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Duke Can't Lose the NCAA Tournament

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  • joetemple
    2019-03-19 09:22:53 AM
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    Supposedly 3 of the top 5 NBA draft picks for 2019 will be coming from Duke. They are ranked #1 overall in the tournament seedings, and when Zion and their team was fully healthy, they only lost one or two games all year. Even with Zion sidelined for a few games, they still went 29-5 and won their conf champ.

    So, gotta say, they HAVE to win this tournament. Otherwise their season is a failure.

    It won't effect any of the draft I don't think. But think about it, if at least 3 of their starters get drafted, this will not be the same team by any stretch next year. AND if you have 3 of the best players in all of college ball (arguably) how does anyone compete against that??

    Mike Krzyzewski did a wonderful job accruing this talent and making it all work. He stacked the deck. Now he has to deliver. It's really win it all or bust to me. Think there's any chance that's not true of this team?

    All that said... I don't think they will. Hard as that seems to imagine with all that talent, it's still a coaching and team effort, and its called March Madness for a reason.

    Made the prediction earlier, but I'll say again, I think they fall in the Elite 8 to Michigan State. Seems like a trendy pick, but I agree with the logic. Kinda hope I get proven wrong though.
  • joetemple
    2019-03-19 09:23:28 AM
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    Worth a watch.
  • JFoster
    2019-03-21 02:40:03 PM
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    joetemple Wrote:

    It won't effect any of the draft I don't think. But think about it, if at least 3 of their starters get drafted, this will not be the same team by any stretch next year. AND if you have 3 of the best players in all of college ball (arguably) how does anyone compete against that??

    So it's a win/lose scenario. It must be hard for any major college team to lose their best players to the big leagues. I can see where they would be both excited to have them, but would be worried when and if they lost them to the draft. I'm sure they are used to that sort of thing, but still, if you have a winning team...
  • Dallasite
    2019-03-22 11:51:51 PM
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    Duke vs North Dakota State (Round of 64)

    Was a little worried at half for Duke, but they turned it on and pretty much destroyed ND State. Was expected but was still impressive. This upcoming UCF game in the second round should be a much better test.

    After that, maybe and probably Virginia Tech.

    I think if they get into the Elite 8 it'll be OK for them, legacy wise. Though I would feel it a failure if you didn't at least get to the Final Four.
  • JFoster
    2019-03-24 08:03:21 PM
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    They beat UCF by the skin of their teeth with just seconds to go and being tied. It was a really exciting last minute of the game.

  • joetemple
    2019-03-30 04:25:33 PM
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    They scrapped by UCF and Virginia Tech. And ND State had their number for the first half even. I don't know.. I'm feeling pretty good about my prediction. That Michigan State/Duke game is going to be GOOD. Duke might lose by 10-20 points but I hope its close. I think the Spartans will win but I am rooting for Duke a little now, they are really fun to watch.
  • Dallasite
    2019-04-01 07:38:28 PM
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    Sucks. I was getting excited to see Duke v Texas Tech in the Final Four. Oh well. Michigan State proved to be the better team. Zion was the top scorer in their loss for the game so I don't think this effects his draft capital. Or really any of the others on the team either.

    They lost by a 1 point to what looks to be the best team in the tournament. No shame there. Though it does feel like a let down.
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