After we play Cal on Tuesday, we will have played 5 games since Dec 1 that aren't that far off talent-wise from what we could see in the NCAA tournament.
William & Mary is sitting at 6-3, with close losses at Dayton and at Howard aside from the loss to us. They've beaten NCSU and ODU. A team of their caliber is who we're likely to see in Round 2.
Ohio State has struggled some early, but have some talented young players, and just handled Kentucky yesterday. The rankings won't reflect it now, but I have a hard time seeing 32 better teams in the country...plus we beat them in their building. They could be our Round 3.
Cal as a Sweet 16 team could be a bit of a stretch, but they're 9-2 and rising. They're young but very talented. They definitely will be a test...especially with Martin as coach.
The WVU game had a Sweet 16, even Elite 8 feel to it...IMO it helps that a game like that was at MSG rather than on the road or JPJ. Argue if you'd like, but I think a big reason why Duke has had success in the NCAAT has to do with K scheduling big OOC games at neutral sites...that's how it is in the tourney. WVU plays a style we don't see every night, and I could see them getting past the first weekend of the NCAAT.
The two teams we saw yesterday are both Final Four caliber. We pulled away when Tony was able to guard Ochefu straight up with Tobey. Most teams won't have the luxury of having a 7'0 as talented as Mike to do that. More often than not teams will need to double him, and he's a good enough passer to find one of their many 3 point shooters on the wings. Let's not underestimate our win yesterday...that was a very good team. We'll only play 3 more teams (UNC, Duke, Miami) who are as dangerous the rest of the season...not sure Duke is right now, but they should have Jefferson back when we play them.
I think Tony knew exactly what he was doing with scheduling this year. 5 good games in a row...2 of them not at JPJ. This is the type of OOC stretch that will prep us much better for March than the last 2 years.
William & Mary is sitting at 6-3, with close losses at Dayton and at Howard aside from the loss to us. They've beaten NCSU and ODU. A team of their caliber is who we're likely to see in Round 2.
Ohio State has struggled some early, but have some talented young players, and just handled Kentucky yesterday. The rankings won't reflect it now, but I have a hard time seeing 32 better teams in the country...plus we beat them in their building. They could be our Round 3.
Cal as a Sweet 16 team could be a bit of a stretch, but they're 9-2 and rising. They're young but very talented. They definitely will be a test...especially with Martin as coach.
The WVU game had a Sweet 16, even Elite 8 feel to it...IMO it helps that a game like that was at MSG rather than on the road or JPJ. Argue if you'd like, but I think a big reason why Duke has had success in the NCAAT has to do with K scheduling big OOC games at neutral sites...that's how it is in the tourney. WVU plays a style we don't see every night, and I could see them getting past the first weekend of the NCAAT.
The two teams we saw yesterday are both Final Four caliber. We pulled away when Tony was able to guard Ochefu straight up with Tobey. Most teams won't have the luxury of having a 7'0 as talented as Mike to do that. More often than not teams will need to double him, and he's a good enough passer to find one of their many 3 point shooters on the wings. Let's not underestimate our win yesterday...that was a very good team. We'll only play 3 more teams (UNC, Duke, Miami) who are as dangerous the rest of the season...not sure Duke is right now, but they should have Jefferson back when we play them.
I think Tony knew exactly what he was doing with scheduling this year. 5 good games in a row...2 of them not at JPJ. This is the type of OOC stretch that will prep us much better for March than the last 2 years.
