Big Win Over BC February 15, 2007

Duke Analysis
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 8:11 AM

And how sweet it is! Duke played inspired basketball for 40 minutes and it took a collective team effort in recording a 78-70 win over Boston College, the ACC’s first place squad last night in Chestnut Hill. It completed a season sweep of the Eagles and propelled the Blue Devils back to fifth place at the .500 mark in league play.

The players and the coaching staff were so pumped afterwards – it was a great, great locker room. Very sweet! Even getting back on campus at 5:30 am couldn’t dampen the spirit of the team as the iPods were playing and Coach K delivered a hearty congratulations and bid them a needed day off.


Note from Nut:

Great win.

Few comments.

McRoberts disappeared offensively in second half. Can't consistently win unless he is aggressive scorer.

Henderson, who is a great offensive player and can create for himself, was used to little and McClure, who is a good defensive player, was used too much. I was glad when he fouled out, as there was a period when BC almost caught up that ball was in McClure's hands for three consecutive shots (no points and two missed foul shots). He was player least likely to score on floor. Note Henderson successfully took the ball to the hoop when he came in.

Going from an offensive that is in synch and functioning to slow down (playing not to lose) with a big lead was almost disaster last night and in Clemson game and was disaster in Va game that started 4 game losing streak. Not sure why they do it. it's like prevent defense in football. You lose your aggressiveness. Dickie V was all over this on TV. If going to do this need creator like Henderson in lineup.

Z is going to be needed against teams with big lineups. he was good against NC. He will need minutes to get some confidence and play better in games--like Casey Sanders who got minutes when Boozer was hurt.