MBB: Miami vs. Duke Pre-Game & In-Game Thread (1/21, 12:00pm ET, ESPN)
Let's Go Duke!
I haven't seen a line, but I think the game favors Miami on paper. On the other hand, I personally think Duke should win this game. The outcome remains to be seen.
Miami is playing well this year, and they have a lot of strengths. They shoot better from the field and score more than Duke, with pretty balanced scoring led by the guy in the ACC who may be my favorite non-Blue Devil player, Isaiah Wong. Norchad Omier is a wide-bodied beast on the boards averaging a double-double. They shoot FTs well as a team. Miami also won at Duke last year (remember the poor end game defense that offset a comeback led by Banchero? I sure do, I traveled 3000 miles for that one), so their veteran team feels confident that they can win at Cameron and won't be fazed much by the Crazies. They made the Elite 8 last year with much of the same personnel. And Jim Larranaga is no slouch as a coach.
That being said, Duke plays better, much better, at home. The team seems to feed off the energy. They have a week off from the schedule, but it's a good bet that they are practicing - and practicing hard. The staff can and should focus on improvement and Miami for the whole week (though Miami also won't have played since Monday). I think Duke must take advantage of their size both offensively and defensively (Duke can play taller), limit turnovers, hit their FTs and not stink up the place shooting. Using size to get a key guy in foul trouble, especially down low, would be great. So I am trusting in these things to carry Duke through. And if Roach can come back and give them a lift, that emotion inside Cameron can only help.
Duke's road woes are evident, but they are undefeated at home. In order to position itself well for the post-season, Duke must defend home court. They can afford a slip up, but not many. So here's hoping Duke saves that chit for another game, and they log a key win against the #17 team in the country.
9F
I will never talk about That Game. GTHC.