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Duke might have to beat Bama, Houston and Florida to win the Title

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The Duke Bama game should be a fun one.

I don't imagine Bama hitting 25 threes (or whatever it was they made against BYU) twice in a row. And obviously Duke's defense is a couple steps above BYUs (although it didn't look that great against Arizona last night).

But both teams hit the century mark last night, and I am anticipating another high scoring game tomorrow.

I had these teams in my Elite 8 with Bama winning.

I think it is a toss up, but will give the slightest edge to Bama.
 
The Duke Bama game should be a fun one.

I don't imagine Bama hitting 25 threes (or whatever it was they made against BYU) twice in a row. And obviously Duke's defense is a couple steps above BYUs (although it didn't look that great against Arizona last night).

But both teams hit the century mark last night, and I am anticipating another high scoring game tomorrow.

I had these teams in my Elite 8 with Bama winning.

I think it is a toss up, but will give the slightest edge to Bama.
Duke wasn't allowed to play defense last night, had 7-8 guys in foul trouble with 8 minutes left. If they call the game like last night we're in trouble, if Alabama goes nuclear from 3 then it won't matter anyway because no one is beating that.
 
BYU made no attempt at defensive adjustments. Once a team has made 10, 15, 20 3-pointers, you might want to consider not going under ball screens. Bama had wide open 3-pointers all day.

Duke switches most everything... and we're not going to go under ball screens all day. And we're longer and more athletic. Now don't get me wrong, the #1 tempo and the #4 offense is still a freakishly deadly combo. Alabama is going to get their points. And even if they fall behind by double digits, they can easily make that up in 2-3 minutes. I suspect this game will be in the 80's.

And to the point made by bignish, yes, Duke's path actually is very challenging. One thing I'd say, though, is I found last night's game to be encouraging, even though it may have been closer than we would have liked. Caleb Love played arguably the best game of his career... and they still lost by 7 points.
 
This is literally the hardest path imaginable. We can’t all have UConn’s fairy tale tournament runs I guess.

Whoever wins this chip will be one of the most impressive champions ever.

I mean sometimes you get the hard draw or path.

On our one deep run. We had to play Michigan which was like the best scoring defense. Then Gonzaga who was one of the best offensive teams. Then we got Michigan St in the Final 4. Then Virginia in the title game.
 
Duke wasn't allowed to play defense last night, had 7-8 guys in foul trouble with 8 minutes left. If they call the game like last night we're in trouble, if Alabama goes nuclear from 3 then it won't matter anyway because no one is beating that.
I wish you’d get more involved here again. I was just talking to Lurker yesterday about posters that I wish would become more involved again, you being one of them, as well as @TheDude1
 
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I mean Florida's path could (emphasis on could) be Texas Tech, Auburn, and Duke
Houston: Tennessee, Duke, and Fl/Aub
Auburn: Michigan St, Fl, Duke

Is there really an easy path? Every path is spicy as hell and I Fkn love it. I might actually watch it thoroughly until the end even if Fl loses (which I can never usually do bc of the heartbreak lmao)
 
I mean Florida's path could (emphasis on could) be Texas Tech, Auburn, and Duke
Houston: Tennessee, Duke, and Fl/Aub
Auburn: Michigan St, Fl, Duke

Is there really an easy path? Every path is spicy as hell and I Fkn love it. I might actually watch it thoroughly until the end even if Fl loses (which I can never usually do bc of the heartbreak lmao)
There is no easy path. But I cant watch if Duke loses. Can't take it
 
Duke wasn't allowed to play defense last night, had 7-8 guys in foul trouble with 8 minutes left. If they call the game like last night we're in trouble, if Alabama goes nuclear from 3 then it won't matter anyway because no one is beating that.
You simply have to deny them the 3 line and then go hard on the defensive rebounding. I think Duke has personnel to do it.

3pt defense is a statistic that is NOT being talked about enough. You HAVE to run them off the 3 pt line.
 
BYU made no attempt at defensive adjustments. Once a team has made 10, 15, 20 3-pointers, you might want to consider not going under ball screens. Bama had wide open 3-pointers all day.

Duke switches most everything... and we're not going to go under ball screens all day. And we're longer and more athletic. Now don't get me wrong, the #1 tempo and the #4 offense is still a freakishly deadly combo. Alabama is going to get their points. And even if they fall behind by double digits, they can easily make that up in 2-3 minutes. I suspect this game will be in the 80's.

And to the point made by bignish, yes, Duke's path actually is very challenging. One thing I'd say, though, is I found last night's game to be encouraging, even though it may have been closer than we would have liked. Caleb Love played arguably the best game of his career... and they still lost by 7 points.
Yeah lmao. BYU gives up over 35% from 3. That's crazy. There were only 3 teams that gave up a worse percentage in the tournament.
 
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You simply have to deny them the 3 line and then go hard on the defensive rebounding. I think Duke has personnel to do it.

3pt defense is a statistic that is NOT being talked about enough. You HAVE to run them off the 3 pt line.
I hope you guys try to run us off the 3pt line.
 
Due to every 1 and 2 seed remaining outside SJU, any team that is going to win the title has to run a gauntlet.

Michigan State might have to beat Auburn, Florida and Duke to win it. Lol
 
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BYU made no attempt at defensive adjustments. Once a team has made 10, 15, 20 3-pointers, you might want to consider not going under ball screens. Bama had wide open 3-pointers all day.

Duke switches most everything... and we're not going to go under ball screens all day. And we're longer and more athletic. Now don't get me wrong, the #1 tempo and the #4 offense is still a freakishly deadly combo. Alabama is going to get their points. And even if they fall behind by double digits, they can easily make that up in 2-3 minutes. I suspect this game will be in the 80's.

And to the point made by bignish, yes, Duke's path actually is very challenging. One thing I'd say, though, is I found last night's game to be encouraging, even though it may have been closer than we would have liked. Caleb Love played arguably the best game of his career... and they still lost by 7 points.
I just hope it's a good game and we get good refs. This game should be fun to watch regardless.
Roll Tide!
 
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a bunch of these games have been great to watch, and the best is yet to come.
There may be some separation imo Duke and Florida still seem like they are a little better, but not good enough to coast through these games.
 
My memory is shit, who was the team that beat 3 #1 seeds? Arizona?

*found it. they kept Uk from 3 eating.

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I was all over that 97 Zona team. Was in Vegas and was betting them on the money line in all those games. Knew they were winning all those games. Ironically, their toughest game might;ve been first round vs South Alabama. i remember that one being way too close.
 
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