Duke is favored by 5 right now. They were favored by 5.5 vs Bama. The odds makers sure are making it seem like it's close to David vs Goliath. But I digress.
2025 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Discussion
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BoulderSooner
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the thing it Duke is the better offensive team ... but they are also the better Defensive team ..
BoulderSooner
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it will also be very very hard for houston to score
allday92
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To add to this point, Houston has faced three other top 5 offenses this year - Alabama, Auburn, Texas Tech and they lost all three games. Duke has the best offense to go along with a top 5 defense.
Maverick008
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I think Sharp is the key here. When he’s on, it makes Houston a different monster. Uzan has been harder to guard in the tournament. Houston just doesn't get much from their bench and the starters have to play long minutes.
Has hell frozen over? Boulder and I agreeing on something? WOW.
It's very strange the analysis on how Houston will "win" this game. Everyone on here seems to be wishing upon a star thinking it'll happen except the ones thinking Duke will win. It's very, very, odd.
There's just too many variables that reside in Dukes corner to make me think Houston has a chance. Dudes talking about length and "they won't need to score that much." Uh, yeah they will. It's freaking Duke.
Maverick008
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I think the thing is with this group on the board is we all know Sampson will have a defensive game plan that will keep Houston in the game at least is the thought. Then it becomes about the players. Does Houston have enough fire power to hang with what Duke has on the floor. Like I heard on the radio this morning, Houston most likely can't have that 3-4 min stretch of not being able to score and still be leading like they were against Tennessee let alone still be in the game if Duke is clicking. A lot less margin for error in this game offensively for Houston. Can they win? Sure, they can, but will they be able to if they can't score consistently is more of the question.
WTSooner
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Eff it. They shouldn't even play the game. Houston can't win. Somebody might get hurt. Crazy to even play it.
sanguinetti
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there have never been upsets in the final four.
however, while I am pulling for Calvin Simpson his record in the Final 4 is not great. losing to Mike Davis, and get whooped by Baylor. I did have a laugh going over his tourny record, 2022 UH loses to Nova in the round of 8, 50-44.
Kelvin almost had Jay Wright where he wanted him. lol.
I was looking back at Villanova wiki......saw familiar names. Ed Pinckey.....he was a good player. I liked him. in that early ESPN big east thing.....I also liked Gtown's Sleepy Floyd. he was smooth. I tried to pattern my JV varsity team and after school balling at the neighbors......like him. and Johnny Dawkins at Duke from around that era too
mixed success. lol
however, while I am pulling for Calvin Simpson his record in the Final 4 is not great. losing to Mike Davis, and get whooped by Baylor. I did have a laugh going over his tourny record, 2022 UH loses to Nova in the round of 8, 50-44.
Kelvin almost had Jay Wright where he wanted him. lol.
I was looking back at Villanova wiki......saw familiar names. Ed Pinckey.....he was a good player. I liked him. in that early ESPN big east thing.....I also liked Gtown's Sleepy Floyd. he was smooth. I tried to pattern my JV varsity team and after school balling at the neighbors......like him. and Johnny Dawkins at Duke from around that era too
mixed success. lol
WichitaSooner
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They also beat Texas Tech. And we were told by some on the board that their November losses to Auburn and Bama meant they’d likely have issues against the SEC. Someone forgot to tell Tennessee
Everything on paper says this game isn't close. Could OU win the SEC in basketball? Sure, they can. But will we ever care as an athletic department enough to put the funding into the sport we need and get the players we need? That is the question.
Tennessee doesn't have the horses Duke has. None of those teams have the horses that Duke has. But hey man, keep on comparing Auburn, Bama (which Duke beat by 20 and it wasn't even that close) and Tennessee to Duke. WOW. This place sometimes.
cmdsooner
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Tech played that game without Darrion Williams or Chance McMillian & only went 6 deep. Also in the other Tech game that Houston lost, JT Toppin got ejected on a horrible call about 4 minutes in. Doesn’t take away from how good Houston has been in this tournament, just providing context.
Even with all that. None of those guys are as good as Malauch or Flagg. Or as tall as those two. Williams and Toppin are 6'8 or 6'9 (same height as Flagg) at best.
cmdsooner
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Williams isn’t even that tall. He’s listed at 6’6”, 225, which is zero inches and 5 pounds bigger than Duke’s starting point guard
Yeah. It's not good man.Williams isn’t even that tall. He’s listed at 6’6”, 225, which is zero inches and 5 pounds bigger than Duke’s starting point guard
WichitaSooner
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I do think there is a chance the NCAA just goes ahead and gives Duke a bye into the championship game. No need to risk injury when the game is a mere formality.
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