Blue Devils

Blue Devils

Blue Devils

Duke Blue Devils Basketball Tickets - So Good ... Yet So Close

Duke has been doing just fine this year, ranked in the top ten, winning games by huge margins and generally impressing the college basketball writers from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific. But no matter how good the Blue Devils are right now, so long as North Carolina goes without a loss, they'll be considered the No. 2 team in the ACC and, perhaps by some, the No. 2 team in the nation. A win over UNC in the upcoming conference part of the season will turn the tide nicely, but until then, Duke can probably be thankful that they pressure isn't so heavily on them. Here are some of the basics about Duke hoops as we head towards Christmas break.

---Record as of December 22, 2008---
10-1, No. 2 in the ACC, No. 6 in the AP Top 25 Poll

---Key Victories So Far---
Michigan, Montana, Purdue, Xavier

What? Michigan? Yes, the Devils beat Michigan... right before they lost to them. Few people mention that when they talk about one of the only flaws in the year so far for Duke. That they had faced the Wolverines earlier is significant, because, as you can guess, seeing a team multiple times allows for adjustments, so winning the rematch is easier. If Duke got the best of Michigan because they were better prepared the first time, the advantage in that department switched the second time around. But enough apologizing for the Michigan loss. The Blue Devils also had decisive, convincing victories over ranked teams in Purdue and Xavier. Fans who have been purchasing Duke Blue Devils basketball tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/duke-basketball-tickets have gotten to see some good teams, as the schedule was no push-over in the non-conference part of the year.

---Big Games Coming Up---
Virginia Tech, Davidson, Florida State, Georgetown

The Duke basketball team won't get to rest too long, so if you're a Duke Blue Devils basketball tickets buyer, you should take the opportunity to get some relaxation over the holiday break. Duke will have to play VT, Davidson, Florida State and Georgetown as the conference part of the year slowly develops. Davidson is a game that stands out, if only because it features the most adorable little National Player of the Year candidate, his mother in the stands, a North Carolina rivalry and the Blue Devils, one of the most popular teams in the country. Only for those reasons should you try to find tickets at StubHub. For pure competition and AP Poll numbers-based action, the Georgetown game is your best bet.

---Future Prediction---
Finish No. 3 in the ACC, No. 2 Seed in the Tourney, Final Four finish

For some reason I think the Blue Devils will have a tougher time in the regular season than they will in the Tournament- the exact opposite of they way they've acted in recent years. Duke is strong in the backcourt and on the wings, which is a great way to get wins in the Big Dance, but causes some frustration and faltered steps in the long ACC stretch of the season. They'll probably drop at least one of their games to UNC, and another couple to a team like Wake Forest , Clemson or North Carolina State. However, I think this is the year Coach K finally has a Tournament horse that can whinny all the way to Moneytown.

About the Author

Written by Brent Warnken.
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