Three up, three down
Three reasons why Duke will win the 2006 national title:
1. J.J. Redick. The 6-4 sharpshooter willed the Blue Devils to their 78-76 win over Boston College in last weekend's ACC tournament final, nailing seven of his 11 three-point attempts, including two key trifectas in the game's final two minutes that eventually put Duke in control. When the going has gotten tough, Redick has found a way to get things going just enough to put the Dukies on top.
2. Shelden Williams. Season averages: 18.4 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 3.7 blocks per game. 'Nuff said.
3. Destiny. You saw the Duke-Virginia Tech game (a 40-footer from Sean Dockery wins it at the buzzer). And Duke-BC2 (a prayer at the end falls short as the Dukies take home yet another trophy). From a 17-2 run through the ACC to the 31-point blitz of Texas in December (and people actually have the Longhorns coming out of their region?), this is Duke's year.
Three reasons why Duke won't win the 2006 national title:
1. Tired legs. Their comeback in the ACC tournament notwithstanding, the Dukies looked sluggish down the stretch. All those minutes on Mike Krzyzewski's seven-man rotation are finally taking their toll.
2. Shelden Williams. "The Landlord" was outplayed and outclassed by North Carolina freshman Tyler Hansborough in Cameron earlier this month. A chink in the armor?
3. The zebras. Coach K can't bring his ACC refs with him to the NCAAs. This is the effect that Superman experienced with Kryptonite.
- Chris Graham