspension for some apparent misdeeds in puerto rico...wouldn't expect him to play here.

Overall, the uconn team is somewhat similar to last year on defense...they're deceptive...and prayer 3s from being 6-1. The offense, however, is simply not good. Losing a great guard, a three point shooter, and a offensive wing hurts....too much to replace. I expect duke to win...but i expect it to be about around 10 points...not a blowout for sure.

[Tripping William]

C:
Amida Brimah: you saw he put up 40 the other day against coppin state...and that was probably the best game of his career. This man is in the business of blocking shots...there was some absurd stat last year like he blocked some 22% of ALL shots taken while he was on the floor...his offensive game has improved somewhat this year, it's still not nearly as polished as oak's. oak's an inch shorter, but has brimah by 40 lbs. Comared to kaminsky, brimah is a better blocker, and worse rebounder. It is an interesting matchup, because jahlil had "only" 13 and 6 vs kaminsky. Brimah, like most raw big men, has been plagued by foul troubles, but has seemed to improve this year, going from 16 to 28 minutes a game, and okafor hasn't done superbly at getting to the line.

Nolan is the only other guy with >10 minutes...and he steps in to replace brimah. provides not much more than a body to eat up fouls down low.

So my plan for poetic near-justice (sp?) has some basis to it. Excellent! (Seriously, though, thanks for the detailed info; I'd have sporked you, but can't at the moment.)

[weezie]

So, what's the beer drinking sitch at the 'Zod?

[weezie]

Wait, is this a Duke board? Four hours and no one in the NJ/NYC alumni brigade has an answer for a sure to be thirsty old lady?!

[devildeac]

Wait, is this a Duke board? Four hours and no one in the NJ/NYC alumni brigade has an answer for a sure to be thirsty old lady?!

Here's a place I know nothing about except that it appears to be about 3 blocks away:

http://www.reddsrestaurant.com/menus/

As for what's available inside, I can't help you, ma'am.

[nyesq83]

STOP BY THE WINNERS CLUB & ENJOY DRINKS BEFORE THE GAME! The Winners Club restaurant will be open for drink service to ticketholders at 6:00 PM. The Winners Club is located at the IZOD Center between gates C and D and is easily accessible to the arena seating area. Patrons must have event ticket for entry

[OldPhiKap]

Does FSU's Sam Cassell have a kid playing college hoops?

Damn, I really AM OldPK.

[devildeac]

Does FSU's Sam Cassell have a kid playing college hoops?

Damn, I really AM OldPK.

Apparently, he does:

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m...jr_922981.html

Now get off your own damn lawn.