Dec. 8, 2005
Number 1 vs. Number 2 Duke against Texas! Wow, what a match-up at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to be jealous, eating my heart out watching on the tube. Billy Packer will be sitting courtside, watching two of the nation's premier teams.
Somehow, someway Duke has been able to survive several close scares already this season. This team finds different ways to get to the winner's circle. Just look at the Memphis and Virginia Tech games. It took the miracle 40-footer by Sean Dockery at the buzzer to get past the Hokies. It begins with its leader, Mike Krzyzewski, a magnificent mentor. Just sit with him for 30 minutes and listen to his theories on teamwork and leadership and you understand why the Blue Devils are among the creme de la creme year in and year out.
Duke is coming off a win over Penn on Wednesday night as J. J. Redick and Shelden Williams combined for 44 of the team's 72 points. This is not a deep Blue Devils squad and throughout his career, Krzyzewski has not believed in playing a multitude of people. He believes in using his best and the seven-man rotation is outstanding. A key is keeping Shelden Williams on the floor. Duke had a battle against Indiana's Marco Killingsworth, who put 34 points on the board.
In hooking up with Rick Barnes' Longhorns, the Dukies face a difficult challenge. Barnes has done a phenomenal job bringing the Texas program to national prominence. It is amazing to see what goes on in Austin with the practice facilities, the locker rooms, film rooms, weight rooms, coaches offices -- first class in ever way.
Texas football has Mack Brown and Vince Young and a team chasing the gold trophy with the national championship. The Longhorns have a great hoops program too, and this is the best combination of the major revenue producing sports in America. The Longhorns have an outstanding baseline, arguably the best in America with P. J. Tucker, the underrated Brad Buckman and LaMarcus Aldridge. Both Buckman and Aldridge recorded double-doubles in the recent win over Rice. Aldridge just gets better and better as he has a world of potential. Texas looked like a contender last season until Tucker and Aldridge were sidelined. They are there now.
Texas has a big-time scorer and leader in the backcourt in Daniel Gibson. There is also lots of depth as Barnes has a talented bench capable of contributing in this contest. The Longhorns survived tough competition in the Guardians Classic, beating West Virginia and Iowa to capture that championship. It is a way of getting ready to face a team the caliber of Duke.
The battle of the post will be a big factor. Can Williams stay out of foul trouble against the Longhorn baseline crew? Texas will have to figure a way to defend against Redick. Can they contain him and make him work to get his shots, denying open looks? The Longhorns also have to deal with the penetration ability of Greg Paulus. Texas has to deny access to the lane, where Paulus can dish off to Williams for layups.
The fans in New Jersey will be treated to a game featuring two squads that will be factors come March Madness. This contest should captivate the nation.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
