From: whg@acpub.duke.edu (WILLIAM GAY)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college
Subject: Duke Blues
Date: 26 Jan 93 22:42:49 GMT
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

Wow, now that Duke has lost a few all us Dukies are real quiet and the
net has moved on to bigger better (or should I say Tender Tastier)
topics.  I can't say as I blame them.  Duke isn't doing anything to
catch anybody's eye right now.  But consider:

1988-89:
Preseason #1, Ferry hurts back and team drops consecutive games to UNC
at Cameron, at Wake, and at GaTech.  See-saw through remainder of
regular season between #12 and #6.  Late season loss to Arizona in
Meadowlands.  Acc tourney final loss to UNC.  NCAA tourney bid as a
#2 seed.
                Synopsis: A team struggling to find consistency who
                        few gave much of a chance to do anything.
                Result: Beat #1 seed G'Town to get to final 4.

1989-90:
Preseason #14 (approx).  Loses both games to UNC.  Loses to Ga.Tech
in the semi's of the ACC tourney.  Phil Henderson calls teammates
"quitters".  Team enters NCAA tourney as #3 seed.
                Synopsis: Grave questions about this team's ability
                        and focus.  Lack of a real leader.
                Result: Beat #1 seed UCONN on Laettner's overtime
                        shot.  Beat Arkansas to reach final.  I

                        can't remember the rest...

1990-1991:
Preseason Top 5.  A good season.  Consistent play with regular
season sweep of Tar Heels.  A few tough road losses, but a solid
team.  Then ACC tourney championship blowout at the hands of UNC
drops devils to a #2 seed.
                Synopsis: Solid final 4 contender which had just
                        suffered a major blow to its confidence.
                Result: Breezed through region, surprised #1 UNLV
                        and captured title over Kansas.

1991-1992:
Preseason #1.  Great team, solid season.  Key factor was injuries.
Early season ankle sprain for Parks halted a strong start and hurt
the freshman center for the rest of the year.  Hurley's broken
foot probably cost Duke its undefeated season and severely altered
team chemistry.  Grant Hill sprained his ankle as soon as Hurley
returned, but was ready for the ACC tourney.  Brian Davis sprained
his ankle in the national semi and was a non-factor in the final
game.  Through this Duke lost only 2 regular season ACC games, won
the regular season and tournament conference titles, and remained
#1 throughout the season.
                Synopsis: Heavy fav to repeat.
                Result: Poor play against Seton Hall and Kentucky
                        made for scares.  Abysmal 1st half vs Indiana
                        made us wish Kentucky had won the previous game.
                       Second halves against Indiana and Michigan
                        were the only times the team played well.
                        Tournament championship very nearly slipped
                        away last year from the best Duke team in
                        the Coach K era.

1992-93:
Preseason #4.  Solid team with several stars.  Lacking depth, proven
pure shooters or inside players.  Basically a team that can run.
Losses at Tech and Florida State are typical conference road losses.
Home loss to Virginia a more serious affair, but it had to happen.

Predictions?  Anyone?  What will the rest of this season's script
read like?  Here is my prediction based on Duke's apparrent
proclivity for conference induced swoons followed by solid tournament
play:

Duke swept by UNC, loses total of 5 ACC games, finishes in top-3 in
conference.  Tourney loss, #2 seed in NCAA.  Guess what?  Final Four
again ! Championship?  I wouldn't say that.  I won't even put them in
the finals.  But if Duke doesn't make the final 4 again, I will eat my
hat.  The one with DUKE written on it.  And Curtis Hill can send me
a CAROLINA hat to covet and treasure...

-Will