Duke is getting A LOT of respect!!!

[BearDownAZ]

Even though I am an avid Arizona fan, I can completely understand why Duke is favored the way they are, but there is something that stands out to me regarding this game:

Playing a complete game:

Maybe it the fact that Duke was playing Maryland and these games happen to go the way they did with lots of streaks from both teams, but Duke has not played a complete game in a long time from what I have seen. Their second half was AVERAGE at best (we already know about the first half! Maryland played horrible in the second half. . .

Arizona on the other hand played as close to a complete game as a team can against Michigan State. The two point halftime lead was a reflection of the Spartan's ability to rebound. . . this was negated in the second half by the Cats due to steals and a defensive shutdown.

Maybe Duke will come out and play a complete game on Monday. . . but I highly doubt it! They haven't against the other two Pac-10 teams they have played and I do not believe this will change Monday night. But I have to concede that Arizona may not either! I'll give the biased edge to Arizona here as they have been able to prove their ability to play a full, complete game. . . but we all know that Duke can as well.

Key Matchup:

Richard Jefferson vs. Jason Williams or Shane Battier:

Most of you who have not had the pleasure of watching Arizona this season or in the tournament for that matter, have missed incredible individual efforts by Jefferson to shut down the star on the opposing team. Against Illinois, it was Williams. . . with his long arms and quickness, I expect him to go up against Williams. . . but Lute may have different plans. Either way, if Jefferson can shut down one of the superstars as he has done the entire tournament, then it should help Arizona's fate tremendously. . .

Well, this is what I have come up with so far. . . obviously pro Arizona. . . I just loved what I saw from my Cats last night while Duke wasn't THAT impressive. Yes, they came back from a 20 point deficit. . . but do you honestly believe this would have happened against Arizona? Michigan State tried, and only came within nine. . . Duke may not be Michigan State, but Arizona is not Maryland either when it comes to clock management and coaching!

Can't wait till Monday night!

 

[maverick2112]

BearDown......I was very high on Arizona vs.Mich State but I just dont see Arizona winning this game........You say that Duke played only half a game vs USC and UCLA but they still won by double digits........If a team doesnt lose after being behind by 22 points then thats enough for me. I have a lot of respect for Arizona but I think this game kind of reminds me of Duke vs. UNC (although Arizona is faster than UNC) and Duke won handily the last 2 games......I would like to see Arizona win this game but after watching Maryland go down I think Arizona will too. I believe if Arizona gets a 22 point lead they will plummel Duke but realistically I just dont see this happening.I think what has happened this year with teams playing Duke is that you start trading 2's for 3's and Duke seems to get all the calls at the critical times. Yesterday against Maryland in the last 5 minutes it seemed like Duke got every fortunate break......this is when the game is close......Dont be fooled by that win over MSU like I posted numerous times before Saturday.....MSU didnt have 1 impressive win on the road this year......they were not near the team they were a year ago......Anyhow I see Duke winning by 10 points.....Good Luck

 

[BearDownAZ]

Well Maverick,

That's cool. . . we can argue about this before the game is played all night, but we don't know what is going to happen! I just think that Duke is not as invincible as people believe! The Duke comeback against Maryland was an absolute joke and didn't prove very much to me except that Maryland couldn't hold a sizeable lead! Also, these teams have had a habit of doing this in this series in the past so. . .

I understand why Duke is the favorite, but this game should be close and go either way. I believe it will go Arizona's way due to free throw shooting.

Also, USC and UCLA is NOT Arizona! Take a look at the numbers in the tournament and you can understand what I am saying. If Duke plays half a game against Arizona, they will not win. . . I think that is obvious. . .

[This message has been edited by BearDownAZ (edited 04-01-2001).]

 

[maverick2112]

Yes you are right.....usc and ucla are not Arizona but Ucla was the last team to beat Arizona and I think you will have to agree USC was playing much better when Duke beat them than when Arizona crushed them......Something else to ponder....I know this doesnt me much to these current teams but this is stuff I think about.......What are the chances a team enters the championship game 2 of the last 3 years(Duke 99 and Duke 01) as a favorite and loses outright both times.........I cant help but think Dukes staff and some of their players will remember how the blew the big one to UCONN 2 years ago...

 

[jiwos2m1]

got a question. do any of you think that duke comming back fromm 22 points down will have an effect on them? it takes a lot of emotion and stamina to do what they did and now they have to play with only one day off and face a speed team like az. Will it wear on them late in the game? something to think about i think. what about you guys?

 

[BearDownAZ]

Regarding UCLA, yes, Arizona lost to them on the road and in overtime. . . but I would argue that UCLA was playing their best ball at that time (they also beat Stanford around that time of the season) and not during the tournament! You are right on the money regarding USC. . . we caught them when they were playing terrible ball and Duke played them when they were playing good ball.

Interesting mention of the odds that the favorite will lose again. I personally believe that it means absolutely nothing going into this game, but I do have something to say about it. I believe that the product of the Vegas line is more so on public appeal AND how a team has performed overall. . . it doesn't really take into account how a team has been performing and I would argue that UCONN was playing better ball in the tourney before the Duke matchup anyways. And I would argue that Arizona is playing better ball than Duke so far in the tourney. . . will they on Monday??? Guess we will find out!

 

[BigDog]

Arizona all the way!!!!!!!

 

[BigDog]

When Duke stumbles in the first half, Arizona will NOT blow a 15 to 22 point lead. They had better come out blasting and get a 12-15 point lead right away, or else they will be catfood.

 

[He Hate Me]

Duhon has a headache,Duke 0-2-1 ATs vs Pac 10.

 

[BearDownAZ]

However, Arenas was having problems today in practice due to his back. . . its hard to know how both players will do on Monday given their injuries. . .