Bilas as the commentator, Jay Williams as halftime analyst, and probably Mrs. K serving as sideline reporter. I get the Zion hype, but man ESPN is over the top with him & Duke.
has a busted knee you can't even think about taking him first. If you want to get Durant and say Irving, you can't punt a season.
And Zion's game is basically 100% reliant on athleticism. And he's enormous to begin with, that kind of weight with his athleticism is going to put a lot of stress on those knees, if he has a blown knee already, I would not take him top 3.
I want Ja Morant or Barrett. Think both will be terrific pros. I'd take Zion 3rd.
Although Zion (if healthy) on a team with Durant and Kyrie would fit like a glove. His weakness would be totally covered up. If Zion is healthy he will always be a good player, but I dont see him being a #1 star on a title team, no matter what ESPN wants you to believe he's no where even near LeBron at this age. On the right team he'd be worth the #1 pick, but on most teams I'd take Morant or Barrett before him.
I think Morant is going to be a better version of Westbrook
yikes. No one hates Duke more than I do, but RJ Barrett will be a really really good pro.
Of course I picked last year to go to Cameron for UNC-Duke.
I'll be in Chapel Hill in 17 days for the game. Hopefully Zion is back and healthy by then.
Roy needs to get Coby White out. I absolutely love White, but he's a turnover machine tonight. UNC is only going to lose this game if they give it away now. And of course as I say that Woods turns it over.
I can see that being a flagrant. Close. I'd probably lean flagrant.
Think the refs have been more than fair all night, including a few favorable whistles for UNC. Shocking to see that in Hansbrough Indoor Stadium
Anak, Dre is going to be a very nice player, but more of a complimentary player at the next level. If you want a really good but extensive deep dive on why he's a great player who.might have a bit of a limited ceiling, click the link Link - ( New Window )
I don't like the rule, but based on the rule I didn't think it was a terrible call, he brought up his elbow to protect himself but I've seen far less called flagrant.
Although based on the rule I think Reddish should have been flagrant in the 1h.
Neither one was really flagrant in my eyes, but the rule is stupid.
Hoo boy.....K granted a TO after the ball was already inbounded
is a terrible player. I can't believe he's even a scholarship player. He looks like he doesnt belong on a d1 floor every time he's on it.
Duke obviously was shell shocked because Zion went down, but the idea that this Duke team was an unstoppable train unless they screwed it up or got hurt was total horseshit that was completely media driven. Carolina passed the ball extremely well tonight, but both of UNC's freshman played like total dogshit and Duke got absolutely run out of the building.
This is obviously much different if Zion doesnt get hurt, but that narrative how they could only be beaten by themselves or injuries was maddening. There have been a number of teams over the last decade who would beat this Duke team on a neutral court. The idea that any team that has zero depth and all of their best players are true freshman is unbeatable unless they screw it up or get hurt is total horse shit. Especially one that doesn't shoot free throws well and doesn't shoot it well from 3.
If Zion comes back healthy, Duke definitely can win it, but an overwhelming favorite they are not. Experience and depth matters. Duke has none of either. It's rare to see a team overcome both of those in march. Not unheard of, but rare.
But they were down to their last 5 McD All Americans
Zion is obviously a huge loss, but Carolina just tore Duke apart. And when Duke looked like they getting back into it late in the first half, Carolina picked it back up with some strong possessions, and never looked back. Duke bounced back from the Syracuse loss with a good game against Virginia, but man, they just looked terrible tonight.
that he's hurt, it's not the NCAA's fault that the NBA won't let guys come straight out of high school anymore. No one forced Zion to play college basketball. His brand was big, but going to Duke and having the start that he did elevated his brand big time so lets not act like college basketball didn't provide any potential monetary benefit to him. People forget that not one recruiting service had him as the #1 overall recruit in his own class. The people that act like he's the next LeBron and compare the two are brain dead. LeBron was thought of as the #1 player in his class for years and hyped for years. Zion was not thought of as the best player in his class really at any point. The hype has gotten insane and I don't want to make it seem like I think the guy isnt any good, he clearly is, but anyone who compares him to LeBron is brain dead.
even know another team played in the game. This is being covered like Zion got hurt against Wake Forest.
UNC has flaws for sure, but they can win a title. And they just slapped the shit out of Duke in Cameron. Sure the injury had a big impact, but jesus you wouldn't even know a top 10 team besides Duke played tonight never mind actually won and won easily.
Rece Davis "I don't think it's close they're the best team in the country with Zion"
Based on what, Rece? They are arguably the best team in the country, but they're all freshman. It's like they just watch Zion dunk time and time again and think wow that's easily the best team in the country.
Their win against Louisville was impressive last week, but lets not forget that they fell behind by 23 points in the first place. I just dont know where the hell this narrative is coming from that this Duke team can't be beat at full strength.
is usually impartial when it comes to Duke, but he has his moments where he's a homer. But it's understandable, I wouldn't expect any Duke grad to never have some moments of being a homer. For the most part he's professional when it comes to Duke.
Gonna have to, ah, go ahead and disagree with you there, Bob
Yeesh. Was really hoping they'd get to the dance this year but if they're not chosen it will be hard to complain. They've had some big wins but terrible losses too.
I don't know why Zion would even consider playing until the 2nd round of the tournament, if at all, even if it's just a mild knee sprain. Tournament begins 4 weeks tomorrow. So that would give him at least 30 days to heal if he sits until 2nd round or whatever the hell they call the round of 32 now.
Roy doing another incredible job. Had a team of misfits getting blown out of buildings in November ... but is now 7-0 on the road in ACC play and likely Johnson/Little injuries away from being 12-1 in conference overall.
Really impressive job.
The Rat Ferrett spending his news conference whining about injuries (when he's 22-3 anyway) also brings a smile to my face. K just can't catch a break boo hoo
I'm not surprised by the outcome considering the injury.
With the 4 freshmen, they can limit the amount of damage the 5th player causes most of the time. Against the Zags, the 5th player (whether it was Bolden/White/DeLaurier) got his ass whipped all game. Against Syracuse, the non-freshmen literally couldn't hit a shot or play a lick of defense. White and O'Connell stink. Bolden and DeLaurier are below average players. Goldwire can play defense and nothing else.
It sucks for Duke, but Zion has to be "selfish" here. It would be idiotic to do anything other than shut it down the rest of the season.
it's different losing a guy in the beginning of the game like that especially with the hype around him than preparing to play without him. But jesus christ they still have 2 of the top 5 picks in the upcoming draft and a terrific point guard, pasrticularly defensively, in Jones. He's the best on the ball perimeter defender ive seen in a while. I dont see him being more than a rotational player maybe in the NBA, but he's a damn good college player. The reason Duke has no depth isn't because of bad luck its because of the way K has chosen to recruit now. Duke is nothing more than a pit stop and the lack of depth is a result of their new recruiting strategy last 6-7 years.
but if Jones leaves with the other 3, they certainly will not be a title contender. They will be a team whose experience will be in the form of players who quite simply arent any good and the freshman they will have will be no where near what they have this year. They'll be a top 20 team regardless but if Jones leaves they will see a big dropoff.
Yes, they still have 2-3 top prospects on the floor.
The problem is their other guys STINK. They can cover up 1 bad spot. It becomes hard for anyone to cover up 2. Gonzaga isn't going to have bad players on the floor. UNC isn't going to have bad players on the floor. Against Gonzaga, they had White, who I've yet to discover what he's good at on a basketball court, trying to guard Rui Hachimura. When they had to play BOTH White and O'Connell, they couldn't beat Syracuse.
No one feels sorry for them, but they're going to have a really difficult time trying to be an elite team without their full compliment of guys.
likely Johnson/Little injuries away from being 12-1 in conference overall.
Hahaha...yeah, run with that. Little sure was a difference maker tonight, wasn't he, with those 2 points and 3 turnovers? Thr guy sucks. Johnson missed not quite 4 minutes of game time. He went down at 6:17 when we tied the game at 55. He came back in at 2:27 with the score 61-59. Know what happened then with Johnson back in the game? Guy drilled two 3s in 30 seconds to win the game. So you keep making your excuses and I'll keep laughing at them.
But thats no one elses fault besides Coach K. But the media will never say anything about their lack of depth and lack of decent players outside of the top 4. They will instead act like it's everyone elses fault besides his and basically just bad luck.
K gets all the credit when things go well, and takes none of the blame when things go wrong. And the media eats it right up.
Lack of depth isnt bad luck. This is what you get when your school is nothing more than a pit stop at this point. K has become everything he railed against as a coach for years. You don't see him making decent players good anymore. The Nolan Smith's are a thing of the past. A guy who came in as a good but not great prospect and then his senior year was a terrific college player.
K has the media wrapped right around his finger so you will never hear a peep about his actual coaching not being what it once was.
RE: Yes, they still have 2-3 top prospects on the floor.
#1 I could watch Duke and those Cameron ingrates get their asses handed to them on a non stop loop for a week straight and never get tired of it.
#2 watching the tempo of the game made me miss the ACC. I know the outside shooting was beyond abominable, Don't get me wrong the B1G is very competitive and top to bottom is probably the deepest conference in the country but my god the games can be oppressive to watch. Most of the games lately have been in the teens or low 20's with 2 or 3 minutes to go in the half. I've watched the Virginia-Duke games, Duke-Syracuse and some others and the speed and tempo of the games is on another level.
#3 obviously the Duke world better do a collective prayer Zion comes back soon. without him their interior defense is some of the worst I've seen in the country and they can't shoot 3's.
Meh it's a big rivalry and I've noticed Roy likes to chat after his team wins. I'd have done the same thing here. He's still better after a loss than Bellicheck!
and was hoping to get lucky and have Duke seeded there. I am gonna be bummed if this makes it a Zion-less Duke.
Zero chance Duke is going to be in Hartford. Duke will almost certainly play in Columbia, SC 1st and 2nd rounds. The only chance of Duke being in Hartford is if they somehow fall to a 5 seed which has zero chance of happening.
and was hoping to get lucky and have Duke seeded there. I am gonna be bummed if this makes it a Zion-less Duke.
Zero chance Duke is going to be in Hartford. Duke will almost certainly play in Columbia, SC 1st and 2nd rounds. The only chance of Duke being in Hartford is if they somehow fall to a 5 seed which has zero chance of happening.
Well Duke gets the SC pod if they are one of the top 2 teams in that area... its theoretically possible that UVA and UNC both finish ahead of them in the rankings, though UVA I guess is roughly equal difference between SC and Columbus OH so the committee may just send them to Ohio.
But yes, even if Duke misses out on SC which is unlikely because Zion is coming back... their backup site is almost assuredly Jacksonville FL (6+ hours versus 10 to get to the northeast)
And probably a six year-old Vietnamese child, but that's another issue.
What about your boy, Hunter?
And Zion's game is basically 100% reliant on athleticism. And he's enormous to begin with, that kind of weight with his athleticism is going to put a lot of stress on those knees, if he has a blown knee already, I would not take him top 3.
I want Ja Morant or Barrett. Think both will be terrific pros. I'd take Zion 3rd.
Although Zion (if healthy) on a team with Durant and Kyrie would fit like a glove. His weakness would be totally covered up. If Zion is healthy he will always be a good player, but I dont see him being a #1 star on a title team, no matter what ESPN wants you to believe he's no where even near LeBron at this age. On the right team he'd be worth the #1 pick, but on most teams I'd take Morant or Barrett before him.
I think Morant is going to be a better version of Westbrook
Carlos Boozer
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Get Well Soon @ZionNPS
Of course I picked last year to go to Cameron for UNC-Duke.
I'll be in Chapel Hill in 17 days for the game. Hopefully Zion is back and healthy by then.
Roy needs to get Coby White out. I absolutely love White, but he's a turnover machine tonight. UNC is only going to lose this game if they give it away now. And of course as I say that Woods turns it over.
I can see that being a flagrant. Close. I'd probably lean flagrant.
Think the refs have been more than fair all night, including a few favorable whistles for UNC. Shocking to see that in Hansbrough Indoor Stadium
Link - ( New Window )
Although based on the rule I think Reddish should have been flagrant in the 1h.
Neither one was really flagrant in my eyes, but the rule is stupid.
Duke obviously was shell shocked because Zion went down, but the idea that this Duke team was an unstoppable train unless they screwed it up or got hurt was total horseshit that was completely media driven. Carolina passed the ball extremely well tonight, but both of UNC's freshman played like total dogshit and Duke got absolutely run out of the building.
This is obviously much different if Zion doesnt get hurt, but that narrative how they could only be beaten by themselves or injuries was maddening. There have been a number of teams over the last decade who would beat this Duke team on a neutral court. The idea that any team that has zero depth and all of their best players are true freshman is unbeatable unless they screw it up or get hurt is total horse shit. Especially one that doesn't shoot free throws well and doesn't shoot it well from 3.
If Zion comes back healthy, Duke definitely can win it, but an overwhelming favorite they are not. Experience and depth matters. Duke has none of either. It's rare to see a team overcome both of those in march. Not unheard of, but rare.
Krzyzewski never develops a bench anymore. Doesn't even make a pretense of it.
Ten minutes into SportsCenter and nothing but Zion injury coverage. No game highlights yet but him falling down. ZSPN indeed.
UNC has flaws for sure, but they can win a title. And they just slapped the shit out of Duke in Cameron. Sure the injury had a big impact, but jesus you wouldn't even know a top 10 team besides Duke played tonight never mind actually won and won easily.
Rece Davis "I don't think it's close they're the best team in the country with Zion"
Based on what, Rece? They are arguably the best team in the country, but they're all freshman. It's like they just watch Zion dunk time and time again and think wow that's easily the best team in the country.
Their win against Louisville was impressive last week, but lets not forget that they fell behind by 23 points in the first place. I just dont know where the hell this narrative is coming from that this Duke team can't be beat at full strength.
I don't know why Zion would even consider playing until the 2nd round of the tournament, if at all, even if it's just a mild knee sprain. Tournament begins 4 weeks tomorrow. So that would give him at least 30 days to heal if he sits until 2nd round or whatever the hell they call the round of 32 now.
And if I'm Team Zion I'm thinking seriously about shutting this thing down until the draft...
Really impressive job.
The Rat Ferrett spending his news conference whining about injuries (when he's 22-3 anyway) also brings a smile to my face. K just can't catch a break boo hoo
It sucks for Duke, but Zion has to be "selfish" here. It would be idiotic to do anything other than shut it down the rest of the season.
No one feels sorry for them, but they're going to have a really difficult time trying to be an elite team without their full compliment of guys.
Hahaha...yeah, run with that. Little sure was a difference maker tonight, wasn't he, with those 2 points and 3 turnovers? Thr guy sucks. Johnson missed not quite 4 minutes of game time. He went down at 6:17 when we tied the game at 55. He came back in at 2:27 with the score 61-59. Know what happened then with Johnson back in the game? Guy drilled two 3s in 30 seconds to win the game. So you keep making your excuses and I'll keep laughing at them.
But thats no one elses fault besides Coach K. But the media will never say anything about their lack of depth and lack of decent players outside of the top 4. They will instead act like it's everyone elses fault besides his and basically just bad luck.
K gets all the credit when things go well, and takes none of the blame when things go wrong. And the media eats it right up.
Lack of depth isnt bad luck. This is what you get when your school is nothing more than a pit stop at this point. K has become everything he railed against as a coach for years. You don't see him making decent players good anymore. The Nolan Smith's are a thing of the past. A guy who came in as a good but not great prospect and then his senior year was a terrific college player.
K has the media wrapped right around his finger so you will never hear a peep about his actual coaching not being what it once was.
Other than Seventh Woods, you mean?
Link - ( New Window )
A true jackass.
https://www.syracuse.com//crime/2019/02/syracuse-coach-jim-boeheim-hits-kills-man-walking-on-i-690.html - ( New Window )
Zion National Park, that is.
Link - ( New Window )
#2 watching the tempo of the game made me miss the ACC. I know the outside shooting was beyond abominable, Don't get me wrong the B1G is very competitive and top to bottom is probably the deepest conference in the country but my god the games can be oppressive to watch. Most of the games lately have been in the teens or low 20's with 2 or 3 minutes to go in the half. I've watched the Virginia-Duke games, Duke-Syracuse and some others and the speed and tempo of the games is on another level.
#3 obviously the Duke world better do a collective prayer Zion comes back soon. without him their interior defense is some of the worst I've seen in the country and they can't shoot 3's.
Hes such a POS.
Eye roll
Guy is a budding fucking superstar. Wow what a game he is playing today.
Quote:
. Link - ( New Window )
Hes such a POS.
Meh it's a big rivalry and I've noticed Roy likes to chat after his team wins. I'd have done the same thing here. He's still better after a loss than Bellicheck!
Zero chance Duke is going to be in Hartford. Duke will almost certainly play in Columbia, SC 1st and 2nd rounds. The only chance of Duke being in Hartford is if they somehow fall to a 5 seed which has zero chance of happening.
Quote:
and was hoping to get lucky and have Duke seeded there. I am gonna be bummed if this makes it a Zion-less Duke.
Zero chance Duke is going to be in Hartford. Duke will almost certainly play in Columbia, SC 1st and 2nd rounds. The only chance of Duke being in Hartford is if they somehow fall to a 5 seed which has zero chance of happening.
Well Duke gets the SC pod if they are one of the top 2 teams in that area... its theoretically possible that UVA and UNC both finish ahead of them in the rankings, though UVA I guess is roughly equal difference between SC and Columbus OH so the committee may just send them to Ohio.
But yes, even if Duke misses out on SC which is unlikely because Zion is coming back... their backup site is almost assuredly Jacksonville FL (6+ hours versus 10 to get to the northeast)