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March 23rd, 2010
by Shawn Siegel
Mar 26 2010 - 9:27pm
Kyle Singler
#1 Duke Blue Devils
RPI 3rd
#4 Purdue Boilermakers
RPI 9th
Vegas Odds: Duke -8
How Duke Got Here: Duke 68 - California 53
How Purdue Got Here: Purdue 63 - Texas A&M 61
Why Watch? For all the talk about Duke not deserving a #1 seed, they've certainly played like it, winning their first two games with ease. Purdue, despite being a 4 seed, has surprised most by getting this far. The #2 offense in the country against the #4 defense makes for a good chess match.
Why Purdue will win:
Despite all the Robbie Hummell talk, Purdue has still worked their way into the Sweet Sixteen. The formula is simple: Chris Kramer provides the grit, E'Twaun Moore provides some scoring punch, JaJuan Johnson controls the paint, and the rest of the team plays solid defense.
Boilermaker to Watch:
Chris Kramer, G - 7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg
Simply put, without Kramer's 17-point effort (not to mention his leadership) against A&M, the Boilers would have lost by 10. Against Duke, only having 2 players score will not cut it, and either Kramer or Keaton Grant will have to provide consistent scoring punch.
Why Duke will win:
People railed against Duke's #1 seed, but this team has earned it every step of the way. The #2 offense, the #3 defense, the #12 SOS, 3rd in the RPI, a 31-5 record, and 14 wins in their last 15 games. What's not to like?
Blue Devil to Watch:
Kyle Singler, F - 18 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg
The stat-line looks pretty good, but Singler's season was somewhat disappointing to due to weak shooting %'s and an overall lack of dominant play. If Duke hopes to overcome the Boilers 4th ranked defense, they'll need Singler to not just be good, but to be the great player many think he can be.
How it will go down:
Duke hasn't been past the Sweet Sixteen since 2004, so you almost expect them to choke here.. but I think this is a rare underrated Duke squad that will win by a score line similar to the Cal game.. something like 70-58.
Betting Pick: Duke
Real Pick: Duke
Who Will Win?:
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Comments
Duke V Purdue
The decision here may come down to how the game is officiated.
Both teams play solid defense, but Purdue relys on a grabbing, smacking, bumping physicality that was allowed through much of the Big ten season.
Both coaches are solid, K relys on his reputation, Painter complains non-stop to the zebras.
If the game is called close, Purdue may be in foul trouble early.
That is a good point, Duke
That is a good point, Duke isnt the type of team that wants to make it a scrum.
re:Duke V Purdue
Seriously? Painter is the coach in this game who will complain the most? Coach K will be quiet as a church mouse on the sidelines I am sure.
You are mostly correct. Touch fouls on Johnson could take Purdue out of the game early.
Dook will win
I am not a Dook fan...I hate them. But I have seen the way Purdue plays...cheap and dirty. I hope the refs call that crap! I can't wait to see Dook stomp them.
Purdue Hustle - Boiler UP!
I am not saying Purdue will win, but Purdue is not cheap and dirty. They hustle, scrap, claw, dive for balls. They are a hard nosed team predicated on defense. Whoever says that is dirty doesn't know College Basketball. Chances are Duke will get the calls because they always do.
You can't tell me that Coack K. doesn't work the refs. What game are you watching whenever Duke plays.
Painter is a good young coach who has always emphasized defense first which sometimes affects the offensive end.
Go Boilers! Go for the underdog not the team like Duke that is always there.
nInOMfNpbFMkNbSDOhm
YMMD with that asnwer! TX
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