Tenne-See Ya!

[DukeHoopsGuru]

I was high on Tennessee coming into this game. They might be a mirror of Duke, but I actually think Duke is slightly better. Singler is better than anyone they have at the 4 or 5. One thing about Tennessee that worries more than Duke is they have no one that gets to the rim. No one. At least Duke has Nelson, Henderson (not a true slasher however), and Smith. When the 3 isn't falling who's going to get to the rim for that team? I think player for player Duke is probably the better team.

[Classof06]

Duke and Tennessee are extremely similar. Both are teams considered to be a bit under-sized. Both pressure the hell out of the ball on defense; both depend on pressure to force turnovers and both love to run out in transition, essentially hiding their lack of size. Both are capable of winning the national title.

I think people give Tennessee the nod right now because they've had a harder schedule thus far (according to the RPI numbers) but I think it's a tossup if we play each other. Who ever has the ball last is going to win, haha. According to Joe Lunardi's bracket, Tennessee is the 1 seed in the East and we're number 2. As I said in another thread, how great of an Elite 8 game would that be?

PS - As good as we are, watching UK surprisingly beat Tennessee, you just can't help but wonder what it would be like having Patterson. He had a monster game tonight (20 and 8) and Jimmy Dykes even mentioned that. After an ad for the VT game Thursday, Dykes said if Duke had Patterson or a solid guy in the middle, we'd be the best team in America, bar none. "They have everything else" -- direct quote. Ahhh well...

[heath_harshman4]

well put.

while rooting for Kentucky to beat Tennessee to show that Duke does deserve that #1 seed (wow, im getting into seeding in late January, disgusting) I couldn't help but wonder the entire time what it would be like with PP roaming the post. Our offense would be without dead-ends. 3's aren't dropping, drive to the hoop. Can't drive, hit the post. Can't hit the post, work some inside-out offense. Can't I-O, drive and dish for the 3. It would be endless. And some of his blocks...holy cow. not to mention he played the last 4 mins or so with 4 fouls, great job. Oh well, I guess we'll have to live with Singler.

[DangerDevil]

I know that it's still January, but so much for all the arguments about the Vols deserving a #1 seed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/bas...eType=boxscore

[Ignatius07]

Duke does have slashers - which partly compensates for its lack in size - but if you watched tonight's UT-UK game, you will see that poor perimeter shooting can easily torpedo teams like the Vols and Blue Devils. Neither team really has a true inside presence, but plenty of athletes that love to run. That said, I do feel that Duke plays better perimeter defense, which is key to deny those entry passes to Patterson, et al.

[Oriole Way]

Watching this game made me extremely depressed.

I have no doubt whatsoever that we would have won a National Championship this year and/or next year if we had been able to land Patrick Patterson.

[Ignatius07]

I have no doubt whatsoever that we would have won a National Championship this year and/or next year if we had been able to land Patrick Patterson.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We would be able to withstand scoring droughts much better if we had PP, but "no doubt" that we'd win a title? C'mon. We've seen much better teams than [08 Duke + PP] lose before even the Final Four.

On top of that, we have no idea how it would affect team chemistry. I'm not one of those who was "glad" he didn't come because he said he didn't gel with the guys, but several players this year have talked about the much improved chemistry from last year - we don't know how much that is bolstering this team.

[heath_harshman4]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We would be able to withstand scoring droughts much better if we had PP, but "no doubt" that we'd win a title? C'mon. We've seen much better teams than [08 Duke + PP] lose before even the Final Four.

On top of that, we have no idea how it would affect team chemistry. I'm not one of those who was "glad" he didn't come because he said he didn't gel with the guys, but several players this year have talked about the much improved chemistry from last year - we don't know how much that is bolstering this team.

very very good point.

thats how I have felt this year about Josh McRoberts. I would love to have his scoring/passing/post play ability. but something about the chemistry of this team. It just feels right, like something special is gonna happen. Last year when we were in the top 10 or so, we knew we weren't elite 8 or final 4 material. same as in 2005. we were ranked #1 and even coach K said that that team wasn't the #1 team in the nation. You could make a great argument to why this team is the #3 team in the nation.

[lazee]

Read the recap and see Lofton hit 5 3's to set the SEC record. Just out of curiosity, will he be able to break JJ's 3-PT record?

[SeattleIrish]

One thing about Tennessee that worries more than Duke is they have no one that gets to the rim. No one. At least Duke has Nelson, Henderson (not a true slasher however), and Smith.

Henderson isn't a true slasher? I'm not sure I understand that - he sure seems like one to me.

s.i.

[Oriole Way]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We would be able to withstand scoring droughts much better if we had PP, but "no doubt" that we'd win a title? C'mon. We've seen much better teams than [08 Duke + PP] lose before even the Final Four.

On top of that, we have no idea how it would affect team chemistry. I'm not one of those who was "glad" he didn't come because he said he didn't gel with the guys, but several players this year have talked about the much improved chemistry from last year - we don't know how much that is bolstering this team.

It's obviously futile debating something so hypothetical and speculative, but there's a reason K went after Patrick so hard. He would have fit in with this team perfectly. He's a dominant inside force, rebounding and scoring-wise. He passes well both inside and out. He's the only thing Duke truly lacks.

There is also a weak field of elite teams this year. Kansas, UNC, Memphis, UCLA, and they all have serious flaws. Duke would match up more than favorably with all of those teams with a guy like Patterson. The same will be the case next year.

I just feel very strongly about this team being head and shoulders the best team in the country with Patterson on it. And next year it would be a dominant team.

I know it's hard to win it all, and the best team doesn't always win, but I wholeheartedly believe that the reason Duke exits early this year will be because of our interior deficiencies (rebounding and inside scoring). At one point tonight Jimmy Dykes mentioned how the only thing Duke is missing is a strong post player, and he pointed out Patterson as that kind of player. I'm not sure if he knew that we were specifically recruiting him, but his observation couldn't have been more true.

To see Patterson tearing it up is so frustrating. Not only because we'd be better, but because Patterson would be better off as well.

Don't get me wrong, I love this Duke team, and this year has been and will be an exciting season, but I've been bummed out ever since Patterson picked UK because I thought he was a final piece to our puzzle. I feel much more strongly about that now.

[NYC Duke Fan]

I watched Kentucky beat Tennessee last night and the game that Patrick Patterson had...just the kind of player that Duke so desperately needs. Had he chosen Duke over Kentucky we would be thinking National Championship this year and two-peat if he stayed another year.

Too Bad Coach K and staff couldn't land him.

[Oriole Way]

I agree... I posted those exact same thoughts in the Tennessee/Kentucky game thread.

[Turtleboy]

Read the recap and see Lofton hit 5 3's to set the SEC record. Just out of curiosity, will he be able to break JJ's 3-PT record?

He has 367. He needs 91 more. Doubtful.

[dukemomLA]

I'm getting a little disraught about some of the negativity on DBR of late. GET OVER IT,GUYS! As my title says, F--K Patrick P. Who knows. Would he upset the chemistry and balance that our team currently has? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

But in all team sports, chemistry and the joy of playing together causes leaps and bounds over 'the big men' or 'the speedier guys" etc.

Again and again, I've said, "I LOVE this team." I love their grit, I love their communication, I love the fire in their eyes, I love that everyone supports each other, I love that no one on this team cares who 'starts.' They are truly a TEAM. Exceptional. Deserving of our undying praise.

So, let's STOP this crap about 'who we missed.' Geez, guys.

[Lulu]

With what everyone is saying about loving this team and not missing PP one bit. That's basically saying you aren't happy with the Thomas/Zoubek combo. This team is fun to watch and I wouldn't want to mess with that formula one bit. Perhaps it's even to our benefit only having "secondary" post players (only in the sense that we know Thomas and Zoubek aren't "all-american" or "all-acc" candidates). In fact, I hate to think it, but I can almost imagine that if we did have an all-american big man he might have been our one guy pulling down almost 40 minutes a game, drastically slowing us down, and eating up nearly every possession at the end of close games. I'll gladly take this team instead.

And even though I was admittedly a little upset with our recruiting misses earlier in the season, I have to say I'm almost happy about it now. Bringing back this same teams sans Nelson (who we'll miss, yes, but that's how it goes) is very exciting and I'm just so happy to finally have a team that's fun to watch and root for this year that I'll take it over the mere possibility of having a team that might have been a little better suited for a championship. This has been one of the best year-to-year changes. The ability to defend other bigs is all I really want for this team.

[Saratoga2]

With what everyone is saying about loving this team and not missing PP one bit. That's basically saying you aren't happy with the Thomas/Zoubek combo. This team is fun to watch and I wouldn't want to mess with that formula one bit. Perhaps it's even to our benefit only having "secondary" post players (only in the sense that we know Thomas and Zoubek aren't "all-american" or "all-acc" candidates). In fact, I hate to think it, but I can almost imagine that if we did have an all-american big man he might have been our one guy pulling down almost 40 minutes a game, drastically slowing us down, and eating up nearly every possession at the end of close games. I'll gladly take this team instead.

And even though I was admittedly a little upset with our recruiting misses earlier in the season, I have to say I'm almost happy about it now. Bringing back this same teams sans Nelson (who we'll miss, yes, but that's how it goes) is very exciting and I'm just so happy to finally have a team that's fun to watch and root for this year that I'll take it over the mere possibility of having a team that might have been a little better suited for a championship. This has been one of the best year-to-year changes. The ability to defend other bigs is all I really want for this team.

Watching Patterson eat up Tennessee inside makes one appreciate what a strong athletic player can do, especially against an undersized team, such as Tennessee. In looking at our own guys, Thomas in particular is about the same height as Patterson and is athletic as well but is not quite as strong at this point in his career. Thomas can add the strength and if he gets a little confidence back, and works on his offensive game, he can improve greatly. I am rooting for him to do just that, and at least make a part of the improvemnt during the rest of January and into Feb./Mar.

Zoubek is an entirely different player and with him healthy, we can match up against some of the bigger players. He will get points and rebounds and can deter some scoring inside.

Between the two of them, if we were to get 12 points and 8 rebounds a game, it would be a big help and make us even harder to beat. Lets support for the guys we have.

[Carlos]

"Patrick Patterson is not walking through that door." - Rick Pitino (sort of)

"I hope that you will support who we are, not who we are not." - Norman Dale

BTW - for symmetry, can we change this thread title to "Tennessee lost to who?" or "Kentucky beat who?"

[devildeac]

Watching Patterson eat up Tennessee inside makes one appreciate what a strong athletic player can do, especially against an undersized team, such as Tennessee. In looking at our own guys, Thomas in particular is about the same height as Patterson and is athletic as well but is not quite as strong at this point in his career. Thomas can add the strength and if he gets a little confidence back, and works on his offensive game, he can improve greatly. I am rooting for him to do just that, and at least make a part of the improvemnt during the rest of January and into Feb./Mar.

Zoubek is an entirely different player and with him healthy, we can match up against some of the bigger players. He will get points and rebounds and can deter some scoring inside.

Between the two of them, if we were to get 12 points and 8 rebounds a game, it would be a big help and make us even harder to beat. Lets support for the guys we have.

In addition to the 12/8 we need/desire from that position, don't forget the 8-10 fouls they would eat up, too, hopefully protecting Singler during end game situations. If Dave could add a few points and boards, the production from that position looks even better.

[DukePA]

I'm getting a little disraught about some of the negativity on DBR of late. GET OVER IT,GUYS! As my title says, F--K Patrick P. Who knows. Would he upset the chemistry and balance that our team currently has? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

But in all team sports, chemistry and the joy of playing together causes leaps and bounds over 'the big men' or 'the speedier guys" etc.

Again and again, I've said, "I LOVE this team." I love their grit, I love their communication, I love the fire in their eyes, I love that everyone supports each other, I love that no one on this team cares who 'starts.' They are truly a TEAM. Exceptional. Deserving of our undying praise.

So, let's STOP this crap about 'who we missed.' Geez, guys.

I'm with DukemomLA. I am thrilled with this team, and they truly are a team. This is so much more fun than holding my breath because I'm scared that a go-to star player might have a bad night. This has to be an amazing experience for the guys too. It must be awesome to be a part of something so special.

GO DUKE!!!!