11/18---Duke Trounces UNC-Greensboro 84-39

My first day using Inside Access. Yes, I gave in and registered which puts me back about 100 dollars for the year, but I couldn't help myself. It was great to listen to the game and it really gave me a better feel for the flow of the game. My only problem was awful sound quality and times when the broadcast would shift to some ESPN radio show. For that much money, you'd think this would be better, but it's so much better than I'm used to so I'm thrilled. My ears may not be so happy though. Awful static, really.

As the final scoreline indicates, Duke completely outmatched the Spartans from the opening tip. They only gave up something like three field goals in the entire first half. Much of the same defensive intensity continued during the second half, with a little lapse somewhere at the beginning of the half. Still, it's definitely not something to complain about given the superb defensive showing by the Devils today. Obviously, as everyone is quick to point out, the quality of the opponents haven't been that great thus far, so the great defensive showing needs to be somehow peppered by realistic expectations as the competition level rises. Still, one has to be impressed with the sustained defensive effort during the game. As the game was slowly coming to an end, Brittany Mitch made two great steals and converted them for layups. That kind of intensity is impressive, given how huge the lead was and how they probably could have sleep walked through the rest of the game and still won.

Offensively, I feel like the Devils started the game a little sloppily once again. It didn't take too long for the posts to start hitting their shots and I ended up actually quite impressed with the offense. Three-point shooting was quite painful, but I was pretty pumped when Bridgette and Joy hit some and Emily drained two of them. I did mention during the post about the last game that I wanted Emily to hit those and she did (along with some other excellent things, I might add) which made a huge difference in the game. I think they actually doubled her one time down the floor. The 3 pt percentage was bad, but, again, everyone needs to remember that Abby and Wanisha are not in the lineup. Another thing to remember is that we have (according to Coach P) four stud posts who should be getting the ball everytime. It's quite apparent that the game plan is to not rely on three point shooting anymore. This may change when Abby gets back, but from listening to Coach P, I feel like she'd prefer they pound the ball more into the post at all times.

Several players had stand out games. Krystal and Chante were monsters down in the post once again. Krystal is super talented and it's pretty neat to think she'll just continue to improve in her next four years at Duke. Yes, this freak of a player is only a freshman. Happy days are sure to stay at Durham. I also loved Emily today. Now, she hit those shots which I absolutely went crazy over but her assists (7) were even more impressive. Brittany was equally as impressive. Try these on for size: 7 steals? 11 pts? And this is from a player who rode the bench pretty much all of last year. She's playing with a purpose and it shows with her hustle and intensity. Although, I will have to point out that sometimes it is exactly this that gets her into trouble with some errant passes and turnovers. Regardless, it seemed like every time she was in the game on defense, she would always somehow be in on the disruption of a play. That is invaluable, no doubt about it.

Once again, everyone who suited up scored. That's a great stat right there.

Top 5 Scorers:
Krystal Thomas--20
Chante Black--17
Brittany Mitch--11
Joy Cheek--11
Jasmine Thomas--8

Top 5 Rebounders:
Krystal Thomas--10
Carrem Gay--7
Chante Black--5
Karima Christmas--5
Joy Cheek--5

Top 2 Assists:
Emily Waner--7
Mitchell, Mitch, Jackson, Cheek--2 each

Top 2 Steals:
Brittany Mitch--7
Carrem Gay--5
*Special note--All Blue Devils apparently recorded a steal!

Top Blocks:
Krystal Thomas--2

Team Comparison:
FG%
Duke 46.6% over UNCG 23.3%
3 PT %
UNCG 28.6% over Duke 26.3%
Rebounds:
Duke 44 over UNCG 30
Assists:
Duke 17 over UNCG 7
Turnovers:
Duke 20 over UNCG 38

* And free throws actually fell today. Good job.

Worrying Stat of the Day:
Well, I guess I'm going to have to nitpick a little and say....turnovers. It's going to have to get a lot neater for them to win against tougher competition. Still, when you're forcing 38....it's really a nitpick.

Attendance:
5,534 at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Next Game:
Paradise Jam at the Virgin Islands: Thursday, November 22 vs. Purdue

*Coach P said that Wanisha and Abby are day to day, with Wanisha being in a better position right now. Now I'm beginning to think that Abby won't play Paradise Jam at all, which would suck against UConn/Stanford right? Wanisha actually dressed today. I think she'll be good to go for Purdue but I don't think that the team will use her unless needed yet just to be on the safe side.

Let's go DUKE!!