Just back from Greensboro where I covered the Duke - George Washington game. I'm writing this blog from home because I can't figure out how to use the computer in our satellite truck.
Well, Duke never let George Washington in this game. GW was indeed quick and athletic, but they couldn't throw it in the ocean standing two feet from it, shooting just 30 percent.
Coach K said that yesterday he felt his team was really ready. He said that because of that he cut practice 20 minutes short because he felt they had energy. He said it was like "OK, we're ready to go." They sure were.
Duke never trailed and unlike Thursday, it wasn't just the J.J. and Shelden show. Oh they produced -- Redick with 20 and Williams with 17 points and 14 rebounds, but the freshmen really came through. Redick said afterwards that Greg Paulus (10pts. & 6 assists) got them started by coming out and playing aggressive basketball, attacking the Colonial defense. He didn't look as tentative or unsure like he did against Southern on Thursday. Josh McRoberts (14 points and 13 rebounds) really played well and with confidence. He's a good ball handler and helped against the George Washington pressure. When he rebounds, Duke is a much better team. Williams doesn't have to do it alone.
GW players said afterwards they had thought this Duke team wasn't as good defensively as in past years, but they said today that wasn't the case. The Colonials' Danilo Pinnock said that Duke forced them into mistakes they usually don't make and making them miss shots they usually make. GW'S Carl Elliott on Shelden Williams who had seven blocks, " He tries to block everything. When you go in there, you better go strong or don't go at all".
It was a good game for Duke and puts them into the sweet 16 for the ninth straight year.
Senior Lee Melchioni told us afterwards that seniors are telling the underclassman this is their last chance at a title. He says Duke is a school of champions and they want a championship. Sean Dockery says you can't really talk about it because you take it a game at a time but that this senior class has seen others celebrate the title and they want to do that badly.
So Duke moves on next week to Atlanta. They'll play LSU. Caught the tail end of the Tigers 1-point win over Texas A&M. LSU's got some good players, but in talking with some Tennessee media who were in Greensboro to cover the Vols and who have seen LSU, they say that they can't beat Duke. We'll see.
By the way, Shelden Williams becomes Duke's all time leading rebounder, surpassing Mike Gminski. And what was with Redick hitting just 2 of 7 free throws? Redick says he was about 8 the last time he shot that poorly from the line.
Well, Duke is moving on. State and Carolina play tomorrow. Last year all three in the sweet 16. Could happen again. Heels and Pack both on WRAL tomorrow afternoon.
