Duke v. NCCU Pre-Game & In-Game Thread

[Bob Green]

The tip-off is less than 72 hours away. Last year Duke defeated NCCU, 92-63, in an exhibition game. This year NCCU steps up to Div 1 so this game is the real deal.

The Eagles two leading scorers from last year's game, Drew Johnson (21) and Jason Hervey (12), have graduated. For Duke, four of five double digit scorers from last year's game have returned: DeMarcus Nelson (14), Jon Scheyer (14), Brian Zoubek (14), and Marty Pocius (12).

I'm excited for the season to start and anxious to see us utilize pressure defense to fuel our uptempo offense.

[whereinthehellami]

The tip-off is less than 72 hours away. Last year Duke defeated NCCU, 92-63, in an exhibition game. This year NCCU steps up to Div 1 so this game is the real deal.

The Eagles two leading scorers from last year's game, Drew Johnson (21) and Jason Hervey (12), have graduated. For Duke, four of five double digit scorers from last year's game have returned: DeMarcus Nelson (14), Jon Scheyer (14), Brian Zoubek (14), and Marty Pocius (12).

I'm excited for the season to start and anxious to see us utilize pressure defense to fuel our uptempo offense.

I went to their website to do some scouting and got to their roster page and couldn't get past the picture of their team (http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/mbroster.html). Are they the first team in Division 1 history to wear capris instead of shorts? Is this allowed?

[kydevil]

I wonder if they can even dribble through their legs with those "shorts?"

[KyDevilinIL]

Didn't Jason Hervey play Wayne Arnold?

[duke74]

Didn't Jason Hervey play Wayne Arnold?

Yup, but who knew? We were all looking at Winnie Cooper.

[wilson]

I went to their website to do some scouting and got to their roster page and couldn't get past the picture of their team (http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/mbroster.html). Are they the first team in Division 1 history to wear capris instead of shorts? Is this allowed?

Jeez. That really does look completely ridiculous (and I'm one of the young'uns who is supposed to think it's cool). Thank you, Fab Five.

[lavell12]

Haha their assistant coach LaVelle Muton used to be the headcoach at my high school. I didn't play basketball b/c I suck but that is funny.

[camion]

Okay, admittedly I'm an old fart who wore the short shorts during my high school career, but can you run in those things. It looks like the air resistance would be considerable. On the other hand, nobody is going to pass the ball through the wicket if you're defending in those.

[Classof06]

Is this game really not on TV anywhere?

[mgtr]

This must be a picture of their women's team, with the men's faces superimposed. I wonder how much fun the crazies will have with these dresses.

[Cali-Duke]

good news about attendance.
the online registration filled up within 15 minutes, so a ton of people are going to go. one of my friends is camping outside with a bunch of people starting today.

hopefully we should pack cameron.

[Bluedog]

Is this game really not on TV anywhere?

Not on TV as far as I know, but you can watch it online at ACC Select for 5 bucks. This was mentioned in another thread, so I won't take credit for it. :)

http://acc.playonsports.tv/duke/

[Bluedog]

Rivals.com ranked NCCU as the worst team in all of DI. Yep, #340 out of 340. But Gardner-Webb was ranked 300, so shouldn't take any team lightly, of course. Just thought it was interesting....

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=735519

[Indoor66]

Rivals.com ranked NCCU as the worst team in all of DI. Yep, #340 out of 340. But Gardner-Webb was ranked 300, so shouldn't take any team lightly, of course. Just thought it was interesting....

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=735519

Any Given Night. Rankings are rankings and W & L's are determined on the Court. Any more clichés that have a lot of truth?

[mehmattski]

Any Given Night. Rankings are rankings and W & L's are determined on the Court. Any more clichés that have a lot of truth?

Duke needs to give 110% and leave it all on the court.

[captmojo]

Any Given Night. Rankings are rankings and W & L's are determined on the Court. Any more clichés that have a lot of truth?

A bird in hand, really can make a mess.

A penny saved, is a really crappy savings plan.

[MrBisonDevil]

Is this game really not on TV anywhere?

Not on TV as far as I know, but you can watch it online at ACC Select for 5 bucks. This was mentioned in another thread, so I won't take credit for it. :)
http://acc.playonsports.tv/duke/

Don't know about TV, but the audio play-by-play is on XM radio:
11/9/2007 -- North Carolina Central @ Duke -- 7:00PMET -- XM 191

[gep]

Any Given Night. Rankings are rankings and W & L's are determined on the Court. Any more clichés that have a lot of truth?

That's why they play the game...

[hurleyfor3]

Duke needs to give 110% and leave it all on the court.

And take it one game at a time. Survive and advance. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Duke gets all the calls. Go to hell Carolina.

[SilkyJ]

And take it one game at a time. Survive and advance. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Duke gets all the calls. Go to hell Carolina.

Redick for 3...Good!

[RelativeWays]

To be the man, you gotta beat the man.

[3rd Dukie]

Any Given Night. Rankings are rankings and W & L's are determined on the Court. Any more clichés that have a lot of truth?

I'm thinking we need to step our game and take it to the next level.

[captmojo]

I just want to help the team.

[throatybeard]

We gotta do the things we need to to do put ourselves in a position to win.

[DevilAlumna]

I just want to help the team.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes, it rains.

[mgtr]

This thread sounds a little like ex-NFL players commenting on a Sunday football game. "He came to play," "he's all heart," "he brought his A game," "he left it all on the field," etc, etc, ad nauseum.

[Bob Green]

In the Central preview, Carlos provides the best description I've read of Zoubek's traveling problems:


And for Zoubek he has to cut down on the turnover problems he had from last season when his pivot foot bounced around like Sen. Larry Craig’s in an airport bathroom stall.

An instant classic quote!

[gw67]

The Carlos game previews are a real treat and have been for several years. Not only does he know basketball but he has a good sense of fun in his previews. In addition to the Zoubek comment, I liked the reference to traveling "all star" teams and Calhoun's recruiting problems since he can't pay off AAU coaches.

We are lucky to have folks like Carlos and others (Ping used to provide nice previews in the early days) devote some time to "scouting" the opposition and providing well written summaries.

By the way, Sagarin has Central tied for last in his ratings. All able bodied players should play a bunch tonight.

gw67

[bird]

I'm taking my 4'7" son to the game tonight, and we have west side general admission tickets. Doors open at 5:30? Do general admission mean corner seats? Any chance of getting front or near front row seats if we are there at 5:30?

[mehmattski]

Carlos' article is good- and by the tone of the first few paragraphs it's difficult to see the reasoning behind NCCU's rise to Div I? Is it just a basketball decision, or are they making the move for other sports as well? Do they feel they can get into a conference before their 5 year probationary period expires? I'm intrigued.

Also, Al Featherston's article on goduke.com is just as awesome as ever. I remembered hearing about the Secret game, but those details were great. He also mentions that the Eagles were allowed to practice in Cameron before tonight's game: it's true, I saw a team practicing yesterday in Cameron and it wasn't the Blue Devils!

I'm extremely excited for this game- the half of the year that doesn't have Duke basketball games is decidedly less thrilling. The way this team is likely to play, fast offense and pressure defense, is going to be fun to watch, no matter the result.

[DevilAlumna]

BTTT, 9F, Go Duke!

[cajundevil74]

Ugh - starting to look like Chuck Nevitt

[Battierfan01]

Listening to the game on XM and just thought I would give a quick score update at the half:

DUKE 54
NCCU 21

[Bob Green]

Taylor King has scored 13 points and is 3-4 from behind the arc.

[yancem]

Does anyone know if any of the AM stations broadcast over the net or another way to listen to the game for free?

[yancem]

Trying to keep track of the game on the internet is frustrating! The jump TV link from goduke.com and Game Center from CBS show the same team scores but different individual stats. ESPN still shows the game at the 18 minute mark in the first half. Now not even the team scores are the same! Arghhh!!!!

[dcarp23]

I always have found cbssportsline to have the best updated scoretracker. Never sure why ESPNs isn't better. Duke is up 88-43 with 10 to go and has really heated up from outside in the 2nd half.

[hughgs]

Carlos' article is good- and by the tone of the first few paragraphs it's difficult to see the reasoning behind NCCU's rise to Div I? Is it just a basketball decision, or are they making the move for other sports as well? Do they feel they can get into a conference before their 5 year probationary period expires? I'm intrigued.

NCCU is trying to move up in all sports. Their volleyball team is doing quite well.

[M B Walker]

5:10 to go.

Score is 101-55.

Best news is that Duke has six players in double digits, and two others with 9 points each.

[yancem]

5:10 to go.

Score is 101-55.

Best news is that Duke has six players in double digits, and two others with 9 points each.

CBS has the score as 101-445; 5:03 remaining?

Other good news is that Duke has 10 players with 10 or more minutes!

[cajundevil74]

101 - 49 with less than 4:00 remaining.

We are such a different and better team this year.

[M B Walker]

CBS has the score as 101-445; 5:03 remaining?

You're right, I think, my bad. Should have been 101-45, not 55 (and certainly not 445).

Currently 103-49, 3:58 to go.