UNC Basketball

Here's something for you LD: From Insider

While most people, me included, believe North Carolina is one of the clear favorites to win a national title, they are not without flaws. Despite that Carolina has the most experienced and, frankly, best 3-4-5 combo in the country and a rising star in Kendall Marshall at the point, it is not as if it will steamroll everyone and everything in its way.

The other prevailing wisdom says Duke is the clear No. 2 in the ACC. With Austin Rivers, the Plumlee brothers (there are 3 at Duke now) and the combination of Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry returning, the Blue Devils seem loaded with youth, athleticism and size. On the other hand, how good is Duke going to be compared to Florida State? When you examine the two teams, the Devils may not even be the second-best squad in the ACC.


Think about it for a second: Duke's entire offense is gone from last year with Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler gone, and while Mason Plumlee looked fantastic early in the year, he was very ordinary when Irving was injured. Rivers is an elite talent, but he is a combo guard. So, who is the point guard? Can Curry guard anyone? Will either Plumlee establish a post game? How much of Duke's newfound depth do they actually use? It seems like every year Duke is deep, then they play seven guys.

Florida State, on the other hand, is loaded. Sure, it lost Chris Singleton, but ask around and you will find that the cupboard is not only full, it is experienced and diverse.

Low-post scoring? Try Bernard James on for size. He is a 6-foot-9, 27-year-old Air Force vet who now has an entire year of Division I hoops under his belt. He's a warrior on the boards, like the Plumlees, but far better in the low block.

Shooting? How about Deividas Dulkys, a senior who has struggled with consistency; junior Mike Snaer; sophomore Ian Miller; newcomers Terry Whisnant and Antwan Space. The Seminoles may have lost their star in Singleton, but Okaro White is a thinner, longer version of the defensive stopper. And White is more offensively inclined that Singleton. I think White could explode this year.

Additionally FSU returns a wealth of big men, and veteran Luke Loucks gets his first shot at the point since splitting time with Derwin Kitchen. Miller should get a shot to run the offense as well.

Keep in mind that Florida State will continue to be elite defensively, with length at the wings, a shot-blocker inside (James) and tremendous rebounding (Jon Kreft, Xavier Gibson et al). We so quickly forget FSU was a possession away from beating VCU in OT for a spot in the Elite Eight and was the best defensive team in the country last season. The Noles beat Duke last season and have equal or better experience to UNC, and more than Duke. In fact, FSU likely has more NBA talent than Duke (though not more than UNC).

Florida State is not without its warts. Turnovers should be an issue again as Loucks tries to make the home run pass too often, and Miller is just not a point. Arkansas transfer Jeff Peterson (eligible right away) is an average athlete who has a lot of experience at two schools and whose coaches were both fired after he started at the point (a remarkable record when you think of it). Still the Seminoles are worthy of consideration for the No. 2 spot, despite losing their top two scorers and leading rebounder, because of the job they have done in recruiting and the focus on the defensive end Leonard Hamilton and staff have stressed.

Discount the Noles at your own peril.

 

I think it's pretty obvious that K knows he can't keep up with Roy unless he cheats......

 

...because Roy cheats?

 

Of course not - he's just that much better than K. If he wanted to cheat, he'd go to a Big East school.

 

or go over to the football team.

 

If Roy wanted to cheat he would allow his players to accept cash graduation gifts...oh, wait, he already did that.

 

If I ask you real nice, would you go kick Collin's ass again? Please?

 

They had already left the university, hadn't they? Your cheating rat has to bribe kids to come to your second rate school. Maybe he should just give them free invites to the lax parties.....

 

Duke, second rate school? Y'all quit play fightin' before somebody gets hurt...

 

Hey, at least they are two alumni going at it. But yeah, logic sometimes gets thrown out the window. lol