Is anyone else worried about the UNC game?

[bluepenguin]

Tenting has started, so I think it is appropriate to start worrying now too.

What really worries me is that UNC really needs a signature win to turn things around. What better way to do it than beat Duke? The game is at UNC and Duke has not looked overly impressive in road games this season (even ignoring the debacle in DC). And no matter what the rest of the season is like for either team, they both play this game like it is the championship game (see 1994-5 season). I am really not liking the way things are shaping up for this match-up.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Tenting has started, so I think it is appropriate to start worrying now too.

The tenters don't have a choice..if they want good seats they have to do it. I do have a choice, and I choose to worry more about the next game.
Also...if the holes don't win again until they play Duke..their season is shot anyways. A win won't turn it around for them.
One last thought..I'll always look forward to the unc game, but I'll never worry about it.

[superdave]

We've got GT up next and we lost to them last month. So, no, not worried about UNC right now.

[moonpie23]

i ALWAYS worry about the UNC game....i am sick of losing to them. Just when you THINK they are bad enough to be beaten is when they rise to the challenge.

I would definitely rather see more "caution" on this board than "we're gonna sweep them" posts.


Let's just knock off the smack talking untill we actually beat them.....then, let's knock off the smack talking till we beat them at CIS.......THEN i'll feel better...

[devildeac]

I'm kinda thinking about gt now. Then, I'll be thinking about bc. Then, the game next Wednesday.

[duke4life32182]

I think they will do fine against UNC. Not worried about them right now though, we have to avenge a loss from earlier in the year right now.

[dukelifer]

You should always be worried. At this time of year, a team that is not worried will not win. UNC is still a formidable team despite their recent woes and lack of focus. There will be none of that next week. This is a big game for both team- a huge game. But as folks said- there are other games to be worried about.

[duke4life32182]

Time to worry for them after the next two games. Take each opponent as they come.

[DUKIECB]

I'm also worried about GT. I think everyone takes for granted that we will win every game in Cameron. While this is for the most part true, nothing is automatic and we did lose to them in Atlanta.

Also, it is a very quick turnaround from a Thursday night game to a 2:00 start Saturday. Not to mention we will be traveling to Boston in that time span as well. Add in the fact that we haven't been very good on the road and the possibility of looking ahead to UNC and you have the recipe for an upset by the Golden Eagles.

[yancem]

While I'm more worried about the GT rematch right now, the unc game is always at the back of my mind. What makes this year's match up more frustrating than usual is that both teams have been somewhat inconsistent. Which teams show up, the unc team that demoralized Michigan St. or the unc team that just got thumped at home by VA? On the Duke side do we get the team that ran Clemson out of the gym (twice) or the team that got stomped by Sate?

Duke is the better team this season but we haven't played well on the road and when it comes to this rivalry, nothing either team does before or after the game means anything. If you are young or only recently started following Duke basketball, take a look on the front page and the look back at the '95 game for some perspective. So yeah, I always nervous when playing the lighter shade of blue.

[Billy Dat]

My son was born on the same day that we last beat UNC. He can now walk, talk, talk back, and will soon be potty training. He turns 2 on Friday.

I'd like to stop being able to measure the length of our drought against the Heels against his developmental milestones.

So, yeah, I am worried. I don't want to be writing this same note saying that he's about to start Kindergarten...getting his drivers license...

[duke23]

Time to worry for them after the next two games. Take each opponent as they come.

I've always thought this line of reasoning is a little silly. The players should take each opponent as they come. We can worry about whoever we want - I, for one, agree with those worrying about the BC game as a trap game. The fact that I think BC could be a trap game, and worry more about that game and the UNC game than the GT game, makes us no more or less likely to win those two road games or lose the GT game.

[Reddevil]

The Duke / Unc game is not a 'normal' game. It never has been, and never will be. It is a throw out the records game. That is partially why it is the greatest rivalry in all of sports. Anything can, will, and has happened. It is a unique spectacle that we get to witness twice per year. In my opinion it is even bigger when one of the participants is having a tough year. It CAN make the difference in a season like that. If Duke were down this year, but beat Carolina, what would we say? It WOULD be the one thing to hang our hat on, and it WOULD matter. Excited - you bet. Nervous - certainly. Worried - nope.

[gofurman]

always

[-bdbd]

Tenting has started, so I think it is appropriate to start worrying now too.

What really worries me is that UNC really needs a signature win to turn things around. What better way to do it than beat Duke? The game is at UNC and Duke has not looked overly impressive in road games this season (even ignoring the debacle in DC). And no matter what the rest of the season is like for either team, they both play this game like it is the championship game (see 1994-5 season). I am really not liking the way things are shaping up for this match-up.

A few responses:

1. In a word, 'NO.' I am not worried.
2. Focus more on our next opponent, GaTech. We owe them some payback anyway. (For those who dismiss this line of reasoning, don't forget that the chatter among fans has a way of filtering on down to the team -- so there's a real risk, if all the fans are talking Kerlina, that the team would be distracted too.)
3. Kerlina really sucks right now - for crying out loud they just lost, badly, AT HOME, to a team that many thought would be at the very bottom of the conference pre-season. And they are NOT among the teams right behind us in the ACC standings (nor will they be probably at any time this season).
4. There are other opponents who are, realistically, a bigger threat to us and our quest for a regular season championship in the conference. I'm more worried about MD and GaTech.

Looking forward to Ga Tech right now. No doubt that we owe them.

:eek:;):p

[Matches]

Worried is probably the wrong word, but I'm always wary of UNC. They will step up their game when they play us. We will not see the sad sacks that got run out of their gym by UVa.

I was wary of them even when they were 8-20 and we had one of the top teams in the nation.

[uncwdevil]

Worried is probably the wrong word, but I'm always wary of UNC. They will step up their game when they play us. We will not see the sad sacks that got run out of their gym by UVa.

I was wary of them even when they were 8-20 and we had one of the top teams in the nation.

Exactly. We NEED to sweep them this year when they are down. We were down (relative to them) the last few years and they did what they were supposed to do in our games. The next few years are shaping up to be pretty even between us, so we need to take advantage this year and get the sweep. I'll be just as nervous next Wednesday as I've ever been for a Duke/UNC game.

[sagegrouse]

Worried is probably the wrong word, but I'm always wary of UNC. They will step up their game when they play us. We will not see the sad sacks that got run out of their gym by UVa.

I was wary of them even when they were 8-20 and we had one of the top teams in the nation.

We shot 21% from 3PT range against Georgia Tech and lost. A weak State team (58%) and an erratic Georgetown (71% - holy cow) shot lights out against Duke and won. There are no certainties with the Blue Devils this year.

Whether you "worry" about the game is a matter of personal psyche. I am looking forward to playing UNC next week, and I hope to hell we win. Same with GT and BC this week.

sagegrouse
'This season may be the most competitive the ACC has ever been. Maybe we need a thread. Without research I can think that years 1984 and 1985 were pretty tough, with really good teams at Tech, UNC, UMd, Duke, State and UVa. I can't remember much about Wake and Clemson then. But in some ways a balanced 12-team league is a bit of a miracle'

[houstondukie]

Some of the posters need to get over themselves. The players should take it one game at a time, not the fans.

On that note, I am very worried.

[uncwdevil]

Some of the posters need to get over themselves. The players should take it one game at a time, not the fans.

On that note, I am very worried.

Yep.

[Matches]

'This season may be the most competitive the ACC has ever been. Maybe we need a thread. Without research I can think that years 1984 and 1985 were pretty tough, with really good teams at Tech, UNC, UMd, Duke, State and UVa. I can't remember much about Wake and Clemson then. But in some ways a balanced 12-team league is a bit of a miracle'

The '85 season stands out to me as one of the most competitive, with three teams tying for first at 9-5 in conference play. There was a 4-way tie for first in 1995, but the dropoff after those four teams was huge. IIRC there was a 3-way tie for first in 2007 too - that year was pretty competitive from 1-7 in the ACC.

[UrinalCake]

Most of my thoughts have already been mentioned. I'm more confident about this year's game than I have been in a long time, but I'm fully aware that UNC will play out of their minds against us. Not to mention that the crowd will show up for their one time all year. Despite their record, UNC has some significant talent on their roster, and they've been dealing with injuries that are kind of overlooked.

Looking at the matchups, we're going to have our hands full inside. Deon Thompson has always been a problem for us and I expect him to get the ball early and often. I'm not sure we have anyone who can defend him, especially when paired with Davis (who should be back at full strength). Our guards will have to maintain ball pressure without overcommitting and allowing penetration, and will have to handle the bulk of the scoring as I don't expect our big guys to score much.

But I digress, let's worry about GT for now.

[uncwdevil]

Most of my thoughts have already been mentioned. I'm more confident about this year's game than I have been in a long time, but I'm fully aware that UNC will play out of their minds against us. Not to mention that the crowd will show up for their one time all year. Despite their record, UNC has some significant talent on their roster, and they've been dealing with injuries that are kind of overlooked.

Looking at the matchups, we're going to have our hands full inside. Deon Thompson has always been a problem for us and I expect him to get the ball early and often. I'm not sure we have anyone who can defend him, especially when paired with Davis (who should be back at full strength). Our guards will have to maintain ball pressure without overcommitting and allowing penetration, and will have to handle the bulk of the scoring as I don't expect our big guys to score much.

But I digress, let's worry about GT for now.

Regarding the crowd, it will be important for us to jump on them early, get about a 10 point lead and then grind the rest of the game out with smart shot selection and our defense.

Seeing as how it is likely that they'll have at least one more loss by then, I think their crowd will be easily demoralized.

This, of course, assumes that we don't lay another defensive egg that night.

[DUKIE V(A)]

Expecting a great showing and big win against Georgia Tech, really looking forward to Carolina, really worried about BC on the road.

Quick turn around on the road, in between two big games, against a well coached team that has a history of playing us tough and has a week to prepare. This game worries me. Even though BC is not as strong as usual, it would be a big win for the team IMO. I hope I am wrong, but I expect it to be very closely contested.

[left_hook_lacey]

i ALWAYS worry about the UNC game....i am sick of losing to them. Just when you THINK they are bad enough to be beaten is when they rise to the challenge.

I would definitely rather see more "caution" on this board than "we're gonna sweep them" posts.


Let's just knock off the smack talking untill we actually beat them.....then, let's knock off the smack talking till we beat them at CIS.......THEN i'll feel better...

and possibly in the ACC tournament, don't forget that one

[oldnavy]

There was a period back in the late 90's up until around 2002 or so that I did not worry about UNC, we just seemed to have their number. But for the most part, I always worry.
I live with two die hard, (one obnoxious-my 17 year old son) UNC fans. This game really does impact my life for several days... so yes I worry!! GO DUKE.

[flyingdutchdevil]

I live with two die hard, (one obnoxious-my 17 year old son) UNC fans.

Really hope he doesn't read this forum ;)

Agree with most people here. UNC is always a pain-in-the-@ss.

2006 was the worst - they were supposed to be awful, and this big grunt with the biggest eye-to-head ratio comes and man-handles our #5 draft pick.

Ouch...

[CameronBornAndBred]

and possibly in the ACC tournament, don't forget that one
Might be the first time in lord knows how long we play them on Friday.

[Duvall]

Might be the first time in lord knows how long we play them on Friday.

Eight years.

Interestingly, Duke played UNC in the Tournament in each of the Doherty years, but not once since, usually because UNC bowed out early.

[VaDukie]

Might be the first time in lord knows how long we play them on Friday.

2002.

I remember because of how nervous I was that with how overwhelmingly more talented we were that a victory by them would be the ultimate upset. It would have made the 1995 near upset look like an exhibition game.

[dukegirlinsc]

Taking one game at a time, obviously, but I'm worried about every game. Not just the UNC game. Every game. With such a bi-polar team, who even knows what's around the corner.

[dukestheheat]

^^^^

Carolina delendo est.

We are going to work to K-I-L-L the holes.

That's just the way it is.

Dogs chase cats and we don't like Carolina, either.

Throttle up, Duke!!!!!!

dth.

[Son of Mojo]

Like the consensus, let's worry about G. Tech first and foremost. The guys have some things to prove to them from what happened in Atlanta and things to prove to themselves for this past weekend's performance. Worry about the holes when it's time to play them and hope that we can annihilate them.

[uncwdevil]

2002.

I remember because of how nervous I was that with how overwhelmingly more talented we were that a victory by them would be the ultimate upset. It would have made the 1995 near upset look like an exhibition game.

Wasn't that the year Doh took the air out of the ball and we ended up winning like 60-48 or something like that?

[Cameron]

^^Yep. Awful game to watch. I remember viewing it from a little monitor I had tucked behind the scorer's table at a sixth grade tournament I was officiating. I was scared to death early, because you never know what can happen when a team is successfully executing the stall. Which Carolina was early.

Ultimately, we had too many horses to stop from pulling away.

[shoutingncu]

Wasn't that the year Doh took the air out of the ball and we ended up winning like 60-48 or something like that?

I believe it was, yes. And, in fact, I think that lead may have been under 10, or pretty close to it, with a minute or so left... and yet D'oh continued the Four Corners. Not sure why he wouldn't try to win at that point since the strategy had worked so nicely to have a chance... unless, of course, he looked at the players on the floor.

[oldnavy]

Really hope he doesn't read this forum ;)

Agree with most people here. UNC is always a pain-in-the-@ss.

2006 was the worst - they were supposed to be awful, and this big grunt with the biggest eye-to-head ratio comes and man-handles our #5 draft pick.

Ouch...

Are you kidding, I couldn't even get him to walk into Cameron when we were at Duke for the Cancer Walk a few years ago. I did get him to come to the Georgetown game last year and he begrudgingly said that the crowd was "cool".

Anyway, he knows he is obnoxious, but hey so am I.