Duke: I can’t figure it out!

In the past, I have questioned the Duke basketball program heavily.  I love Duke, but as I stated in the post Duke Basketball:  When Will it Change?, some major changes have to take place as far as recruiting goes.  However, with the emergence of Gerald Henderson, this year’s team has a legitimate shot to make it to the Final Four.

Maybe we don’t need big men after all.  Maybe we just need for a guy with some athleticism to get some determination and grit about him!  When Gerald Henderson makes up his mind to go the basket, he’s going to either score or get fouled.  To be honest, he has made Duke basketball fun to watch again.  For the first time in 8 years, I actually believe that we have a player that WANTS to take the last shot AND HAS THE ABILITY TO HIT IT.  That is a comforting thing to know!

The move that Coach K is getting praised for is inserting Elliot Williams into the starting lineup, which moved Jon Scheyer (my favorite Duke player) to the point.  In my opinion, this was a necessity, and Coach K should have done it sooner.  How can a kid with Elliot’s athleticism sit on the bench the first two-thirds of the season?!?!?!  When asked why the move wasn’t made sooner, Coach K says that it “wouldn’t have worked.”  I’m gonna call your bull on that one, Coach.  Are you telling me that Elliot Williams wouldn’t have helped us as we got blown away by Clemson?  Come on!  I’m glad the move was made.  Nolan Smith is now back and playing extremely well off the bench.  I just wish the move would have been made sooner.

Tonight, Duke takes on a talented Villanova team in the Sweet Sixteen.  I am looking forward to this battle!  ESPN is billing it as the game to watch for this round.  Neither team has a dominant big man.  Both teams shoot an insane amount of three pointers.  It could be a great game if both teams are hitting their shots, or it could turn into an ugly game if the shots aren’t falling.

I’m going to predict a Duke win….by the slimmest of margins.  They will then get a chance to avenge last year’s loss to Pittsburgh for a chance to go to the Final Four in Detroit.  I think Scheyer and Singler are the two keys for tonight’s game.  Henderson is going to get his points, but he’s got to have another scorer or two at the 20 point mark.

On a side note, I cannot WAIT to see Oklahoma play UNC in the Elite 8!  That may very well be the game of the tournament.  Go Sooners!