Midstate01;1330923 wrote:Red rider actually just knows all the coaches of every team he bandwagons. He's important

Yes I do.

Thomas will get his tonight. And, to a degree, Duke will be fine with letting him. Throughout the years, there has actually been a pretty high number of players from non-conference teams that have come to Cameron and put up big-time scoring and shooting totals. One notable performance was spindly Butler guard Darnell Archey, who sank six threes inside the stadium in 2003 during a riveting demonstration from behind the picket fence, two or three of which were from close to 30 feet. He was a remarkable marksman and put on a show for the ages. But Butler was beaten silly anyway.

The main focus tonight will be on everyone else, and stopping the three ball, which Duke traditionally does as well as any team in the nation. Last year, Duke didn't have a any perimeter defense to speak of. This season Duke has 6-4 Rasheed Sulaimon, an improved Quinn Cook and a feisty defensive dynamo off the bench in Tyler Thornton. I'd be willing to bet the Buckeys won't being having an Indiana-like field day from out there tonight. Unlike certain coaches, Coach K realizes that the game is no longer played with peach buckets. The three-point shot is very real and it can murder you.

reclegend22;1331350 wrote:Thomas will get his tonight. And, to a degree, Duke will be fine with letting him. Throughout the years, there has actually been a pretty high number of players from non-conference teams that have come to Cameron and put up big-time scoring and shooting totals. One notable performance was spindly Butler guard Darnell Archey, who sank six threes inside the stadium in 2003 during a riveting demonstration from behind the picket fence, two or three of which were from close to 30 feet. He was a remarkable marksman and put on a show for the ages. But Butler was beaten silly anyway.

The main focus tonight will be on everyone else, and stopping the three ball, which Duke traditionally does as well as any team in the nation. Last year, Duke didn't have a any perimeter defense to speak of. This season Duke has 6-4 Rasheed Sulaimon, an improved Quinn Cook and a feisty defensive dynamo off the bench in Tyler Thornton. I'd be willing to bet the Buckeys won't being having an Indiana-like field day from out there tonight. Unlike certain coaches, Coach K realizes that the game is no longer played with peach buckets. The three-point shot is very real and it can murder you.

On the other side of it, OSU will need to contain Plumlee on the interior. We may see a lot of Amir Williams tonight. On the perimeter, Craft, Smith, Scott and Thompson are all really good defenders, so I'm not terribly worried about that. Craft can screw up a lot of offenses with his ability to lock down the PG.

se-alum;1331357 wrote:On the other side of it, OSU will need to contain Plumlee on the interior. We may see a lot of Amir Williams tonight. On the perimeter, Craft, Smith, Scott and Thompson are all really good defenders, so I'm not terribly worried about that. Craft can screw up a lot of offenses with his ability to lock down the PG.

I agree that Craft is one of the best on-ball defenders college basketball has seen in several years. He plays with such focus and with a rigid understanding of proper defensive positioning and footwork. Craft rarely seems out of place on the floor. I am most intrigued to see how Quinn Cook handles that type of pressure. Cook did a wonderful job directing the Duke offense against the full-court attacks of VCU and Louisville, but Craft presents an entirely different brand of pressure: the you against him, straight up, Joe Dumars kind.

The key for Duke winning tonight, in my view, depends almost entirely on how well Cook is able to maintain his composure against Craft. This year's Duke team has been at its best when picking up the pace of play and finding the shooters and Plumlee for scoring opportunities in the open court. Cook versus Craft is going to be a treat. (Hopefully not just for OSU.)

I'd be surprised if OSU can stay within 10 of Dook, but the experience of playing an excellent team, at a venue like Cameron, could/should prove invaluable as the season progresses...GO BUCKS!!!

vball10set;1331400 wrote:I'd be surprised if OSU can stay within 10 of Dook, but the experience of playing an excellent team, at a venue like Cameron, could/should prove invaluable as the season progresses...GO BUCKS!!!

That's how I'm looking at. Realistically, Duke should be better, as they're on all cylinders right now and have a lot of good experience. But for a team like Ohio State, which is loaded with guys learning larger roles and trying to get used to not having a great player like Sully and a very good one like Buford. At this point, I don't think their support guys are where they need to be in order to beat the elite teams, but having 40 minutes on the road against one of those teams is a good way to learn where they need to get to.

Heretic;1331431 wrote:That's how I'm looking at. Realistically, Duke should be better, as they're on all cylinders right now and have a lot of good experience. But for a team like Ohio State, which is loaded with guys learning larger roles and trying to get used to not having a great player like Sully and a very good one like Buford. At this point, I don't think their support guys are where they need to be in order to beat the elite teams, but having 40 minutes on the road against one of those teams is a good way to learn where they need to get to.

Yea, I'm expecting 10-15 point Duke win. Just not sold on the OSU role players right yet.

You guys are already preparing for a loss??? Hilarious!!! You guys are ranked #4 and Duke is NOT Kentucky from last year

There is reason duke is favored and most reasonable fans understand a victory at CIS is not likely.

Red Rider Nation;1331628 wrote:You guys are already preparing for a loss??? Hilarious!!! You guys are ranked #4 and Duke is NOT Kentucky from last year

Are you slow?

Automatik;1331648 wrote:Are you slow?

Yes-retarded in fact!

Cleveland Buck;1330985 wrote:By the end of the year this Buckeye team might be top 10-15 type team, but they aren't now, and they certainly aren't the #4 team in the country. Not to mention Ohio State humiliated the Dukies last year and I think this one could get ugly. There is no way the Buckeyes can score enough.

That's all well and good, but if OSU isn't #4 who is?

I think that the Bucks' ability to defend will keep them in this game.

wrote:There is reason duke is favored and most reasonable fans understand a victory at CIS is not likely.

While it is true that Duke has not lost a non-conference game in Cameron since Eric Barkley was still playing college basketball (February 26, 2000, to St. John's), Duke fans have plenty of reason to approach this game with caution. The Buckeyes have two star players back from a team that pummeled Duke last season. Craft and Thomas were absolutely integral in that victory, scoring 17 and 18 points, respectively, with Craft also tallying eight assists and lockdown defense and Thomas electric outside shooting.

Someone has to step up and have a break out game, maybe Ross?

robj55;1331725 wrote:Someone has to step up and have a break out game, maybe Ross?

If he even gets the opportunity?

All I've heard is how well this kid can shoot it. LET'S SEE IT!

robj55;1331725 wrote:Someone has to step up and have a break out game, maybe Ross?

I think Smith Jr. needs to have a big game. He's had them in the past, just not consistently.

I freaking hate late games

Red Rider Nation;1331628 wrote:Duke is NOT Kentucky from last year

No but they are Duke of this year

LJ;1331738 wrote:I freaking hate late games

Only 8pm here in Chicago. Hope this helps.

SportsAndLady;1331742 wrote:Only 8pm here in Chicago. Hope this helps.

Would still be over past my bedtime. I get up at 5:30.

LJ;1331738 wrote:I freaking hate late games

Yeah, 9:30 tip on the east coast is dumb as hell.

LJ;1331744 wrote:Would still be over past my bedtime. I get up at 5:30.

I get up at 6, come on you can stay up to 1030 lol

Automatik;1331786 wrote:Yeah, 9:30 tip on the east coast is dumb as hell.

Sucks, but its smart.

9-10 is the #1 spot, ratings wise, on television.

Lets Go Bucks!

Automatik;1331786 wrote:Yeah, 9:30 tip on the east coast is dumb as hell.

What are you 10?