It's been a while since I've done a sports related blog, so if you don't like sports or don't care about college basketball, I'll be back to my normal blog posting soon enough.
I never write on this topic immediately after the game as the emotion, win or lose, is too raw and I find it impossible to even try to be objective in those moments after the buzzer sounds.
Last night was everything that is right about college basketball. The greatest rivalry arguably in all of sports was on display for 2 1/2 hours and as it usually does, it lived up to the hype. Both teams overcame double digit deficits to force overtime and the game came down to the last possession with the Dukies going home happy and the Heels taking the longest 8 mile drive of the season back to Chapel Hill. Here's my observations while attempting to put my bias aside. Feel free to challenge or agree in comments as the discussion is what really makes this fun.
1. Tyus Jones is a player that every Carolina fan will hate for years to come. One of the youngest players on the floor, in the biggest game of the year, was probably the most poised man on the floor last night. What he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for in heart. He simply refused to let Duke lose last night. Okafur had all the hype, Jones delivered a much more poignant performance. This takes us to....
2. Jahlil Okafur is a phenomenal talent, no question. He can be contained if you take the game to him. You have to initiate the contact with him. If he is allowed to make first contact, he will eat you for lunch. However, he didn't respond well when Carolina got physical with him. This Carolina fan is still hoping that he's one and done.
3. Marcus Paige is a shell of what Carolina fans saw last year. I don't know if it's the plantars fasciitis or if teams have simply figured him out, but whether or not he's scoring, he must impact the game for Carolina to be successful.
4. JP Tokoto will drive Carolina fans nuts with some of his decision making, but I would rather him make a few boneheaded decisions and be aggressive like last night, than watch him disappear to timidity.
5. If Brice Johnson can eliminate one stupid foul per game, he could be absolutely dominant. Unfortunately he loses about 3-4 minutes of floor time every night due to foul trouble.
6. People will be quick to criticize both team's defense given the final was 92-90 and I'll admit, both teams have defensive flaws. Duke can't defend the paint and Carolina can't defend the 3-point line. That said, let's also be honest and say that when clicking as both teams were, these are 2 of the best offensive squads in the country. When a team or a player (Quinn Cook) get hot from 3, Carolina is in trouble. Likewise when a team owns the paint (Meeks and Johnson), Duke can be beaten.
7. Both of these teams can play with and beat anybody in the country, but I don't think either of these teams make a title run this year. Duke isn't deep enough and I expect them to wear down in the tournament as they have done in year's past. I mean, let's face it...the 18 game ACC schedule is absolutely grueling and it will take it's toll on the best of teams. Carolina struggles to close teams out and that will ultimately spell their demise in March.
8. Who wins round 2?? Duke will be favored, but I think Carolina will be motivated to exact a bit of payback on March 7. Either way, we should have another classic on our hands.
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