Comments for All Sports Discussion

Comment on 5 Things the ACC can do to bring the Florida State fanbase back. by FSU an the ACC

FSU an the ACC — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:05:38 +0000

[...] to stick around, but I have to agree with these ideas about bowl payout and division realignment. 5 Things the ACC can do to bring the Florida State fanbase back. All Sports Discussion __________________ "If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?" -Vince [...]

Comment on For his arrest, what should be Sammy Watkins’ punishment? by MJGrant

MJGrant — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:54:49 +0000

It kills me to vote this way because I am a Tiger fan but I voted for the 3rd choice.

Comment on Is Duke basketball slipping? by Jfann

Jfann — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:13:55 +0000

Great comments from the Duke fans out there that I have a lot respect for. Singler and Smith were signed in the 07. So I should have clarified that there have been no elite players outside Irving and Rivers in the last 4 “signing” classes.

The point about getting knocked out in 07 then winning the national title is a good one. It’s certainly not panic time.

And I don’t think Duke is going anywhere. As long as Coach K is there Duke is a 25 win team every year, but I’m looking at the last several years as well. The Blue Devils have benefited from some ACC programs really falling on hardtimes.

I do think K has to modify his recruiting of the one and done candidates. In this day and age, it’s really difficult to win at the highest level without more of those type players.

Comment on Is Duke basketball slipping? by TobaccoRdMayor

TobaccoRdMayor — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:49:13 +0000

I don’t feel that Duke is slipping, it’s highly unreasonable to believe that any team, even a Coach K team can sustain a program at the very top year after year. I certainly agree they shouldn’t have lost to Lehigh with or without Ryan Kelly, and I also feel certain that if they played them again they would win at least 8 out of 10 times. Any team is going to have a down year, Duke included, but if a down year still yields 27 wins, well, that’s not to bad. I would also say that Duke has won 30 or more games in the last 3 seasons before this year. Mason Plumlee showed great improvement over the year and should he return I would expect even more improvement from him, as well as Austin. I would also mention Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith as great players for Duke, both’s resume reads well during their college careers. I agree Duke is slower and that Dawkins is here one game and gone for the next several, but I think as Duke fans we’ve become very spoiled to final fours, and when we don’t reach one it’s considered a down year by many, but again, that’s just not realistic.

Comment on Is Duke basketball slipping? by Burke

Burke — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:52:56 +0000

The last time Duke lost in the first round of the NCAA tourny (’07) and then lost in the second round the following year, I heard the exact same sentiments you are expressing: Duke is done. Duke is slipping. Duke is no longer elite. Two years later they are national champs. As long is Coach K is present, you do not have to have these elite players and elite talent that you say Duke is missing. If Mason Plumlee and Austin Rivers return (which is doubtful both will return) who is to say Duke won’t be one of the top teams in the country next year? They will be a team full of veteran players who understand that defense has been the name of the game for the Blue Devils for over 30 years and that is the reason they did not compete this year. No doubt this team over-achieved by winning the Maui and with all their wins against top teams this year, however they were exposed much of the year with their poor play against sub-par competition and multiple losses at home. That’s what you get with a team who’s best player was a freshman and nobody there to lead. I highly doubt Duke is “slipping” or “done” as the pundits will say. This team over-performed much of the year and unfortunately even though their record said they were a number 2 seed, most people knew they were not a number 2 seed (and Lehigh was no 15 seed). If Miles is the only player Duke loses next year, Duke will be right back in the thick of things. They will be more experienced, much deeper, and I guarantee you the Duke defense of old will be back with this team. Adding in Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee will increase depth and Rasheed will help with the inconsistency behind the arc. IF Shabazz or Jefferson (or both?) commit, Duke’s team will have no problem crushing your theory of the program “slipping” or being “done”.

Haters keep hating. Duke will be in the conversation as long as K is there. Period.

Comment on Is Duke basketball slipping? by Mike Kline

Mike Kline — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:58:18 +0000

I have to respectfully disagree with some of the points here. I agree that it is a natural question to ask whether Duke is slipping. I made some of the same reference to the lack of progression in the NCAA Tournament on my site the other day. And there is no doubt a loss to a 15 seed hurts and doesn’t look good for a top tier program.

I don’t think’s K’s eye for talent has been the cause of recent problems. Granted this year Duke didn’t have as much talent as they’ve had in past years and some of his guys haven’t panned out like you said. But I think that is because what we are seeing now is the change in his recruiting philosophy trying to take hold.

He has been redicent to go after the known one and dones until now. I believe he is attempting to build a team comprised of good four years prospects with one or two great potential one and dones to give him a mix of experience and leadership with skill.

He went after Irving and Rivers and now Shabazz Muhammad, who clearly looks like a one and done candidate. But he may not come and this recruiting plan, if it is his plan, might not be taking root just yet.

I think that will take time.

Now I disagree that Irving and Rivers are the only two elite players Duke has had recently. I consider Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler to have been elite. Maybe they weren’t one and done elite but by the time their careers were over they were elite.

Sulaimon is a shooting guard, supposedly in the mold of Nolan Smith, and by all accounts he is very good. We’ll see what else happens in recruiting but I for one am not overly concerned. Like you said 27-7 isn’t bad and they were a fairly inexperienced team who I suspect will be better next year, especially if Rivers stays, but even if he doesn’t I think they’ll be okay.

Comment on Is there a Duke and UNC backlash in the ACC? by ACC Game of the Weekend: North Carolina at Duke « One Game at a Time

ACC Game of the Weekend: North Carolina at Duke « One Game at a Time — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:40:50 +0000

[...] heard all about this game and that it will decide the ACC regular-season title. There has been some inevitable backlash to the national obsession with the rivalry, but with the success both teams have had – both in the ACC and nationally – the other [...]

Comment on Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods is still the rivalry we all want to see. by Benno

Benno — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Good post, but, Phil is actually ahead of Tiger when paired together. And, in the last 10 times against Tiger, Phil is 6-3-1. So, while Tiger will always have the best history, as of now Phil has the better record 1 on 1.

Comment on Adding the Miami Hurricanes to the ACC has been a total failure. by Jfann

Jfann — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:36:13 +0000

HI Canes,

At the time the allegations came out, there was serious discussion that Miami could get the Death penalty or at least a very severe penalty. It’s seems the NCAA may end up not giving the Canes much of a penalty and it obviously didn’t affect recruiting. Like I said I’m not sure Miami’s inclusion hasn’t worked out the way most had hoped, but in the end it is a logical fit.

Comment on Adding the Miami Hurricanes to the ACC has been a total failure. by Canes

Canes — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:22:11 +0000

Kody and Jfann, you are an idiot if you think that. The Canes will lose like like 10 schollies and POSSIBLY another bowl ban. You two morons have no idea what you’re talking about.