Clemson ventured into Durham...on Sunday evening with an interesting resume to start their season. A resume that included a high profile loss to chapel hill college followed by a head scratching loss to Charlotte. Which Clemson would come into Cameron? The one that could play a #1 team to the buzzer or the Tiggers who wilt to A-10 competition on the regular?
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In the end...the Blue Devils win, 93-80...although, I gotta say, if you're a stats freak, it is a weird one. Duke was out-rebounded by the Tigers and Clemson also shot 53%...yet still couldn't beat Duke. For the first bit of this game, I sat biting my nails as I watched the Tigers score, what seemed to me, again and again...on easy lay-ups. They dominated the inside while Duke dominated the outside. So, I did what almost anyone else would do...I got totally wasted with my fiance and kept watching...and things got better. Because I was drunk or because cryolina had just lost to f'ing Maryland, I don't know. But, better they did get.
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Considering our lack of any big men...this game had me nervous long before it was actually played. Yet, somehow, my boys in the Royal Blue seemingly turned what should have been a mismatch for them into a mismatch for Clemson. By the way, for all you arses out there screaming about points from the free throw line...STFU, kthanx? When you play defense like Duke does, it should be pretty obvious that your team is going to go to the line more. On top of that, even though the Tigers have me almost convinced that this year they might actually be a real team (instead of the usual, "play crap teams, go undefeated into ACC play and then immediately have it shown that you are still the same ol' Klempsum," thing) this year. After all, they were within one point of beating the (NOT) So Greatest Team, EVER.
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Yes, points from the line had a sh*tload to do with it...but, there is still one thing that links the old Klempsum to the better Clemson...they still can't shoot free throws worth a damn. One would think with all the true improvement in every other area, this would not be the case, but, sadly, it still is. Which is a shame because I've never really hated (or really liked) Clemson...but on occasion I will go totally ACC on your arse and the Tigers are one of those teams that it might be okay to see help prove the ACC's dominance in college hoops. Then again, that is probably just lil' ol' Blue, here.
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At any rate...is it just me or is the 55-54 mark seem to be a new good luck charm for Duke? Two times in two weeks this is the score that brings Duke back from the dead. I like it. Way better than that 17 point lead thing that gets certain people (looking at you, Matt) freaked out around here...says the chica who just stays in permanent freak out mode until the game is over.
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In the end...Duke just turned the, "lack of a real big man," thing on Clemson. We had solid game from the usual suspects...Scheyer, Paulus, Henderson, Nelson and Smith. Clearly, our captain was back--Nelson was great and it is extremely satisfying to see what an uninjured Nelson can do! Now, before anyone jumps my lil' 90 pound arse about Smith, he has been a more than solid player and the moves you saw this game could not possibly be the first...I recall a game where Smith's family was at Cameron and some of the absolutely awesome moves he pulled were...well, um, absolutely awesome.
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Nelson lead...with 24 points (followed by double d's from Smith and Scheyer...Smith only getting the best of my boy by one point--insert mandatory Blue ::HEARTS:: Jon Scheyer, forEVER right here) and also in steals. Henderson lead in rebounds and blocks and...wait..what is this? Jon Scheyer led in assists. {Inset mandatory Blue ::HEARTS:: Jon Scheyer, forEVER, here, again, just for the hell of it}.
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I know his praises are sung enough...but personally I think this game came down to coaching...no offense to Purnell. But, how many times do you want to hear about Krzyzewski being the best coach, EVER and so on and so on? Hell, even I get sick of typing it/reading it/hearing it myself...sometimes...rarely, but, sometimes.
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Anyhoo, the "real" story of the day...was Sweatyland beating the tarholes...which leads to what might be the best story on Monday--the polls. Specifically, Duke being ranked three in the nation over the mighty tools, who came in at four in the ESPN poll. Personally, I don't like it. I'd have preferred getting through the VT Thugs and then the Maryland Snapping Turtles before something like that, but most likely it is just me. But, what's done is done, as they say, so now our Royal Blue Avengers have to prove they belong at that spot. Also, I'd appreciate folks who would stop acting like VT is nothing and trying to skip right ahead to the "Sweat."
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This is the ACC...never count a team out or take anything for granted. Anything can happen any given night...I promise you that. We all need to just chill, go with the flow and see what happens before we get too excited and started jumping WAAAY ahead of ourselves. Because, like I always say...only time will tell.
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Blue Devilyn is a regular NBX contributor and aspiring Amish nun. Check out the archives for some of her other puritanical rants and raves.
The Jazz great at home. Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games. Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games. Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home. Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home. San Antonio is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games. San Antonio is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road. San Antonio is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road. The Jazz will outplay the Spurs in Utah!!!!
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