Duke Vs. Clemson (Round 2)

[CameronBornAndBred]

This game is HUGE...and in my mind is a must win. If we win, we have proved we can win a true road game against a good team. If we lose, we lose our second in a row, 3rd in the ACC, and have yet to prove we can beat a team on the road at their place.

[Jesus_hurley]

This game is HUGE...and in my mind is a must win. If we win, we have proved we can win a true road game against a good team. If we lose, we lose our second in a row, 3rd in the ACC, and have yet to prove we can beat a team on the road at their place.

I agree - not just our 3rd loss in ACC play but drops us to .500 in the ACC. Still +2 over the 'Holes but .500 nonetheless.

Let's Go Duke!

[wilson]

This is indeed a very big game. I sort of hate to call it a must-win, though, because I don't think we're going to win.
I don't recall the last time I flat-out didn't expect us to win (if that's even ever happened), but honestly, I'll be surprised if we win tonight.
In a vacuum, I don't really think losing on the road to this Climpsun team would be all that shameful, but if that should come to pass tonight, there'll definitely be some unpleasant things on this season's tea leaves.

[Jesus_hurley]

Yeah, a win will be tough to come by tonight. I don't think I've heard a single so-called expert call for a Duke win tonight. Not that I take stock in what they say, but it's a lot harder to win in Littlejohn then Cameron

[wilson]

Yeah, a win will be tough to come by tonight. I don't think I've heard a single so-called expert call for a Duke win tonight. Not that I take stock in what they say, but it's a lot harder to win in Littlejohn then Cameron

Seth Davis is picking us (yes, a Duke grad, but I consider him to be pretty impartial and very knowledgeable):
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... =CBSsports

[captmojo]

Please don't show up in those frickkin' black unis!!!!!!!!!!!

[wilson]

Please don't show up in those frickkin' black unis!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm crossing my fingers that the boys will want to shed the abysmal mojo they provided on Wednesday. They are absolutely putrid. I hate the inclusion of even the smallest black stitch on any Duke uni.
And that horrible screened image on the back of our current unis makes it doubly horrendous. That shit is so ugly it's embarrassing.

[EarlJam]

This is indeed a very big game. I sort of hate to call it a must-win, though, because I don't think we're going to win.
I don't recall the last time I flat-out didn't expect us to win (if that's even ever happened), but honestly, I'll be surprised if we win tonight.
In a vacuum, I don't really think losing on the road to this Climpsun team would be all that shameful, but if that should come to pass tonight, there'll definitely be some unpleasant things on this season's tea leaves.

This post could very well have come directly from me, as it nails my thoughts precisely.

Look for the refs to be at the center again (more than usual tonight). Why? Because 1) Clemson is looking for revenge and will no doubt come out VERY fired up and ready to punch Duke in the mouth and 2) Duke got embarrassed by State and Coach K has a history of really firing up the team for the game after such a performance. They will be looking to take it to Clemson hard.

So what you get is a clash of highly-motivated teams in a game that both see as a possible, some-what, must-win.

It'll get physical, and the refs will have to do something. Let's just hope they handle it in the best way possible.

Duke can win, but Scheyer or Singler are going to have to hit from outside while the inside game will have to bang away (more Plumlees!).

-EarlJam

[captmojo]

It'll get physical, and the refs will have to do something. Let's just hope they handle it in the best way possible.

Duke can win, but Scheyer or Singler are going to have to hit from outside while the inside game will have to bang away (more Plumlees!).

-EarlJam

If it gets as physical as the last few conference games, someone could be seriously injured. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

The inside players need to know that the backboard is there for more than just holding up a rim! Damn it!

...and burn those blasted black unis!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

In addition to the comments already made, I'd add that this game tonight is another test of how the team handles this year's schedule. It's a late game with one day of rest less than Clemson. Marshaling physical/mental strength and toughness is essential for Duke to pull out a win in a very hostile environment.

"In My Own Words" featured Coach K earlier today. After watching his discussion of the elements of success, I'm certain that how he's approaching this game is more positive and direct than a few online pundits and posters have opined.

[devildeac]

I look for an absolute mugging by clempson at their gym tonight in a loosely called affair on one end of the court and y'all pretty much know which end to which I am referring. I pretty much agree with wilson on this one and unfortunately look for another bad road L for our guys.

[EarlJam]

Watching ESPN and seeing that we have Vitale tonight. This will be my first game seeing, um, er, hearing him this year. To me at least, he's seemed a little quieter this year.

-EarlJam

[EarlJam]

Before the game starts, I just wanted you all to know...........................I love you guys.

-EarlJam

[Lavabe]

Henceforth, Oliver Purnell shall be referred to as:

SLEEPY

"They're getting tired!! You got to believe me!!"

[Lavabe]

BeDeviler=LT.

2nd place: The guy who spiked the Duke Gatorade with No-Doz.

[gadzooks]

Oh ye of little faith.

[wilson]

Great win for the boys tonight. To me, this one was about as pleasing as a win over someone other than carolina can possibly be. I have several thoughts:
1. If I had to choose one word to describe tonight's team performance, it'd be "gritty." There was a steeliness about the team that has been a hallmark of memorable Duke teams over the years, but that can't be imparted...it's either there or it's not.
2. This was an absolute clinic on defense. Booker got his, but nobody else did, and there were precious few (if any) true lapses on that end of the floor.
3. For that matter, this was an immensely well coached game in all respects, even by K's already lofty standards. Spacing and execution on both sides of the ball were perfect all night, and the team seemed to have really absorbed Coach K's total refusal to accept anything less than their very best effort.
4. Though he was the leading scorer, Nolan still gets my nod as the beDeviler, and you can just keep putting that down until I give further notice. When we need two points, I want the ball in Nolan's hands, period.
Big time, all-around performance by the Duke Blue Devils tonight. This one was a lot of fun.

[wilson]

Great win for the boys tonight. To me, this one was about as pleasing as a win over someone other than carolina can possibly be. I have several thoughts:
1. If I had to choose one word to describe tonight's team performance, it'd be "gritty." There was a steeliness about the team that has been a hallmark of memorable Duke teams over the years, but that can't be imparted...it's either there or it's not.
2. This was an absolute clinic on defense. Booker got his, but nobody else did, and there were precious few (if any) true lapses on that end of the floor.
3. For that matter, this was an immensely well coached game in all respects, even by K's already lofty standards. Spacing and execution on both sides of the ball were perfect all night, and the team seemed to have really absorbed Coach K's total refusal to accept anything less than their very best effort.
4. Though he was the leading scorer, Nolan still gets my nod as the beDeviler, and you can just keep putting that down until I give further notice. When we need two points, I want the ball in Nolan's hands, period.
Big time, all-around performance by the Duke Blue Devils tonight. This one was a lot of fun.

One more thought: Poetic redemption, isn't it, to go into tough, tough Littlejohn, desperately hoping to bounce back & silence some critics, and return the favor of last season's debacle by turning the tables and holding Climpsun to a familiar 47 points?