Game Quotes

Duke 82    Georgia Tech 70      Box Score

Duke had five players in double figures and each helped Duke advance to tomorrows semi final game in the ACC Tournament.    Jon Scheyer led the Blue Devils with 18 points going 10 of 11 from the free throw stripe but the star of the game was DeMarcus Nelson.

Nelson was coming off a disappointing Senior Day outing and served notice that game was an anomaly.  Nelson had a career high 7 assists to go with 17 points and 9 rebounds.  He had a lot of help from Greg Paulus who played and iron man like game, rarely coming out.  His timely threes helped the Devils keep a lead before Tech made a furious rally where they pulled with a bucket after trailing by 15 points at the half.

The Duke defense kicked in after that flurry and never looked back once they stretched the lead back to ten points.  Gerald Henderson and Lance Thomas chipped in 12 and 10 points as the other two double digit scorers.  ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Singler was plagued by early foul trouble but has a nice block just before a three late in the game.

Nelson had promised a championship after the loss to UNC and the Blue Devils moved closer to that goal.  Unlike last season when Duke lost their first two tournament games, this team seems ready to make a run to the final game.  The Blue Devils move to 27-4 on the season and practically assured themselves of a number two seeding -- possibly better if they win it all.

Duke will face a Clemson team that blew Boston College out of the area tomorrow afternoon. 

Bob Green's take - In the first round of the ACC tournament, Georgia Tech was on fire. They shot 57.9% from the field including going 13-24 (54.2%) from behind the 3-point line. The Yellow Jackets also dished out 22 assists and won the rebounding battle 34-26. Of course, this performance was against a Virginia club that has struggled defensively all season. However, as the old saying goes, "forewarned is forearmed" and the Blue Devils must be prepared to defend the perimeter against the Yellow Jackets.
 
On February 27th, Duke held Georgia Tech to 58 points on 37.7% shooting from the field. Georgia Tech only recorded three assists against 20 turnovers in the 71-58 defeat. Duke recorded 10 assists against eight turnovers and held their own in the rebounding statistic by grabbing 35 to Tech's 37. However, the Blue Devils struggled from downtown going 2-15 from behind the arc.
 
In today's game, I expect Duke to embrace a defense first philosophy. The Blue Devils will focus on shutting down the Yellow Jackets' offense. Duke will look to score points in transition off of turnovers and by executing the spread offense in the half-court. The drive and dish, and pick and pop have served the Blue Devils well this season and they will stick to what works now that it is tournament time.
 
My prediction: Duke 80 - GT 68

Georgia Tech Off vs. Duke Def Duke Off vs. Georgia Tech Def 77.8 Pts F 69.0 Pts A 47.2 FG% 43.3 FG% 31.0 Reb. 33.5 Reb. 84.5 Pts F 75.8 Pts A 46.5 FG% 45.0 FG% 33.5 Reb. 31.2 Reb.

Mark's take - This nest of Yellow Jackets is battling for their lives.  A loss ends their season while a win pushes them towards the NIT.  They have depth and athleticism and played Duke very physical in a recent loss in Cameron.  In one word, they are dangerous and are coming off the best performance of opening day where they throttled Virginia.

In that win, they were quick on their feet and shot the ball very well tallying a bevy of threes.  Duke will simply have to guard all positions in this game and hopefully pressure the backcourt to limit inside touches.  The Devils are rested, but will have to shake jitters and quickly adapt to the atmosphere of a large stadium.  Quite simply, some teams adjust well, while others are bothered by little things like no colored paint in the lane.

Duke has said they are rested and ready and they will need to be to win this tournament and even the first game.  Tech didn't look to worn down in last nights game, again having used it's depth.  I look for Duke to play its depth in this game too and to survive a tough battle.  The pick here is Duke 77 Georgia Tech 69

Georgia Tech drained 13 3-pointers in their 94-76 victory over Virginia. The Yellow Jackets have won four of their last five games and will face Duke in the second round. Mark Bradley, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, says, "I can see Georgia Tech beating Duke tonight." Matt Winklejohn points out that to beat Duke Georgia Tech will need to shoot some free throws. In Tech's earlier loss to the Blue Devils they didn't shoot a free throw for the first 30 minutes. Bryan Strickland points out that Georgia Tech has the potential to win against any team in the league.

Maryland led big early but Boston College rallied to win 71-68. Rick Maese, of the Baltimore Sun, points out that the Terps can go from inspired to insipid without warning. Maryland needed an impressive run in the ACC tournament in order to secure an invitation to the Big Dance. The Terps impressed a lot of people but it was the wrong kind of impression. Maryland blew an early 22-7 lead and allowed Boston College back into the game. Boston College trailed 31-25 at the half. Here is a photo gallery.

Wake Forest dropped their fifth game out of their last six, 70-60, to Florida State. The Demon Deacons shot poorly and fell behind early to the Seminoles. Florida State advances to face No. 1 Carolina in the quarterfinals. The Seminoles have never won two straight games in the ACC tournament. Well there is always a first time.

Miami defeated N.C. State, 63-50, to advance to a quarterfinal showdown against fellow bubble team Virginia Tech. With Miami and Virginia Tech both sitting solidly on-the-bubble, this game should be an exciting affair. N.C. State lost its ninth consecutive game and finishes the season at 15-16. The Wolfpack started the season with high expectations, but News & Observer writer Chip Alexander described the end result as "baffling and bewildering."