Thoughts on the Va Tech game...

This will be not only my first basketball post of the year but also my first recap. As everyone who cares has read the Blue Devils went up to Blacksburg and played a hungry VT team desperate for another 'big' win to put on the their resumes so that they might not get the big shaft in 2 weeks. VT had alot riding on this game and even though Duke is already a lock they still had something to gain from winning.

Not only was pride at stake but also keeping pace with our neighbors 8 miles away and the other 3 teams that were 1 game behind in the standings. Correct me if I am wrong but even if Duke beats baby blue in Chapel Hill they will merely get a piece of the regular season crown and therefore will be seeded 2nd in the ACC tourney. Not that Duke doesn't want to hand another banner but to me getting a bye is the most important thing. I think there is a big difference between playing 3 days in a row versus 4. This is especially true noting that G was a little winded in the 2nd half. That extra day could prove invaluable. On the other hand VT had seeding to play for not only in the ACC but the NCAA. A win over Duke would have given them a very good chance of making the tourney this year. And being that it was at home they had the fans on their side. All this makes a Duke win that much more impressive, the past 2 games they have gone into hostile environments(if you want to consider Maryland hostile, I would call it a shithole) were the home team needed a win and Duke came out winners. Even though I am not crazy about finishing the end of the season with 75% of your games being away from home this might turn out to be a good warmup for things to come.

And of course Duke's play in the ACC will be the guiding factor in whether they get a #2 or 3 seed in the NCAA's. From my point of view the seeding is second to who is in our region. I would rather be a #3 in a region w/o Pitt or Oklahoma than a #2 in it. Plus as long as they don't have to play VCU/WVU they might have a shot getting out of the first weekend.

Speaking of getting over their recent slump I have seen alot of things to write about in the ensuing months but I must say that putting Elliot in the starting 5 with 5 games to go was one of Coach K's best in recent memory. He finally noticed that the other 2 point guards who recieved the bulk of PT simply were not getting the job done with regards to defending a quick point guard. Now if this were the Big 10 it wouldn't not be a problem but you can make an arguement that over 2/3's of ACC point guards have that fifth gear. I don't think that it was coincidence that in their 2 major losses (baby blue & BC) guard play was crucial. Hell there were times in those games everbody watching knew who was going to get it and what he was going to do. I could have blown past Paulus for a layup in those games and I don't even play basketball recreationally. K saw this and looked to the only guy currently on our team that migth be able to keep up. He earned his newfound PT during practice and kept plugging away even though he did not get the minutes maybe a McDonalds AA thinks they should be getting earlier in the season. Elliot makes for a good story and so far he has payed off, now lets see how he plays with only a days rest between games and the whole world watching his every walk(thats for you Biscuit).

Time will tell but I must say I am quietly confident that Duke will make a run out of the first weekend and surpass the shortcomings of the last 2 tourneys.