from a dookie message board in a distant galaxy...

Question -- Who has the most leadership potential on this team?

Answer: Daniel Ewing -- and he's one year away.

I've been watching ball long enough to notice significant trends, be they positive or negative. Last year, I predicted Duke to win the national title. I do not make that prediction often. The last time I made it was in 1994 -- and I was wrong.

The most significant aspect I look for is leadership. A bunch of well-talented guys led by a strong leader will beat a bunch of guys led by an average leader almost any day. In 1992, I knew Christian could pull them through. In 1994, I thought Grant Hill could pull them through (and he nearly did). In 2001, I knew Shane could pull them through and he did.

This year's Duke team lacks the "mother fu#$er" (see Coach K quote from Feinstein's "March to Madness") to pull the fellas through. People, I hate to say this but the fact is, we just don't have IT this year. That is not a major knock against Duke. Hell, we won the national championship last year. No matter what happens, we have had a great year of basketball. You simply cannot win the national championship every year.

That said, I still believe we can win it all, but it will take somewhat of a miracle. If I had to bet my paycheck on it I would vote for a no win. We need a leader. We need a bad ass. Ewing is that man but he is a year away. Look for us to be in the championship game again in 2004.

-Bacon

Kansas will win this year's national championship.

and another
I am a die hard Duke fan, yet I find myself starting feel apprehnsive toward this team for a couple of reasons. First off, we just don't seem totry until the final few minutes of close games, the reason being that we seem to have this invincible mindset that Coach K shouldn'tallow to exist. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge K fan, but why does he let our guys get by putting forth have-as effort? Jason Williams may be the sole exception. Tonight (in the UVA game), he showed his determination towards the end of the game by hitting 5/6 foul shots. Unfortunately, that one miss was crucial, but things happen. The second reason is that we lack leadership. Again, late in the game Jason seems to show signs of it, but when we're not losing or it's not a close game, no one steps up and takes charge. Lastly, we don't go to Carlos nearly enough. I mean he had 33 points tonight yet he did't touch the ball for about a six minute stretch. I'm not sure there's any valid explanation for this. They guarded him kind of tight, but our passers are good enough to PENETRATE (worked great early on, but apparently we decided not to do it later in the game) and make the tough pass. I don't see a bright future this year unless we get our act together, which I don't see happening

little more room on the bandwagon.... <img border="0" alt="[Laughing]" title="" src="graemlins/laughing.gif" />

Losing to a team the caliber of Florida State was bad enough. Looking totally outclassed by Maryland might have been a little more understandable. But being outscored 21-1 and blowing a 15 point lead against a team that's lost 7 out of 9 pretty much says it all.
This is a talented enough team to win it all, but all the 30 point blowouts in the world can't mask the unpleasant reality of the inexcusable lows this team suffers against subpar competition. It has nothing to do with heart, nor can or should it be blamed on any one player, who all play hard, or the coach, the best in the country. It seems the burden of high expectations is just too much for this team. If that's a weak explanation, someone find a better one for the grade school play of All-ACC players the last five minutes. This is hardly unique to Duke: it's happened to countless champions trying to defend their crown. But this team is looking very ugly when it loses its concentration, and it's not going to get much better in the NCAAs.

K can rouse them back up and take this team to the Final Four. But an NC seems pretty damned unlikely. And I wouldn't want to see them against the darkhorse of the moment in the Sweet 16, Cal, Oregon, Western Kentucky, whoever.

Poor guys...

<img border="0" alt="[Laughing]" title="" src="graemlins/laughing.gif" />

Oh my GOD!!!

Bandwagon Boy
Player
Posts: 1122
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 03-01-2002 10:58 AM
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I just heard we lost to Verginia Tech last night what the heck is going on! I have HAD it! This garbage has to stop NOW! I refuse to except loosing and it's time Coach Kay got off his high horse and stopped excepting it to! He has oviously lost control of this team and they are falling apart! He needs to wake up and stop loosing baketball games! I HATE loosing and do not except it maybe these players need to learn that loosing is no good! And coach Kay too I know he doesnt care about the ACC and he wants us to be under dogs in the tournement so it will be more fun but I am sick of loosing like this! You never see my Kansas loosing like this so why is Duke! If I wanted to cheer for a bunch of loosers I would go be a Carolina fan! But I do not! I have about had it with this nonsince it is time for Coach Kay to stop resting on his lorals and stop coasting off of that last championship and start trying to win out there! I am sick of all you apologests who always stick up for the looser players and coaches after a loss it is people like you that are to blame! I cant stand it and I refuse to except it! Does Coach Kay need to take lessons from Marryland and Kansas on how to win it looks like he forgot! And what about the players I am sick of this did you see how many shots they missed what a bunch of chokers! Where is they HEARt they have none back when we won it all everone on that whole team had HEART but this years team doesnt have any what a bunch of loosers! Coach Kay needs to get on the stick and MOTORVATE these kids and punish them for loosing! Why wont he do anything about it! He aught to make them run laps thats what I'd do why cant Coach kay see that what is his problems is it the looser players or is it the coaching its one or the other and some one better do something soon because I haev had it with this nonsince!!!!!!

You know how many teams would LOVE to lose 3 games during the regular season? Duke lost more than that in last year's regular season. They are fine. I think that they'll have at least one game in the tournament where they don't hit the three. In that instance, they'd better get a little lucky.