As some to-be-determined number of fans makes the miserable trek to northern New Jersey, buzz is starting to build for tonight’s marquee match-up between the ever-obnoxious #2 Duke Blue Devils and the always-charming UConn Huskies.
Both teams are coming off of double-digit wins over less-heralded opponents, and both saw dominant performances from their starting centers, with UConn’s Amida Brimah putting up 40 points and 12 rebounds against Coppin State while Duke’s Jahlil Okafor dropped 25 points and 20 rebounds against Elon.
So it is there that we shall begin. Okafor vs. Brimah will be a key matchup, demanding that Brimah be at his absolute best in every way. Brimah has asserted himself well at times this season, but struggled against Texas, going 1-7 when faced with NBA-caliber big men. Okafor, on the other hand, looks NBA ready right now, and may be on his way to a National Player of the Year award as a freshman. It is crucial that Brimah play smart in this game and, to some degree, contain Okafor. It’s especially important that Brimah not let himself get into early foul trouble, because as much as I don’t think Brimah vs. Okafor is an even matchup, Okafor vs. Phil Nolan is a lot uglier.
Duke’s weapons don’t stop there, as they might have the best starting lineup in the country. I came away from Duke’s games against Michigan State and Temple very impressed with freshman forward Justise Winslow. UConn counters with freshman Daniel Hamilton in perhaps the game’s most intriguing matchup.
Winslow’s NBA potential is obvious. He has outstanding athleticism and an NBA frame to go with a well-developed offensive game. Hamilton is no slouch, and though he might get pushed around a bit by the stronger Winslow, Hamilton has shown a veteran’s savvy in how he attacks a defense, always finding the open man or putting himself in position to take an open shot. Winslow has been inconsistent this season, so it’s possible that Hamilton takes him out of his comfort zone, limiting one of Duke’s most effective attacking players.
The backcourt is the one area that could actually go UConn’s way. With veteran Ryan Boatright and Rodney Purvis, UConn has the quickness and skill to compete with Duke’s Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones. Jones has been the Blue Devils’ primary ballhandler this year, pushing Cook off the ball. Jones is a very creative attacking player with excellent quickness, so it’s imperative that Boatright play the stalwart defense we saw at times during the NCAA tournament last year. In addition, both Boatright and Purvis (as well as Sam Cassell and/or Omar Calhoun) are going to need to make shots. UConn’s offense breaks down when guys can’t hit open jumpers, but if those guys are tickling the twine when they get their opportunities, we might just make a game out of this one.
I’m not going to make a prediction because you don’t want to see it and I don’t want to say it, but let’s just remember than anything can happen, no matter how good your opponent is.
