Bradley vs Duke

[Bravesfan]

They're to good to schedule a one and done on the road.

I'm glad JL is doing this and I believe it is a very positive move for numerous reasons. I'm sure a lot of Duke fans are going to wonder who and the he!l we are and hopefully we'll show them. I like the early date of the game and with our experience back court it should help us.

Right. And with a lot of new players on Duke, perhaps we can catch them at the right time before they gel later in the season.

[peoriaspitfire]

Thanks Jim and whomever else for getting us this game. I'll take BU and the points any day!

[tornado]

here's an article on Duke's massive revenue & budget compared to most basketball programs..

http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/07/01/duke-basketball-makes-good-use-of-a-budget-suitable-for-football/

[BU Firsty]

Hello all. I am a native Peorian, and a lifelong Braves fan. However, I am also a 2009 alum of Duke University. While I now live in New York, I still try to keep up with the braves, and always do my best to catch a game when I am able to get back to the Heartland. Anyway, when my Mother rang me up this morning to share the news of this matchup, I could not have been more ecstatic.
Though I wish my beloved Braves the best, I must choose my diploma over my birthright. Come December, I will be covered in royal blue, and making as much noise as I possibly can for my Devils.
This will be a long post containing my thoughts on many varying issues regarding the game. Take them for what they're worth, I realize that might not be much.
Regarding tickets, anyone who is capable should definitely look into attending the game. Basketball in Cameron is truly an unbelievable experience. First, it is small, as in approx. 9,000 seats, a few thousand smaller than Carver Arena. But what is more, is that it is indeed a very small 9,000 (Remember, that Duke's undergraduate population is only slightly larger than Bradley's). People who step into Cameron when there is no game often comment that it looks like a high school gym: Students stand on bleachers around the court, the ceilings are LOW, and the air conditioning is rarely on. For any of you fortunate enough to remember games in Robertson Fieldhouse, Im sure it will bring back some good memories.
If you do make it down be sure to check out the campus as well, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful academic settings in the world. The Sarah Duke Gardens are considered one of the premier botanical gardens on the Eastern Seaboard, and the Duke Chapel is one of the most spectacular edifices I have come across thus far.
Now the game being held in December is both good and bad for Braves fans planning to attend. I imagine the game will be slotted in one of two spots, either between the end of exams and the team's Xmas break (roughly Dec. 10-20), or else just before New Year's Day (Dec. 29-31). Either way the students will be on winter break. This means that A) Tickets should be easier to obtain than when class in session (though easier is a relative term when it comes to Duke tix) and B) While Cameron is always fantastic, what truly makes it romp is the presence of the Crazies. Don't get me wrong the Alumni and the Durhamites, that slot in for them do a pretty good job, but they simply cant quite match the energy and aura of a bunch of college sophomores dripping in blue. That said, if the game is in the later slot right before New Year's, there will be some students that have come back early to camp out in Krzyzewskiville (our tent city) to get the best seats for the Carolina game. Meaning that the tickets will be slightly harder to come by, but the atmosphere will be slightly more crazy.
I know a few of you said you knew Iron Dukes. I would definitely ask them about tickets, though keep in mind that not all Iron Dukes are created equal. I myself am an Iron Duke. Melinda Gates is an Iron Duke. And while I hope to attend the game, my access does not derive my Iron Duke status. The best way in, is to know a student (either undergrad or grad) and see if they will lend you their student ID. With this you simply show up and attend the game for free. I suppose this is not a great option for those over 40 and/or decked in Bradley gear, but still, this is how I got my non-Duke friends into games when they came to visit.
Finally, as to the game itself. I hate to tell you BB but this year Duke looks about as UNbeatable as they have in awhile. We will be preseason No. 1, and it should be close to if not completely unanimous. Only Michigan State and Purdue, have decent arguments to challenge as of now. We return, the Final Four MOP and likely Preseason NPOY, Kyle Singler, as well as NCAA all-tournament team and likely preseaon First Team All American Nolan Smith, along with the brothers Plumlee, and Andre Dawkins. Then we add Seth Curry (Steph's little bro) who was the leading Freshman scorer IN THE NATION, at Liberty. Granted it was Liberty, but many people around the program have said he was the best and most consistent player in practice throughout his transfer year. Finally, we add Kyrie Irving, the top PG prospect in the nation. Check out some projected 2011 draft boards, to see where he stands (along with Mason Plumlee). Coach K, has said, that Kyrie will instantly transform Duke's offense this year, and has compared him to Chris Paul. Anyone, who knows Coach K, knows that this is not how he talks about players, especially about Freshmen. So anyway, while we did lose (my old buddies) Scheyer, Zoubek, and Thomas from last year, the perception, amongst Dukies at least, is that "talent wise", next years team represents a net gain. It is unequivocally a net gain according to NBA execs.
Coach K likely has two potential starting lineups one big (Irving, Smith, Singler, Ma. Plumlee, Mi. Plumlee) and one small (Irving, Smith, Curry, Singler, Ma. Plumlee). Though Dawkins, Ryan Kelly and Josh Hairston will also demand minutes off the bench. I will be interested to see which lineup Coach chooses to use against the Braves. My instinct says small. Im curious what you guys think. Either way, I think the odds of the Braves leaving Tobacco Road victorious are slim at best. The hope (for you guys) would be that Duke looks past the Braves kind of like Kansas and Pitt and Illinois did. Unfortunately, not looking past opponents in the early non-conference schedule is maybe Coach K's most consistent attribute. There is a reason for the 77 game non-conference home win streak. Also, Cameron is almost assuredly the biggest home advantage in all of sports. Luckily, for Bradley, the Crazies will be on holiday. Otherwise, I'm sure the cheer sheets with all the dirt would undoubtedly make the rounds and the Braves would hear about it. If the games is in late December, they might hear about it anyway. Hopefully, the Crazies haven't come across Taylor Brown's Twitter page. That might make TB's trips to the line a bit awkward. Don't worry, I won't tell if you won't!
In conclusion, this should be a great game. One that I will be sure to make every effort to attend (with a Bradley T-shirt under my Duke gear). As the game gets closer, I will be happy to share information regarding hotel accommodations, restaurants, and other attractions. Id even be happy to meet up with some of you for drinks or whatever, if anyone would be interested. Duke is an extraordinary place, that means a lot to me. I'm really happy, that many of you from my beloved hometown school, will get to see it. Here's hoping for a battle of undefeateds come December.

I am OK with everything you stated but this "The hope (for you guys) would be that Duke looks past the Braves kind of like Kansas and Pitt and Illinois did." I think that is a slap in the face.

I am certain that after losing to Bucknell the year before, Kansas did not "look past" Bradley. Similarly, after the win over Kansas, do you think Pitt "looked past" Bradley? Were you at that game? Bradley was absolutely the superior team in that match-up. Finally, Illinois "looked past" Bradley? Give me a break. It is possible that Bradley was competitive in those games and to portray it as the only way the Braves won was because Kansas, Pitt and Illinois "looked past them" is an insult.

[godukegobradley]

Right. And with a lot of new players on Duke, perhaps we can catch them at the right time before they gel later in the season.

Of the Duke players expected to be significant contributors, only ONE was not either on the team last year or practicing with the team last year. And here is what he looks like when playing against other high school all-americans...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmcFT803P9E&feature=related

And here is a recent tweet from notorious Duke hater Andy Katz regarding Irving and this year's Duke team....???Elite coach watching USA hoops in San Antonio predicts: G Kyrie Irving will be nat??™l fr of yr, No. 1 pick in ???11 and Duke will win title.???

I say all of this not to disparage you all of your chances of winning, but merely to stress that when it comes to this one, there will be no shortcuts. If the Braves manage to pull this out, it will shock the world, and it will be an achievement of tremendous proportions for all the young men involved. It will speak loudly of their talent and deafeningly about their collective will.

This team of Blue Devils is smart, seasoned, extremely talented, and well coached. It took a LOT of GUTS for JL and the staff to slot this one. Just playing the game will do great things for the program in terms of exposure, experience for the players (in strictly basketball terms and in lifetime memory terms), and excitement for the fanbase, not to mention the fat check my alma mater is probably issuing out right now.

And IF, on that ever so slight chance, a mircale happens on Tobacco Road that night then your boys deserve the full credit for what they would have done. They would have beaten, a team captained by TWO Senior All-Americans, mixed in with lottery level talent and tournament tested reinforcements, led by a coach who has not lost a home game to a non-conference team in a DECADE, playing in the most hostile environment in all of sports. And just for your added pleasure that team is also the reigning National Champion and likely consensus number 1 on the date of the game.

Any statement that minimizes the challenge ahead, or the possible triumph a victory would represent does a disservice to the players who will take the floor and the fans who will be urging them on.

As a Dukie to the core, I will be happy when my Devils win and advance on the course of what could be a TRULY special season. However, as a De Facto Brave, I would be thrilled to see the team, the school, and the Peoria community achieve a victory that would be so momentous. And no amount of "they haven't gelled yet", "Hey, Butler almost did it too", or "Those guys are overrated" should ever take any of that away.

[godukegobradley]

I am OK with everything you stated but this "The hope (for you guys) would be that Duke looks past the Braves kind of like Kansas and Pitt and Illinois did." I think that is a slap in the face.

I am certain that after losing to Bucknell the year before, Kansas did not "look past" Bradley. Similarly, after the win over Kansas, do you think Pitt "looked past" Bradley? Were you at that game? Bradley was absolutely the superior team in that match-up. Finally, Illinois "looked past" Bradley? Give me a break. It is possible that Bradley was competitive in those games and to portray it as the only way the Braves won was because Kansas, Pitt and Illinois "looked past them" is an insult.

Perhaps, I should have chosen my words more carefully. I certainly did not mean it to be an insult. As a Braves fan, I hold all three of these moments in high esteem. While I wish I was fortunate enough to see those games in person, I was unable, yet did watch them on TV.
As to Kansas: I agree that the Braves were the best team ON THAT NIGHT. In the end that is all that matters, and that is all that should matter. However, in all the pregame interviews I saw, I witnessed a Kansas team that was extremely cocky coming off their win in the Big 12 Tourney, and fairly unfamiliar with the Braves personel and style of play (ie not knowing Patrick O'Bryant's name, and comparing him to Lamarcus Aldridge (a player who in my mind at least he was nothing like)). I guess we cant really know but my hunch is that Bill Self wishes he had spent a little more time in the film room looking at the Braves, instead of looking past them to Pitt in the second round.

As to Pitt: I doubt that Jamie Dixon and his staff spent two hours going through Bradley footage until they won their game on Friday. To begin with, they had a 25 win Kent St. team going that day. And whatever time they spent thinking about Sunday was almost assuredly heavily devoted to Kansas, the most likely and in their minds the most challenging matchup. Lets face it there is no way they ever thought they would play Bradley, and they probably figured if they did, they wouldnt have much trouble getting ready for a 20 win (at the time) team from a mid-major. Boy were they wrong!

So in regards to both of these games: Did Bradley outplay their opponents? Yes. Did Bradley deserve to win? Yes. Were they a better team? Probably. Are these a couple of my all-time favorite sports memories? After last years Duke title, Yes.

BUT... I think that there is no doubt that Bradley profited from teams that were at least somewhat overconfident and/or underprepared. And I think you would be hard pressed to find a Kansas or a Pitt fan that wouldn't agree.

Finally, in regards to Illinois '09. You are completely right. That team was terrible, and I should not have included it. The Illini knew or should have known exactly what was coming, and they just lost.

I dont think this degrades the achievement of 2006, it just acknowledges a factor in the victories. Believe me, if Bradley knocks off the Devils come December, my fellow Dukies will start searching for every contributing factor they can find. It shouldn't be lack of talent; it shouldn't be inexperience. Thus it would likely need to be an oversight in preparation. Something that Coach K just doesn't do. Hence, why I think the Braves chances are rather insubstantial. But hey, you never know.

[BUFanatic]

I think there is going to be a very sophisticated "gentleman's bout" very soon! lolz

[VeveJones007]

Perhaps, I should have chosen my words more carefully. I certainly did not mean it to be an insult. As a Braves fan, I hold all three of these moments in high esteem. While I wish I was fortunate enough to see those games in person, I was unable, yet did watch them on TV.
As to Kansas: I agree that the Braves were the best team ON THAT NIGHT. In the end that is all that matters, and that is all that should matter. However, in all the pregame interviews I saw, I witnessed a Kansas team that was extremely cocky coming off their win in the Big 12 Tourney, and fairly unfamiliar with the Braves personel and style of play (ie not knowing Patrick O'Bryant's name, and comparing him to Lamarcus Aldridge (a player who in my mind at least he was nothing like)). I guess we cant really know but my hunch is that Bill Self wishes he had spent a little more time in the film room looking at the Braves, instead of looking past them to Pitt in the second round.

As to Pitt: I doubt that Jamie Dixon and his staff spent two hours going through Bradley footage until they won their game on Friday. To begin with, they had a 25 win Kent St. team going that day. And whatever time they spent thinking about Sunday was almost assuredly heavily devoted to Kansas, the most likely and in their minds the most challenging matchup. Lets face it there is no way they ever thought they would play Bradley, and they probably figured if they did, they wouldnt have much trouble getting ready for a 20 win (at the time) team from a mid-major. Boy were they wrong!

So in regards to both of these games: Did Bradley outplay their opponents? Yes. Did Bradley deserve to win? Yes. Were they a better team? Probably. Are these a couple of my all-time favorite sports memories? After last years Duke title, Yes.

BUT... I think that there is no doubt that Bradley profited from teams that were at least somewhat overconfident and/or underprepared. And I think you would be hard pressed to find a Kansas or a Pitt fan that wouldn't agree.

Finally, in regards to Illinois '09. You are completely right. That team was terrible, and I should not have included it. The Illini knew or should have known exactly what was coming, and they just lost.

I dont think this degrades the achievement of 2006, it just acknowledges a factor in the victories. Believe me, if Bradley knocks off the Devils come December, my fellow Dukies will start searching for every contributing factor they can find. It shouldn't be lack of talent; it shouldn't be inexperience. Thus it would likely need to be an oversight in preparation. Something that Coach K just doesn't do. Hence, why I think the Braves chances are rather insubstantial. But hey, you never know.

Those excuses are garbage. Each team had the same amount of time to prepare and Kansas and Pitt were outcoached and outplayed by a team under the exact same circumstances as them.

[godukegobradley]

Those excuses are garbage. Each team had the same amount of time to prepare and Kansas and Pitt were outcoached and outplayed by a team under the exact same circumstances as them.

When it comes to losing no excuse is a GOOD excuse, but that doesn't mean they are without truth. I must say also in response, that while Bradley played in the MVC title game on March 5 of 06, Kansas had to play in the Big 12 Tourney the weekend of March 10-12, and found out about their opponent just hours after stepping off the floor in the title game. Now I know Bradley did not know their fate either, but they did have 11 days to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the challenges ahead, as compared to Kansas' 4. Again, certainly not THE reason Bradley won the game, but almost assuredly a contributing factor.

[Braves4Life]

Now I know Bradley did not know their fate either, but they did have 11 days to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the challenges ahead, as compared to Kansas' 4. Again, certainly not THE reason Bradley won the game, but almost assuredly a contributing factor.

Can't agree with that reasoning. It's often just the opposite. The team with the longer layoff often has become rusty and lost their momentum. KU was coming in hot (and cocky) and simply got had it handed to them by the better team on that day. Ditto for Pitt.

BU played to the best of their abilities and were extremely well coached, whereas KU and Pitt simply did not match the intensity of the better-coached Braves....... And the same thing could happen 12/08/10 to your beloved Dookies.

[houstontxbrave]

When it comes to losing no excuse is a GOOD excuse, but that doesn't mean they are without truth. I must say also in response, that while Bradley played in the MVC title game on March 5 of 06, Kansas had to play in the Big 12 Tourney the weekend of March 10-12, and found out about their opponent just hours after stepping off the floor in the title game. Now I know Bradley did not know their fate either, but they did have 11 days to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the challenges ahead, as compared to Kansas' 4. Again, certainly not THE reason Bradley won the game, but almost assuredly a contributing factor.

Fine you want to make an excuse for Kansas by all means go for it, its short sighted but whatever... but do not make any excuse for Pittsburgh. They saw exactly what they were getting and there is no way in the world they ever overlooked Bradley.

If you think that then you did not watch the game and are only assuming. Bradley flat out outplayed Pittsburgh in every single area of that game. Same goes for Kansas but I guess they get a pass because they played on the Sunday before the Friday tourney game and I guess were just worn out.

You might be the only person ever who "says" they are a Bradley fan and have tried to make an excuse for either Kansas or Pittsburgh losing in the NCAA. Very Weak.

[godukegobradley]

BU played to the best of their abilities and were extremely well coached, whereas KU and Pitt simply did not match the intensity of the better-coached Braves....... And the same thing could happen 12/08/10 to your beloved Dookies.

I will say that IF this year's Braves play with the same level of talent and cohesiveness, that the February-March '06 Braves played with, we Dukies could be in for a stiffer test than we are foreseeing.
Still, I think this year's Duke team will be markedly better, than either '06 Kansas or '06 Pitt, and will be playing with a significant home court advantage, something neither of those teams enjoyed. And as I am sure we all can acknowledge, the '10 Braves have their work cut out for them, if they plan to actually go about matching their '06 counterparts.

Complete side note: Man, I don't think I can wait 5+ months for this game!

[real fan]

Fine you want to make an excuse for Kansas by all means go for it, its short sighted but whatever... but do not make any excuse for Pittsburgh. They saw exactly what they were getting and there is no way in the world they ever overlooked Bradley.

If you think that then you did not watch the game and are only assuming. Bradley flat out outplayed Pittsburgh in every single area of that game. Same goes for Kansas but I guess they get a pass because they played on the Sunday before the Friday tourney game and I guess were just worn out.

You might be the only person ever who "says" they are a Bradley fan and have tried to make an excuse for either Kansas or Pittsburgh losing in the NCAA. Very Weak.

Bradley flat out outplayed Kansas in 06 and it had nothing to do with how much rest either team had, the final score was actually closer then the overall game, just goes to show you that the so called mid-majors can play good basketball , Duke should feel fortunate that Butler did not win that game as the half court shot came inches from winning it.

[ph]

Our '06 team was a different beast. With (2) 7'ers and several 6'5" guards on the bench, we looked like a real team "walking through the airport". That was a team that started 5 future pros and had another 5 on the bench (yes, most were euro league). That was not a fluke of success.

I keep thinking back to '07 when VCU's renouned pressure D forced a young Paulus into a 4-6 Assist to Turnover ratio during an early NCAA exit. Thing was, Bradley played VCU at VCU about a month before that game. VCU kept turning up the pressure, but we kept pulling away. I'm certain we would of beat Duke that year, too.

Now, the teams are much different, and I am scared of what Duke might do, but if Duke is relying on some younger guards without Scheyer, with our senior guards, we may be able to pull something off.

[Bravesfan]

When it comes to losing no excuse is a GOOD excuse, but that doesn't mean they are without truth. I must say also in response, that while Bradley played in the MVC title game on March 5 of 06, Kansas had to play in the Big 12 Tourney the weekend of March 10-12, and found out about their opponent just hours after stepping off the floor in the title game. Now I know Bradley did not know their fate either, but they did have 11 days to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the challenges ahead, as compared to Kansas' 4. Again, certainly not THE reason Bradley won the game, but almost assuredly a contributing factor.

Great points from your earlier post regarding my "they haven't gelled yet" comment. I did not realize that Duke's returnees had all that experience, so I stand corrected on that point.

However, I don't buy this "Kansas had less time to prepare" excuse as a factor in Bradley's win in 2006. I don't believe Duke had 11 days to rest either this past March en route to their national championship! Probably the most overrated and overused excuse in the book when a team loses much earlier than expected.