College Hoops, January 24-30

[Canadian Bacon]

Originally Posted by Duran

Awesome win for the Terps! That said, that was one of the worst officiated games I've ever seen. Approaching 2001 Final Four bad.

and Dook still lost??!!

[MrX]

[RoyalTea]

who will be the last unbeaten?

BC's next two games: vs. Georgetown, vs. West Virginia

Illinois's next two: vs. Minnesota, @ Michigan State

[Tommy_Harn]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

As the song goes, "What have you done for me [Carolina] lately?"

Must I remind you what happened in Chapel Hill on January 8th?

Yes, the actual games in the dook/Md series have been more entertaining than the UNC/dook contests over the past few years. As a point of reference, Syracuse/Georgetown had some great years in the 80's/Early 90's. Can you say the same since then?

Five years does not make or break the greatest rivalry in college basketball.

[Red Dog]

The only people it is the greatest rivalry to is alumni who graduated the 2 schools prior to 6 years ago. Ask the players and students of Duke over the last 6 years who their biggest rival IS. Just like nobody gets under the skin of Maryland and its fans like Duke does, nobody gets under the skin of Duke fans and players like Maryland. That's what matters most.

Your Cuse/Gtown point is excellent. That is not the greatest rivalry in the Big East. It was, just like Duke/Carolina was, but ain't anymore.

Great pics.

[B.A.]

Duke/Carolina began to lose it's luster w/ the retirement of the Dean and the ensuing coaching changes in Chapel Hill. That and the rest of the country finally began to take notice of Gary Williams (who became the other great coach in the ACC w/ Dean's retirement) and his program.

[Tommy_Harn]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

The only people it is the greatest rivalry to is alumni who graduated the 2 schools prior to 6 years ago. Ask the players and students of Duke over the last 6 years who their biggest rival IS.

After spending some time down there (Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh) recently, I strongly disagree. I'd bet most dook fans in the Triangle area would still call UNC their main rival. And if they didn't, I would assume that they're simply lying just to get a rise out of Tar Heel fans.

[B.A.]

It's spelled D-U-K-E.

I'd rather see those pictures now than in the Final Four (again).

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Tommy_Harn

After spending some time down there (Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh) recently, I strongly disagree. I'd bet most dook fans in the Triangle area would still call UNC their main rival. And if they didn't, I would assume that they're simply lying just to get a rise out of Tar Heel fans.

You're right and that is exactly what I said (fans and alumni 6+ years out of Duke think UNC is the biggest rival). Old habits die hard. Players and students over the last 6 years - their biggest rival? Maryland.

I agree with B.A. - plus there is the fact that K and Gary are the 2 longest tenured coaches in the ACC, by far.

[Duran]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

You're right and that is exactly what I said (fans and alumni 6+ years out of Duke think UNC is the biggest rival). Old habits die hard. Players and students over the last 6 years - their biggest rival? Maryland.

I agree with B.A. - plus there is the fact that K and Gary are the 2 longest tenured coaches in the ACC, by far.

And the next longest, Herb Sendek, is on borrowed time. MD/Duke is the best ACC rivalry right now. That quite possibly will shift back to UNC if Roy can right the ship.

[taa455]

True rivalries are rivalries no matter what the records are and no matter what the recent history is. I'm not going to get into the pointless argument of "which is the #1 rivalry?" It doesn't matter. I just like watching exciting and competitive games between strong teams. Maryland and Duke have had some classic games over the past few years, no denyng it. But I also cannot deny the almost century-long history between Carolina and Duke. The schools are, what, 14 miles apart. They have been at each other's throats for as long as I can remember and a long time before that. In my opinion, Carolina/Duke is THE #1 rivalry in all sports. A few years of recent history isn't going to change that. But, again, it doesn't matter. I still enjoy UMD/Duke games and think there is a great rivalry there as well.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by taa455

True rivalries are rivalries no matter what the records are and no matter what the recent history is.

That's true, and why, for example, Cowboys/Redskins is a great rivalry (even though the teams suck and the rivalry has been one-sided the last decade). Not the best today however, and this comes from a Skins fan.

[Trelach24]

BTW, for all the moronic praise the "Cameron Crazies" get, they sure are a stupid bunch.

Check out the new story on http://www.truthaboutduke.com how they got tricked into starting a chant last night which in reality was the name of the AAU coach who paid former Dukie Corey Maggette.

[B.A.]

Originally Posted by Trelach24

BTW, for all the moronic praise the "Cameron Crazies" get, they sure are a stupid bunch.

I thought all face-painters were stupid, regardless of what school/team they were affiliated with.

[cleaver]

Originally Posted by Duran

CLASSIC!

[MrX]

GT knocks off Wake in OT 102-101

Zona beat Washington 91-82

[brizz]

Hail to the victors
Mighty hail to the victors

oh....wait...sorry....wrong fight song

GO STATE!! Bring it on Illini!!

[WallyOPD]

Great game last night in Tucson. Arizona went with a 1-3-1 zone to limit penetration but it ended up giving Washington too many open looks from the perimeter in the first half and they ran up a bit of a lead. They got out to the shooters a little more quickly in the second half and I think some of the Washington players got a little tired and their shots stopped falling. Salim forced a couple of his shots and wasn't as dominant as he's been for most of the past month, but still put up 25. Very entertaining game and I can't wait for the rematch up in Seattle in February. I just hope Arizona doesn't suffer a letdown against Washington St and their slow-down game on Saturday.

[wildcatlh]

Originally Posted by Trelach24

BTW, for all the moronic praise the "Cameron Crazies" get, they sure are a stupid bunch.

Check out the new story on http://www.truthaboutduke.com how they got tricked into starting a chant last night which in reality was the name of the AAU coach who paid former Dukie Corey Maggette.

Never knew about that website. Needless to say, it's now one of my favorites and it got an immediate bookmark.

[Tommy_Harn]

I'm starting to wonder about the ACC. Georgia Tech beats Wake after losing to Va. Tech last weekend? What's that all about?

Va. Tech is competitive in the ACC after being a perrenial doormat in the Big East. Not that I'm expecting them to finish in the top half by the end of the season, but it makes you think. I'm starting to wonder if the Big East really is under-rated, and in turn maybe the ACC isn't quite as good as we thought.

[Red Dog]

That is a big win for GT, even if it comes at home. The ACC is really starting to cannibalize itself.

First big road test in the Patriot League for Bucknell tonight. They visit American. I was originally going to go, but I won't be able to. I might catch them at Navy on Sunday.

[RoyalTea]

Originally Posted by Tommy_Harn

I'm starting to wonder about the ACC. Georgia Tech beats Wake after losing to Va. Tech last weekend? What's that all about?

Va. Tech is competitive in the ACC after being a perrenial doormat in the Big East. Not that I'm expecting them to finish in the top half by the end of the season, but it makes you think. I'm starting to wonder if the Big East really is under-rated, and in turn maybe the ACC isn't quite as good as we thought.

I've always wondered why the ACC is always given the label of the toughest conference in america. And when there's a lot of upsets in conference play, people always say that it's just a sign of conference strength, that any team can beat any other team.

But if there's lots of upsets in the Big East, people assume the opposite, that it's a sign of conference weakness, and any team can LOSE to any other team.

I can't wait to see BC come into the league next year and run away with it, assuming Craig Smith returns for his senior year.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by RoyalTea

I can't wait to see BC come into the league next year and run away with it, assuming Craig Smith returns for his senior year.

I for one have had a tremendous amount of respect for the Big East recently. Particularly 2 years ago, when it was obvious to everyone that the ACC was weaker comparatively. Regardless, everyone should be aware that the best college basketball is America is played in these 2 conferences, home of the last 4 champs.

[RoyalTea]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

I for one have had a tremendous amount of respect for the Big East recently. Particularly 2 years ago, when it was obvious to everyone that the ACC was weaker comparatively. Regardless, everyone should be aware that the best college basketball is America is played in these 2 conferences, home of the last 4 champs.

laugh now, but we'll see what happens next year.

Miami and Virginia Tech were two of the crappiest teams in the Big East over the past couple of seasons, now they're middle of the pack in the ACC. What will happen when a good team joins the league? Maybe they won't run away with the league, but I'd be surprised if they weren't a top three seed in the 2006 ACC tournament. (again, if Craig Smith decides to go pro, things could change).

[Tommy_Harn]

Originally Posted by RoyalTea

laugh now, but we'll see what happens next year.

Why bother? If Craig Smith doesn't enter the draft this spring, they'll probably just hand the title over to B.C. Regardless of whether Eric Williams, Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, Jarrett Jack, Rashad McCants, Marvin Williams, John Gilcrist or Sheldon Williams decide to go pro.