Coach K turns it up a notch because he usually has fourteen McDonalds Alll Americans out of a thirteen man roster. He didn't turn it up much his first few years when he didn't have all that talent. I think Johnny Dawkins was a Junior or Senior before Duke played .500 ball in the ACC. K is a good coach but he always has talent. That talent comes from HS with a great knowledge of the game and most are easy to coach. There are no Shawnson Johnsons or Gipsons on Duke's roster. He always has a roster of Brandon Bass/Chris Duhon type players.
This one of of the few years that Duke doesn't have HS AAs sitting on the bench ... they have a short bench. Their starters are Duke quality, but many believe they are wearing out late in the season. Coach K is a great coach and will get this team deep into the tourney, but I don't think this team is Final Four material.
Uh, I hate to differ but while the ACC is a tough conference and traditionally the top conference, they are not better, either in top quality or depth than the big east this year. Syracuse, Uconn, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Villanova, West Virgina all have legitimate shots at the tourney depending on how they do in their conference tourney. Wake, UNC, Duke, Maryland, Miami, Va Tech, Ga Tech. . . Va Tech won't get in barring a title run in the ACC. Ga Tech will get in but on last years merits. UNC couldn't even get the ball upcourt vs. Duke with 18 seconds left. The ACC is like Kentucky, a shell of their former selves this year. . . IMO of course. . .
On another subject... living in Atlanta I've have follwed GA Tech fairly close the last few years and have to say they have been the most disappointing team I have seen in a while. I know losing Elder hurt but with the depth they had in the back court I am very surprised with how this team has played and not being able to win any games on the road.
I totally agree, the Big East is easily the best conference this year. Puke is an abberation, they are very overrated this year. UNC IMO is the only legit national title contender. While there are several legit national title contenders in the big east. VT may still be a bubble team, but just b/c they are the 4th best team in the ACC this year does not mean they'll get in. Definetely in years past ACC was the best basketball conference, but I think this year it is easily the Big East. Hopefully the Tigers can keep up the good work and get in though. I mean, if Tac can play non spastic, their frontcourt can give lots of teams trouble in the tourney.
Man how good is Illinois huh? Hard to find a weakness, they are clearly the best team. UNC is very good also, but illinois is just awesome. Their road the final 4 is like all home games, with all the sites being within 3 hours DRIVING time from Champagne...
If they stay the #1 team they'll be placed in the Chicago region (according to ESPN). First round Indianapolis, 2nd round Chicago, Final 4 in St. Louis.
Do me a favor and copy that bracket right away. Then when the teams are announced and regions look and see how different it is. Just like the BCS, changes every week.
