CLASH OF THE TITANS
Duke (#4 AP, #4 USA Today) comes into the match against Kansas (#5 AP, #6 USA Today), following an incredible performance against Davidson where the Devils shot 70.4% from the floor and had four players with at least 20 points. A solid game by any standards but frankly Davidson has nowhere near the talent the Blue Devils will see tomorrow night in Chacago's United Center at 10:00 p.m. (ESPN).
Meanwhile, the Jayhawks defeated Louisiana-Monroe at home by 17 points, led by super-freshman Andrew Wiggins who netted 16 in his inaugural college game. Sophomores Perry Ellis (6'8", 225lbs, PF) and Andrew White, III (6'6", 210, SG) each had 12 for Kansas, which had 10 players to score in the game for a balanced attack. Freshmen Frank Mason (5'11", 185, PG) and Wayne Selden (6'5", 230, SG) started the game along with Ellis, Wiggins, and standout transfer Tarik Black (6'9", 260, PF / C).
The spotlight will be on the freshmen, with Jabari Parker versus Andrew Wiggins taking center stage following a barrage of hype from ESPN, et als. The acclaim so far seems to be appropriate, however, as Parker was nearly flawless against Davidson, (8/10 FG's) and Wiggins showed some flair and serious confidence on the court leading a deeply talented Kansas team in scoring in his first collegiate game. Kansas also has another freshman with high potential in 7'0" center, Joel Embiid from Cameroon.
The Blue Devils will look to ride the momentum from the Davidson game and continue it on the Chicago Bulls homecourt (and also homecoming for Coach K, Parker, and new Assistant Jon Scheyer). Expect another fast paced game as, unlike Davidson, Kansas will be able to run with the Blue Devils and match Duke's athleticism. Both teams have great depth and can throw 10 legitimate players on the floor.
Kansas is traditionally a very efficient team, taking good shots and playing solid defense (Kansas was 9th in the nation in FG shooting % last year). Duke does have a slight advantage in overall experience as Kansas only has 3 upperclassmen on their team. This should help the Blue Devils a bit at tipoff when the entire college basketball world will have their eyes glued to this matchup.
There are a few different "Vegas" lines on the game currently. Some sites have the Blue Devils as 5 point favorites, while others have them as 3.5 point favorites. This game can be whittled down essentially to two main strengths in each team: 3-point shooting for the Blue Devils and post play / rebounding for the Jayhawks.
Duke has capable 3-point shooters all over the floor in Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Rodney Hood, Tyler Thornton, Jabari Parker, Matt Jones, Andre Dawkins, Matt Jones, and even Semi Ojeleye; as a team Duke ranked 6th in the nation last year in 3-point shooting percentage. Duke needs to hit their outside shots to beat the Jayhawks.
What the Jayhawks lack (by comparison) in 3-point shooting ability they make up for in the post. Tarik Black could be huge for the Jayhawks in this game. He already has a degree from Memphis in only 3 years and is using his last year of eligibility in Lawrence, Kansas, after heavily considering a Duke transfer. His intelligence, experience, and size could pose a problem for the Blue Devils down low. I can see Black drawing fouls from smaller Duke defenders (Jefferson, Hairston, Hood and even Parker). Further, his play could lead to Duke playing 7'0" freshman Marshall Plumlee more, which would change their otherwise athletic pace. This would be a great game for Marshall to develop the Brian Zoubek ability of altering shots.
At the end of the day in this "Clash of Titans" and matchup of title hopefuls, I expect Duke's 3-point shooting ability and defense to win the day over a tenacious and well-balanced Kansas team. Look for freshmen on both teams to mature quickly under the bright lights of the United Center, and hopefully we'll see these two teams playing each other again in April.
DUKE 84, KANSAS 75.
--Chip Slate @
Duke (#4 AP, #4 USA Today) comes into the match against Kansas (#5 AP, #6 USA Today), following an incredible performance against Davidson where the Devils shot 70.4% from the floor and had four players with at least 20 points. A solid game by any standards but frankly Davidson has nowhere near the talent the Blue Devils will see tomorrow night in Chacago's United Center at 10:00 p.m. (ESPN).
Meanwhile, the Jayhawks defeated Louisiana-Monroe at home by 17 points, led by super-freshman Andrew Wiggins who netted 16 in his inaugural college game. Sophomores Perry Ellis (6'8", 225lbs, PF) and Andrew White, III (6'6", 210, SG) each had 12 for Kansas, which had 10 players to score in the game for a balanced attack. Freshmen Frank Mason (5'11", 185, PG) and Wayne Selden (6'5", 230, SG) started the game along with Ellis, Wiggins, and standout transfer Tarik Black (6'9", 260, PF / C).
The spotlight will be on the freshmen, with Jabari Parker versus Andrew Wiggins taking center stage following a barrage of hype from ESPN, et als. The acclaim so far seems to be appropriate, however, as Parker was nearly flawless against Davidson, (8/10 FG's) and Wiggins showed some flair and serious confidence on the court leading a deeply talented Kansas team in scoring in his first collegiate game. Kansas also has another freshman with high potential in 7'0" center, Joel Embiid from Cameroon.
The Blue Devils will look to ride the momentum from the Davidson game and continue it on the Chicago Bulls homecourt (and also homecoming for Coach K, Parker, and new Assistant Jon Scheyer). Expect another fast paced game as, unlike Davidson, Kansas will be able to run with the Blue Devils and match Duke's athleticism. Both teams have great depth and can throw 10 legitimate players on the floor.
Kansas is traditionally a very efficient team, taking good shots and playing solid defense (Kansas was 9th in the nation in FG shooting % last year). Duke does have a slight advantage in overall experience as Kansas only has 3 upperclassmen on their team. This should help the Blue Devils a bit at tipoff when the entire college basketball world will have their eyes glued to this matchup.
There are a few different "Vegas" lines on the game currently. Some sites have the Blue Devils as 5 point favorites, while others have them as 3.5 point favorites. This game can be whittled down essentially to two main strengths in each team: 3-point shooting for the Blue Devils and post play / rebounding for the Jayhawks.
Duke has capable 3-point shooters all over the floor in Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Rodney Hood, Tyler Thornton, Jabari Parker, Matt Jones, Andre Dawkins, Matt Jones, and even Semi Ojeleye; as a team Duke ranked 6th in the nation last year in 3-point shooting percentage. Duke needs to hit their outside shots to beat the Jayhawks.
What the Jayhawks lack (by comparison) in 3-point shooting ability they make up for in the post. Tarik Black could be huge for the Jayhawks in this game. He already has a degree from Memphis in only 3 years and is using his last year of eligibility in Lawrence, Kansas, after heavily considering a Duke transfer. His intelligence, experience, and size could pose a problem for the Blue Devils down low. I can see Black drawing fouls from smaller Duke defenders (Jefferson, Hairston, Hood and even Parker). Further, his play could lead to Duke playing 7'0" freshman Marshall Plumlee more, which would change their otherwise athletic pace. This would be a great game for Marshall to develop the Brian Zoubek ability of altering shots.
At the end of the day in this "Clash of Titans" and matchup of title hopefuls, I expect Duke's 3-point shooting ability and defense to win the day over a tenacious and well-balanced Kansas team. Look for freshmen on both teams to mature quickly under the bright lights of the United Center, and hopefully we'll see these two teams playing each other again in April.
DUKE 84, KANSAS 75.
--Chip Slate @
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