TWO DUKIES PICK THE ACC
Volume XV, Episode 3
CRAVING A HOME WIN EDITION 
January 12, 2012

#16 VIRGINIA (14-1) @ #8 DUKE (13-2) (Cameron Indoor Stadium)

Matt's comments in blue. 
Sturtis Caples' comments in white.

TEMPLE OF DUMB DEPARTMENT - - Just to follow up on our Philly phriends, those of you who are not paid subscribers to Two Owls Pick the Attie 10 (14) may not have realized that Temple followed up HUGE on its "statement win" over Duke by losing at home to Dayton by ten.  The Hooters showed their street cred for this one by arriving at the arena via taxicabs piloted by guys who, get this, didn't even speak English.  The Temple ballers also jointly decided to go commando during game action.  By the way, this game was played at Temple's on-campus arena, the Liacouras Center, in front of 5,172.  Sigh. 

AND . . . COMMERCIAL! DEPARTMENT:  One of the best ads on TV right now has to be the Volkswagen ad with all the people mangling the lyrics to Elton John's "Rocket Man."  It's a fun ad and very true-to-life, unlike a truckload of stupid commercials these days.  It also shows that the best car ads are those that have nothing to do with the car, although this spot actually runs the opposite danger - - people probably know this ad, but don't retain any memory of its shaky premise, namely, that the Passat or whichever specific vehicle it is (see?) has such CRYSTAL CLEAR SOUND that you can make out Elton John's often unconventional melodic choices and word emphasis while singing complex words written by Bernie Taupin.  (I wish they would do a sequel with "Levon.")  It doesn't help that the "burning out his fuse up here alone" section is clearly doctored during the key revelation segment, such that Elton's voice is amplified above the instrumentation, and I believe they even slowed the song down a bit.  Anyway, my favorite aspect of the ad has to be the dweeb they hired to "play" the guy driving the car.  The only thing he does is weakly sing the title of the song with a really stupid look on his face.  Meanwhile, his cute blonde SO/wife/hooker blasts out the words, and as a strong bonus, even knocks down the high harmony in the backing vocal part in very good tune.  Then she realizes what the mystery section actually says due to the Passat's ability to cure cancer, repeats it - - and then watch the dweeb.  He's almost out of view at the right edge of the screen because he clearly was not the focal point of the casting crew, but he looks at her as the light dawns, then just turns back to the road after she reveals her epiphany, without any comment or even a facial expression of any kind.  Wouldn't a normal human at least deliver an openmouthed "ahhhhh" in response?  It's really pretty funny - - take a look next time you see this one, which shouldn't be long (it comes on about once every two breaks during NFL games).  Strong ad with a funny aspect right at the end thanks to Mr. Zero.  Maybe his fuse was burned out.     

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE ARE BETTER COACHES THAN DAVE LAMEAO:   Wow.  The Cavs import Tony Bennett, and after a few seasons spent cleaning out the scrubs brought in by his clueless predecessor, he has them back in the Top 25 with a nice recruiting class on the way for next season.  Amazing how that works, isn't it?  Maybe ACC schools should be more selective with their coaching hires, or something.  Anyway, Bennett is doing it with defense just like he did at Washington State, which I find funny since he was a shoot-the-lights out guard (who still holds the all-time Div-I record for three-point shooting percentage at 49.7%, if I'm not mistaken) during his highly impressive college career playing for his dad at Wisconsin-Green Bay.   

WHO ARE THESE CLOWNS?          

Mike Scott, 6-8 SR - - Back from last season's campaign-ending ankle injury with, shall we say, a vengeance.  He's grabbing every rebound in sight, playing excellent defense, shooting almost 80% from the line and just below 60% from the floor.  Hm.  Doubleteam much?  It will be interesting to see if Duke can duplicate the success they had beating Kansas (remember that?) while keeping Thomas Robinson from winning the game singlehandedly.  I guess Miles or Kelly will have to guard Scott; tough assignment.  Duke's defensive strategy begins and ends here. 

Assane Sene, 7-0 SR - - twelfth-year senior is blocking a ton of shots, but as usual, doesn't rebound all that well and can't convert in the post (48.2% FG).  However, you recall last season, right?  This guy KILLS Duke.  Another difficult defensive assignment and tough matchup, this time for Mason Plumlee, one surmises.

Joe Harris, 6-6 SO - - Oh, boy.  The defensive issues for Duke continue.  Harris was the ACC's best freshman three-point shooter, in terms of percentage, since 2000.  The Cravs' SIOMinions don't bother to mention whose mark bested Harris' 41.7%, because that would be too much work for them to type 17 or 20 additional characters and tell us.  It wasn't JW.  Maybe the not-so-great Joe Forte, who was also a  freshman in 2000?  Or they actually meant to type 1990 and it was Kenny Anderson?  Jesus, these SIO goofs drive me nuts.  Anyway, difficult-to-impossible matchup for Duke here.  If you know who's going to check Harris, be sure to e-mail Krzyzewski before game time. 

Jontel Evans, 5-11 JR - - the point guard; gets an assist on 25.4% on UVa's possessions.  Strangely, he doesn't shoot from outside, only attempting six threes this season (and making half of them), but he's a very rugged perimeter defender and will probably be asked to switch off to guarding Rivers from time to time. 

Sammy Zeglinski, 6-1 SR - - Philly kid and all-effort guy, and another very good three-point shooter.  It's a good thing he's not 6-4, or I'd be ready to declare this one over considering Duke's pitiful wing defense this season. 

BENCH?

Yes, but it's not real long since Bennett threw sophomore K.T. Harrell off the team about five games back. 

Akil Mitchell, 6-8 SO - - Scott's backup.  Had seven boards in just 15 minutes in the Hos' most recent affair, a one-point win in Charlottesville over Miami. 

Malcolm Brogdon, 6-5 FR - - relief swingman who isn't shooting that well, but plays strong defense, and collects defensive boards at a higher clip than anyone on the team except Scott and Mitchell. 

Paul Jesperson, 6-6 FR - - ooof, another big guard.  Can Kyle Singler return from Spain for this one wearing a Zafirovski jersey?  Has anyone ever tried anything like this?  Since Dean Smith?    

Darion Atkins, 6-8 FR - - another Scott-type player who isn't really needed for more than spot minutes due to, you know, the presence of, well, Scott. 

UPSHOT:  Virginia has played its last three games exclusively in the 50s (meaning that both teams scored 59 points or fewer, not that everyone was doo-wopping and hanging out at the diner talking about liking Ike), and this will be the proverbial "chess match" where Bennett and Krzyzewski attempt to impose their philosophies on each other's teams.  So, is Virginia's offense better than Duke's defense?  Yeesh.  I'm glad this one is at home.  As noted, containing Scott is priority A, B, C, D, and Z for Duke, because I'm having a hard time seeing them outscore the Blue Devils in Cameron if Scott is kept relatively contained.  

PREDICTION:  Duke, but not by much.  Remember that the Cravs gave us fits at home last season before we pulled away in the second half. 

Duke 62, Virginia 57. 

Please add your comments below, before, during, and after.  Thanks. 



Last Edition: 
Matt 1-0

This Season: 
Matt  1-1 

Last Edition's Score Prediction Margin Variance: 
0 

Last Season:
Matt 52-18
Guests 3-3