Originally Posted by
CDu
It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a Duke team overcame major adversity to win a game against a very talented, well-coached team in a game they shouldn't win. Let's hope it happens.
As for the game, UVa is pretty athletic at every spot, and fairly long and physical. They are able to switch seamlessly on screens at 3-4 positions when Gill is in at PF. Tobey is an underrated player on both ends inside and will certainly make Okafor work. He may be the best one-on-one defender in the post that Okafor has faced this year. Actually, I'll say he is the best, and it might not be very close.
On top of that, UVa will almost certainly trap Okafor inside with a second big. And they are extremely good at defensive rotations, so it won't be easy to punish them for that help.
Trogdon and Anderson are extremely physical, extremely capable wings. Perrantes is a little less consistent as a scorer, but he runs the offense well and (like everyone) he defends well.
There isn't anything in particular that UVa does poorly. They are careful with the ball, they score extremely efficiently, and they defend ferociously.
The one thing we can hope is that Okafor and our 3pt shooters are on, and that Brogdon and Anderson and Perrantes are off. If that is the case, we can certainly win this game.
Looking forward to seeing how the team responds to adversity. Hopefully they band together and play a great game tomorrow!
Actually this is the first time that a Duke team will have to overcome this kind of adversity. I'm really worried about the next couple of weeks. K is going to have his work cut out for him, not in the coaching department. I do not see this game going well. If youth has been a reason that we've lost games when to State and Miami, then I think youth is a reason that we are not going to be prepared to play this game.
Regardless, I'm going to watch this game to see if we play hard. If we play hard and lose, even if we get creamed (possible), I think we will be okay in the long run. If we look really troubled, then I will be really troubled.
Whatever the hell "it" is, Jabari found it.
-Roy "Ole Huck" Williams