Prediction Record: 91-50
Boston College at Maryland (8:00, FSN)- This is the first game of the ACC season for both of these teams, and it could be a classic. Boston College won the first six games of their season, until losing to Michigan State in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Their best win of the season was against Oklahoma State in Las Vegas. None of their other wins were overly impressive. They are averaging 79 points per game, while allowing about 67 per game. Those are typical BC numbers, as they seem to always let teams hang around and then the Eagles pull it out in the end. They are led by one of the best frontcourt duos in the country, Craig Smith and Jared Dudley. Dudley is one of the most underrated players in the country, mostly as a result of him being overshadowed by Smith. He is a solid inside-outside forward who is also an excellent rebounder and defender. Smith has not been his usual dominant self so far this season, even with his 15 points and 8 rebounds per game numbers. He is a beast inside who is very difficult to stop once he gets the ball. John Oates has earned a few starts at the center position, and provides decent scoring and rebounding. On the perimeter, the wing combo of Sean Marshall and Tyrese Rice are the main scorers. Marshall has become a consistent point producer this season, putting up almost 15 a game. Rice is one of the best freshman in the country, giving the Eagles a scoring guard that can shoot and drive to the basket. Louis Hinnant is a big point guard at 6-4. He is an excellent distributor, but not much of a scorer. Marquez Haynes provides depth in the backcourt. On the other hand, Maryland has been challenged in their non-league portion than the Eagles have been. They have had losses to Top 15 teams Gonzaga and George Washington, both away from home. The Terps also have decent wins over Minnesota and Arkansas, though. The high-scoring group puts up almost 85 points per game, gives up just over 70 per game. Maryland is an athletic team that likes to put pressure on the other team defensively, and gets up and down the floor quickly. In the backcourt, DJ Strawberry, Chris McCray, and Mike Jones are one of the better trios that you will find. The 6-5 Strawberry is a very good defender, and combined with the 6-5 McCray, give the Terps one of the best defensive backcourts in the country. Strawberry is 5-7 on three-pointers this season, and is a good scorer in transition, while also distributing well. He is one of five double-figure scorers on the team. McCray is the leading scorer for Maryland. He is a good passer and defender as well. Jones is automatic offense off the bench. He averages 9 points in 20 minutes per game, and shoots 52 percent from deep. Up front, the quartet of Nik Caner-Medley, James Gist, Travis Garrison, and Ekene Ibekwe is very good. They are basically four starters, as Gist, Garrison, and Ibekwe all average about 20 minutes per game. Caner-Medley is a versatile scorer, but is inconsistent. Gist is extremely athletic who has slowed down somewhat since beginning the season with four straight double-figure games. Garrison is the best rebounder on the team, and can also score well. He had 23 and 14 against Western Carolina last game, giving him three straight double-figure rebounding games. Ibekwe is a good shot blocker and a good leaper who has not become a very good rebounder yet. Both teams are going to be contenders in the ACC this season, both also likely finishing in the Top 3 behind Duke. The difference in this game is going to be Maryland's balance and athleticism. Seven guys average at least 9 points and 20 minutes per game for the Terps. Even if Craig Smith has a huge game down low, as he should, Maryland's pressure is going to create a lot of turnovers by Louis Hinnant, leading to easy baskets for the athletic Terrapins. Mike Jones off the bench could be the difference. Plus, Maryland is at home. Prediction: Maryland by 3
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Texas-Duke Game Log
4 minutes-End of Game
- Final score: 97-66
- Duke looked phenomenal throughout the game...down to the last second..
- Will Duke get 100? Doesn't look like it, after Boykin missed a layup..
- Boykin gets another two points, assist from Paulus
- Texas still playing hard, which is nice to see...walk-on senior Perkins comes in the game
- Duke up by 31 with 1:40 left...Duke has hit 21 FTs...
- Duke bringing in the freshmen crew...Eric Boateng, Jamal Boykin, Pocius, Paulus (very impressive today)
- Redick comes out...excellent game for him: 41 points, 13-24 from the field, 9-16 from three
- Pocius gets a layup..solid scorer, should get more minutes
8-4 minutes..
- Duke up 89-62 with 2:42 left..final TV timeout
- Pocius hits a three..thought he was going to play more this season due to his shooting..
- Tucker gets a block, Texas still has their big 3 of Aldridge (who just got a basket), Tucker, and Gibson in the game, as Duke has four of their top 6 in the game still..I want to see the bench guys get minutes
- Redick gets a steal..doing it all for the Blue Devils
- Everyone on Duke playing well today...Melchionni hit a three, Dockery playing good defense, Paulus penetrating and dishing, McRoberts dominating the glass and getting a few dunks...
- Duke up 84-58 with just over four minutes left..
- Shelden Williams has been overshadowed by Redick, but he seems like he is going to have a 20-10 performance..
- Tucker gets a layup..Texas has the ability to hang with Duke if they did this the whole game
- Gibson isos himself, penetrates, and gets a layup..should have done that the entire game
- Redick has 41..can score whenever he wants
- Texas is not looking like the #2 team in the country, but Buckman is not in the game, which makes a difference
- Duke shooting 11/20 from three, Texas 3-10
- Once Redick comes back in, Duke ran off another string of points...
- Redick hits a three, 39 points, nine threes...he and Tucker getting into it a little bit
- Duke went on a 22-4 run to break the game open
12-8 minutes..
- Duke up 71-52 with under eight minutes left..
- Paulino had a chance to cut the lead to 17, missed the front end of a one and one
- Redick comes out..hasn't scored in awhile
- Texas on a 6-0 run after Gibson hits a three...Texas making a little charge at a decent score
- Just realized that Duke is dominating this game while Texas does not have Buckman, I think he would have made a big difference guarding Shelden..although JJ Redick would still be dominating
- Texas getting some baskets, trying to make this a respectable score...it's not really working though
- Aldridge makes a nice defensive play and then beats Shelden down the court and will go to the line
- Texas has 13 turnovers, 4 for Duke
- Duke up 71-46
- Redick even takes a charge...he is on top of his game today
- They are stepping up their defense as well..Krzyzewski had these guys ready for Texas
- Paulus drives and dishes to Williams for the easy two..Duke is looking better than they have all season (obviously)
16-12 minutes..
- Duke is really turning the game into a blowout and a "Will JJ get 50?" show
- Texas is very out of sync offensively, and can't guard or rebound on the defensive end
- Redick missed another one, but Paulus got the rebound (how does Paulus grab a rebound over Aldridge and co.?)
- Redick misses a three..but McRoberts comes up with a big rebound..Texas can't defend Duke whatsoever
- Redick hits a step back three..Texas can't guard him..36 points with 12:30 left..
- JJ has 33 points, 7 of 11 from three...16-0 run for Duke
- Redick comes off a curl, and hits ANOTHER three..he is showing the nation that he is the best player in the country (although I still think Morrison is)
- Texas has not gotten a clean shot since Duke began their run..
- No team is going to lose with those statistics
- Duke is shooting 62 percent from the field...Duke with 21 points off turnovers
- 63-44, Duke...so much for that run by Texas
- Another turnover by Texas, Paulus hits a lay-up
- Redick banks in a turnaround, Duke up 17
- Texas falling apart offensively, trying to force things
- Duke on a 9-0 run after Williams hits a little jump hook
First four minutes of the second half...
- Redick hits a long three...Texas' run is forgotten..57-44, Duke
- Gibson gets fouled 2-3 times on the play, no call...key play...Duke up 10 with the ball
- Dockery gets a steal and layup..Duke getting momentum back (54-44, Duke)
- He hits both FTs (52-44, Duke)
- Shelden is taking advantage of the fact that Texas is not doubling him every time he touches it..
- Redick is forcing some shots
- Follow up dunk by Aldridge..Texas starting to get into the lane more..
- Redick gets the roll on another three
- Texas getting some momentum..7-0 run..timeout Duke
- Tucker hits both..(47-42, Duke)
- Texas playing better...Gibson penetrating more, Longhorns' defense has also improved this half
- Duke turnover, Tucker will head to the line
- Gibson penetrates, kicks out to Paulino for a three
- Gibson makes another shot..starting to assert himself
- Shelden dunks it down low..dominating Mike Williams (47-35, Duke)
- Gibson takes first two shots of half...(45-35, Duke)
- Buckman not starting the second half..calf injury, 50/50 on a return
- Duke: 6/12 from 3; Texas 1/3
- Texas needs to: Gibson needs to become more of a scorer; Tucker needs to take it down low more; they need to get someone out on Redick; and they need to dominate the glass like they should be doing already.
4 minutes-Halftime...
- 45-33, Duke at the half...looking like the #1 team in the country...Texas not overly impressive
- Tucker iso-ing himself as the clock winds down..misses the shot at the buzzer
- McRoberts very impressive today, on both ends (45-33, Duke)
- Texas needs to get it to about six by halftime to feel good about themselves
- Paulino gets another basket driving to the hoop..11 points for him (43-33, Duke)
- Aldridge, Tucker, and Paulino only impressive performers for Texas
- Duke getting all the loose balls and long rebunds
- 7 turnovers for Texas..Redick hits a jumper
- Texas turning the ball over too much, Duke taking advantage
- Buckman has leg cramps, but they wrapped up his knee...I'll keep you posted
- Texas really trying to get their points in the paint, not shooting any threes
- Redick has 20 points with 3:33 left in the half (41-31, Duke)
- Texas had a chance to grab the board and lost the ball..key play..
- Redick has been quiet for the past two-three minutes..then gets fouled, shooting two...
8-4 minutes...
- Texas needs to assert themselves in the paint..haven't tried any perimeter shots
- Mike Williams makes a nice defense play, then hits a jumper for Texas (39-31, Duke)
- Texas needs a basket...they get it..Tucker too strong, dish to Aldridge
- Buckman hurt his knee..not sure what happened
- Duke trying to run away with it..timeout Texas (39-27, Duke)
- Penetration and dish to McRoberts for the dunk, then he steals it and slams it home again
- Tucker gets a putback, still aren't creating shots for easy baskets (35-25, Duke)
- Shelden hits a free throw line jumper, Texas is playing awful defense
- Redick is dominating on the offensive end, and Texas isn't hitting their shots (33-23, Duke)
- Texas turning the ball over, not looking efficient
- Texas needs some perimeter scoring
12-8 minutes...
- Duke getting some momentum, Texas has to withstand the run
- Duke freshmen making an impact (31-23, Duke)
- Paulus gets a lay up, McRoberts intercepts the pass, Paulus makes the dish to Shelden for the dunk
- Gibson drives the lane, and dishes to Aldridge for the dunk (27-23, Duke)
- Buckman needs to assert himself against McRoberts
- Redick hits a step back three..Texas needs to get on him (27-19, Duke)
- And he does. Tucker overpowers him in the lane. (24-19, Duke)
- Tucker has Pocius on him..he has to take advantage of that..
- Duke 5 of 7 from beyond the arc today
- Melchionni hits a three, they need him to be consistent with his shot today (24-17, Duke)
- Texas looking they are trying to take control...and then they turn it over--again (21-17, Duke)
- Gibson blocks Shelden from behind, then comes back down and charges into a defender
- Paulino gets another basket...surprising scorer today
16-12 minutes...
- Paulino hits a three-- they need him to hit shots if they are going to win
- McRoberts doing a solid job on the glass
- Redick comes off a dribble handoff and hits a long three (15-11, Duke)
- Redick is getting hot, hitting shots, already in double figures (17-11, Duke)
- Buckman not looking very solid down low..not taking advantage of his edge over McRoberts
- Tucker easily drove the lane...too strong for anyone on Duke (17-13, Duke)
- Williams dominating the interior..Aldridge and co. are having difficulty blocking him out
- Paulino gets a basket..if he gets ten points, Texas should win the game
- Redick hit another three..Texas is not doing a good job of defending him at all... (21-15, Duke)
First four minutes...
- Expected starting lineups
- Shelden gets first basket, overpowers Buckman (2-0, Duke)
- Gibson shows that he has a huge advantage over Duke's PGs (2-2)
- Shelden overpowers Buckman twice in the early going (4-2, Duke)
- Aldridge throws down (4-4)
- Redick missing shots early
- Not the crispest of games in the early going
- Aldridge looking very good with 4 points
- Redick finally gets going off of a screen (8-6, Duke)
- Duke getting baskets in transition
- Both teams starting to heat up (10-8, Duke)
- Redick hits two free throws (12-8, Duke)
- Final score: 97-66
- Duke looked phenomenal throughout the game...down to the last second..
- Will Duke get 100? Doesn't look like it, after Boykin missed a layup..
- Boykin gets another two points, assist from Paulus
- Texas still playing hard, which is nice to see...walk-on senior Perkins comes in the game
- Duke up by 31 with 1:40 left...Duke has hit 21 FTs...
- Duke bringing in the freshmen crew...Eric Boateng, Jamal Boykin, Pocius, Paulus (very impressive today)
- Redick comes out...excellent game for him: 41 points, 13-24 from the field, 9-16 from three
- Pocius gets a layup..solid scorer, should get more minutes
8-4 minutes..
- Duke up 89-62 with 2:42 left..final TV timeout
- Pocius hits a three..thought he was going to play more this season due to his shooting..
- Tucker gets a block, Texas still has their big 3 of Aldridge (who just got a basket), Tucker, and Gibson in the game, as Duke has four of their top 6 in the game still..I want to see the bench guys get minutes
- Redick gets a steal..doing it all for the Blue Devils
- Everyone on Duke playing well today...Melchionni hit a three, Dockery playing good defense, Paulus penetrating and dishing, McRoberts dominating the glass and getting a few dunks...
- Duke up 84-58 with just over four minutes left..
- Shelden Williams has been overshadowed by Redick, but he seems like he is going to have a 20-10 performance..
- Tucker gets a layup..Texas has the ability to hang with Duke if they did this the whole game
- Gibson isos himself, penetrates, and gets a layup..should have done that the entire game
- Redick has 41..can score whenever he wants
- Texas is not looking like the #2 team in the country, but Buckman is not in the game, which makes a difference
- Duke shooting 11/20 from three, Texas 3-10
- Once Redick comes back in, Duke ran off another string of points...
- Redick hits a three, 39 points, nine threes...he and Tucker getting into it a little bit
- Duke went on a 22-4 run to break the game open
12-8 minutes..
- Duke up 71-52 with under eight minutes left..
- Paulino had a chance to cut the lead to 17, missed the front end of a one and one
- Redick comes out..hasn't scored in awhile
- Texas on a 6-0 run after Gibson hits a three...Texas making a little charge at a decent score
- Just realized that Duke is dominating this game while Texas does not have Buckman, I think he would have made a big difference guarding Shelden..although JJ Redick would still be dominating
- Texas getting some baskets, trying to make this a respectable score...it's not really working though
- Aldridge makes a nice defensive play and then beats Shelden down the court and will go to the line
- Texas has 13 turnovers, 4 for Duke
- Duke up 71-46
- Redick even takes a charge...he is on top of his game today
- They are stepping up their defense as well..Krzyzewski had these guys ready for Texas
- Paulus drives and dishes to Williams for the easy two..Duke is looking better than they have all season (obviously)
16-12 minutes..
- Duke is really turning the game into a blowout and a "Will JJ get 50?" show
- Texas is very out of sync offensively, and can't guard or rebound on the defensive end
- Redick missed another one, but Paulus got the rebound (how does Paulus grab a rebound over Aldridge and co.?)
- Redick misses a three..but McRoberts comes up with a big rebound..Texas can't defend Duke whatsoever
- Redick hits a step back three..Texas can't guard him..36 points with 12:30 left..
- JJ has 33 points, 7 of 11 from three...16-0 run for Duke
- Redick comes off a curl, and hits ANOTHER three..he is showing the nation that he is the best player in the country (although I still think Morrison is)
- Texas has not gotten a clean shot since Duke began their run..
- No team is going to lose with those statistics
- Duke is shooting 62 percent from the field...Duke with 21 points off turnovers
- 63-44, Duke...so much for that run by Texas
- Another turnover by Texas, Paulus hits a lay-up
- Redick banks in a turnaround, Duke up 17
- Texas falling apart offensively, trying to force things
- Duke on a 9-0 run after Williams hits a little jump hook
First four minutes of the second half...
- Redick hits a long three...Texas' run is forgotten..57-44, Duke
- Gibson gets fouled 2-3 times on the play, no call...key play...Duke up 10 with the ball
- Dockery gets a steal and layup..Duke getting momentum back (54-44, Duke)
- He hits both FTs (52-44, Duke)
- Shelden is taking advantage of the fact that Texas is not doubling him every time he touches it..
- Redick is forcing some shots
- Follow up dunk by Aldridge..Texas starting to get into the lane more..
- Redick gets the roll on another three
- Texas getting some momentum..7-0 run..timeout Duke
- Tucker hits both..(47-42, Duke)
- Texas playing better...Gibson penetrating more, Longhorns' defense has also improved this half
- Duke turnover, Tucker will head to the line
- Gibson penetrates, kicks out to Paulino for a three
- Gibson makes another shot..starting to assert himself
- Shelden dunks it down low..dominating Mike Williams (47-35, Duke)
- Gibson takes first two shots of half...(45-35, Duke)
- Buckman not starting the second half..calf injury, 50/50 on a return
- Duke: 6/12 from 3; Texas 1/3
- Texas needs to: Gibson needs to become more of a scorer; Tucker needs to take it down low more; they need to get someone out on Redick; and they need to dominate the glass like they should be doing already.
4 minutes-Halftime...
- 45-33, Duke at the half...looking like the #1 team in the country...Texas not overly impressive
- Tucker iso-ing himself as the clock winds down..misses the shot at the buzzer
- McRoberts very impressive today, on both ends (45-33, Duke)
- Texas needs to get it to about six by halftime to feel good about themselves
- Paulino gets another basket driving to the hoop..11 points for him (43-33, Duke)
- Aldridge, Tucker, and Paulino only impressive performers for Texas
- Duke getting all the loose balls and long rebunds
- 7 turnovers for Texas..Redick hits a jumper
- Texas turning the ball over too much, Duke taking advantage
- Buckman has leg cramps, but they wrapped up his knee...I'll keep you posted
- Texas really trying to get their points in the paint, not shooting any threes
- Redick has 20 points with 3:33 left in the half (41-31, Duke)
- Texas had a chance to grab the board and lost the ball..key play..
- Redick has been quiet for the past two-three minutes..then gets fouled, shooting two...
8-4 minutes...
- Texas needs to assert themselves in the paint..haven't tried any perimeter shots
- Mike Williams makes a nice defense play, then hits a jumper for Texas (39-31, Duke)
- Texas needs a basket...they get it..Tucker too strong, dish to Aldridge
- Buckman hurt his knee..not sure what happened
- Duke trying to run away with it..timeout Texas (39-27, Duke)
- Penetration and dish to McRoberts for the dunk, then he steals it and slams it home again
- Tucker gets a putback, still aren't creating shots for easy baskets (35-25, Duke)
- Shelden hits a free throw line jumper, Texas is playing awful defense
- Redick is dominating on the offensive end, and Texas isn't hitting their shots (33-23, Duke)
- Texas turning the ball over, not looking efficient
- Texas needs some perimeter scoring
12-8 minutes...
- Duke getting some momentum, Texas has to withstand the run
- Duke freshmen making an impact (31-23, Duke)
- Paulus gets a lay up, McRoberts intercepts the pass, Paulus makes the dish to Shelden for the dunk
- Gibson drives the lane, and dishes to Aldridge for the dunk (27-23, Duke)
- Buckman needs to assert himself against McRoberts
- Redick hits a step back three..Texas needs to get on him (27-19, Duke)
- And he does. Tucker overpowers him in the lane. (24-19, Duke)
- Tucker has Pocius on him..he has to take advantage of that..
- Duke 5 of 7 from beyond the arc today
- Melchionni hits a three, they need him to be consistent with his shot today (24-17, Duke)
- Texas looking they are trying to take control...and then they turn it over--again (21-17, Duke)
- Gibson blocks Shelden from behind, then comes back down and charges into a defender
- Paulino gets another basket...surprising scorer today
16-12 minutes...
- Paulino hits a three-- they need him to hit shots if they are going to win
- McRoberts doing a solid job on the glass
- Redick comes off a dribble handoff and hits a long three (15-11, Duke)
- Redick is getting hot, hitting shots, already in double figures (17-11, Duke)
- Buckman not looking very solid down low..not taking advantage of his edge over McRoberts
- Tucker easily drove the lane...too strong for anyone on Duke (17-13, Duke)
- Williams dominating the interior..Aldridge and co. are having difficulty blocking him out
- Paulino gets a basket..if he gets ten points, Texas should win the game
- Redick hit another three..Texas is not doing a good job of defending him at all... (21-15, Duke)
First four minutes...
- Expected starting lineups
- Shelden gets first basket, overpowers Buckman (2-0, Duke)
- Gibson shows that he has a huge advantage over Duke's PGs (2-2)
- Shelden overpowers Buckman twice in the early going (4-2, Duke)
- Aldridge throws down (4-4)
- Redick missing shots early
- Not the crispest of games in the early going
- Aldridge looking very good with 4 points
- Redick finally gets going off of a screen (8-6, Duke)
- Duke getting baskets in transition
- Both teams starting to heat up (10-8, Duke)
- Redick hits two free throws (12-8, Duke)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)