It has been a while since we have updated this space, but its been a busy winter and the snow, well, that is my excuse anyway. Speaking of using snow as an excuse to bail on a commitment, I give you your 2013/2014 Duke Blue Devils! While canceling the game was the right a call at the time, I question how it got to that point, but that is black ice over 15/501 at this point…I kid, I kid. Anyway, no better way to kick off the first of two (potentially three) brutal nights for me than chronicle it here for thedustin to read (and JohnnyH if he knew about the site).
Before we begin, I thought it would be fun to give you my three most memorable UNC-Duke moments…
1. Jerry Stackhouse Under the Basket Tomahawk!
(Just for fun, remember when he fought now coach of the Suns, Jeff Hornacek?
2. Marvin Williams Put Back to Beat Duke in 2005 on the way to the National Championship!
(Underated was the 9 point comeback with less than three to play. People forget May was unstoppable the last month of that season.)
3. Matt Doherty gets up in Chris Collins’ grill!
(This is great for so many reason, A) I took my father to the game, B) the elbow by Dahntay Jones is a reminder of what a dirty player he was, C) Doherty unhinged because he probably knew he was done at UNC, D) a mediocre UNC team pulled out the win and represented one of only two wins over Duke while I was at UNC)
There are so many more moments to choose from and every UNC fan has their favorites, but it’s time to see if tonight’s game adds to the legend. Given that it’s UNC-Duke, the odds are likely it will.
9:02 – In the opening montage some guy just painted a picture of the rivalry while narrating…gotta love Raycom!
9:03 – Brando and Bonner, I am sure there is a joke in there. I am bummed we don’t get Billas since ESPN is blacked out. (Note – it was not blacked out as I would discover later)
9:05 – Had to put the dog upstairs because he freaks out when I watch UNC games and you can only imagine how it is when Duke is involved.
9:07 – Over/under on “8 miles” mentions? I set the number at 3.5
9:09 – Do yourself a favor and follow @DaggumRoy
9:10 – Seems like a good time to JUMP AROUND!
9:11 – McDonald with a big game sure would be nice.
9:12 – A Duke player on their back…huge surprise. Tokoto may be the worst FT shooter I have ever seen.
9:14 – Meeks really needs to work on that lift, he would be borderline unstoppable if he could get could jump higher than my father.
9:17 – Paige splitting the screen is a thing of beauty.
9:18 – PlumThree sighting!
9:22 – Ugh! 2 on Brice. This could get ugly.
9:25 – Not good if Hood and Cook are going to make their threes.
9:27 – That foul was not on Hood – Parker should have 2
9:29 – HUBERT!
9:31 – Oh, I got it now, the hand checking is illegal if you are wearing white tonight. Much clearer now.
9:39 – Honestly, can we just get rid of the charge/block call.
9:41 – I like how they just showed Hood’s 3 pt % as 5th all time at Duke, he has had such a prestigious career.
9:46 – Free Throws…ugh
10:01 – Well, down 7 isn’t terrible considering Carolina has played like crap. Hopefully we have a patented 2nd Half Paige run in store.
10:08 – I may switch to the ESPN broadcast to shake up the mojo
10:10 – Ahhh! Huge mistake, I switch over and they have Boehiem on.
10:31 – And I’m Back! My son had a night terror, I assume he was dreaming about Tokoto free throws. In other news, not much has changed.
10:33 – Really feel like UNC just needs to play hard and keep it close. The officiating is terrible.
10:38 – What a terrible pass by McDonald.
10:43 – Tokoto has improved so much (we will ignore the pass to Hubert in transition). If he cuts his TO down and works on his FTs he could be an All-ACC caliber player.
10:49 – And Roy’s watch comes off….
10:51 – Really terrible officiating on both ends tonight. Hopefully the last 5 minutes won’t be decided by a zebra…
10:53 – Thank you again ESPN for reminding us this is just the aperitif for the new rivalry.
10:56 – Marcus Paige is good at basketball..very good.
11:02 – I am glad it worked in UNC’s favor, but that was a terrible call on Parker, just terrible.
11:08 – Free Throws and Marcus Paige is a man!
11:10 – thlhfdsjhfjkdksljfdsjkldsja;kjfadkl;jfklsjd
11:13 – Carolina Ball!!!!!!
11:14 – Such a great job by Roy tonight, the little things. Putting Meeks in at the end to be able to throw the inbounds deep. Solid job.
11:16 – You just can’t say enough about this team.
That’s all folks. What a masterclass by Roy. This team fights and fights. It’s always a good day to be a Tar Heel, some days are just a touch more special.