Heels Advance, Devils Come Home

Duke's season is over and loss No. 11 in the disappointing 22-11 season was a lot like many of those previous losses. The Blue Devils had a nice lead, lost that lead and lost the game.

Duke is out of the NCAA tournament -- a first-round casualty for the first time since 1996.

No, I'm not shocked. I did think Duke would beat VCU, but I knew that the Rams guards were quick and that quickness bothered Duke. Duke, which had an 11-point lead mid-way in the second half, has had trouble before protecting leads, and they couldn't protect this one.

Duke, a team with very little margin for error, missed 12 free throws, turned it over 17 times -- and at this time of the year, that leads to losing basketball. Duke is going home, the biggest upset of the first day.

By Duke standards, this was a frustrating season. It was apparent very early that this team was somewhat slow of foot, was lacking athleticism and a go-to guy. The expectations are always so high at Duke and it was the past that kept this team in the top 25 most of the year when they really shouldn't have been.

It was a young team though, and everybody returns for next season provided that Josh McRoberts decides to forgo the NBA draft -- which he should. Despite all the projections of him as a first-round pick, he's not nearly ready. He'd look good in airports and filling out the end of the bench, but he could use another year in college for sure.

Duke has work to do if they are to return back to their elite status. I've got a feeling Mike Krzyzewski has already started thinking how to do just that.

Meanwhile, Duke gets to sit back with the rest of us and watch Carolina's quest for the national title.

How about that Eastern Kentucky comeback last night? They got them to within four in the second half? I never thought Carolina would lose, and I don't think anybody else did either. But it made a usually boring one seed against a 16th seed a little more interesting.

UNC had far superior talent, but they can't take turn it over 22 times against some of the competition they'll face as this tournament goes on. I don't think they will.

All the Heels better wear face masks against an aggressive but plodding Michigan State team. Carolina is capable of running around those guys like they're nailed to the floor, but the Spartans will do their best to prevent this, if they can. They will be physical, and the Tar Heels better be ready for that.

Survive and advance. Carolina, despite a 21-point win, was not their best but onward they go.

Duke, on the other hand, couldn't withstand its mistakes, and vacation comes early for the Blue Devils.