Why did Duke receive favorable seed?-Whitlock

• Prescott

  Just one more. ESPN'S Pat Forde.
  
  Best Case: The Blue Devils are back, ending a six-year absence from the Final Four and a nine-year drought without a national title. Aided by a gift-wrapped draw from the Iron Duke Club -- excuse me, the NCAA selection committee -- they breeze through the South Regional........
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2010/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5001177
• reclegend22

  

  Can you say, state of Kentucky homer.
  
  Next.
• georgemc80

  I said it before....a title takes six wins over tournament teams....2 of which were regional champions...you can never diminish a final four appearance or title.
• september63

  

  South Regional.........was real close to this by the end of today:
  
  1.Duke
  2. Murray State
  3. Sam Houston
  4.Siena
  5.Utah State
  6.Old Dominion
  
  You still think Duke got NO favors?
• stroups

  

  september63 wrote: South Regional.........was real close to this by the end of today:
  
  1.Duke
  2. Murray State
  3. Sam Houston
  4.Siena
  5.Utah State
  6.Old Dominion
  
  You still think Duke got NO favors?

  WTF
• september63

  

  I said, real close. Murray State blew that game. Sam Houston hanging with Baylor. Siena is almost favored in that game later. Utah State, not sure. Old Dominion moving on. Other than Duke, it is a very weak region!!!
• stroups

  

  Ummm........ Murray St. is playing and beating Vandy right now in the west region
• swamisez

  

  he meant Robert Morris
• Prescott

  I said it before

  And you were wrong that time as well. Seeding does matter and duke got the magic carpet ride to the Final Four.
• georgemc80

  whoa...be careful throwing that w word around...its offensive. Besides none of the facts used in my post can be considered wrong. If you disagree...by all means tell where I was wrong.
• reclegend22

  

  Yes, because the NCAA Tournament knew Nova would almost lose in the first round. The same for ND.
• Prescott

  you can never diminish a final four appearance or title.

  This is where you are wrong. I rarely use absolutes for obvious reasons.Many things can diminish a Final Four appearance. Just ask Calipari.
  
  In this case the road was paved, which will diminish the accomplishment in the eyes of many.
• Prescott

  Prescott, do you realize how dumb your posts are when you try to take final 4's and taint them?

  Do you realize how dumb you look when you fail to realize that duke got the path of least resistance?
  
  My favorite line about this, courtesy of Pat Forde..
  
  Aided by a gift-wrapped draw from the Iron Duke Club -- excuse me, the NCAA selection committee -- they breeze through the South Regional.
• reclegend22

  

  Who gives a damn about Kentucky homer Pate Forde. It could be argued that Duke has an easier path compared to some others in this tournament. This type of thing is always debatable, however. I might argue that, while the body of the entire region is not as strong as the others, Duke got a pretty stout second round matchup regardless in Louisville.
  
  But to say that Duke's path to a Final Four would be EASY is foolish. The journey itself to Indy is NOT easy. It never is. If the Blue Devils make the Final Four, it will have been just as earned as anyone else.
  
  You are being way too obvious here. You are putting up a defense mechanism here. In that, if Duke reaches the Final Four, you will tell us, "Yes, but I already told you they would, based on these reasons from my head and Pat Forde's -- and others, of course, let me pull up my cut and paste archives." If Duke doesn't reach the Final Four, you can say that Duke's empire has completely crumbled.
  
  Am I missing anything?
• Prescott

  If the Blue Devils make the Final Four, it will have been just as earned as anyone else.

  
  
  I haven't seen or heard anyone on ESPN or CBS claim that a team other than duke had an easy path. Why is that? Comparatively speaking they will probably not be tested like the other finalists.
  
  
  
  I run a small bracket pool involving about 25 avid basketball fans. Kansas and duke are the clear cut choices to make it to Indy, while the other regions are somewhat mixed.We know Kansas is considered by most to be the best tournament team. Why would duke be an overwhelming choice? Because they got a draw that other teams envy. Would coach k trade duke's draw with KU,UK, or the Cuse?? Not if he is as smart as I think he is.
  

  Duke's empire has completely crumbled

  .
  
  Didn't that happen when duke lost to VCU?
  
  BTW, I have duke going to Indy.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  I would easily trade for 'Cuse's draw (assuming of course Duke would enjoy a similar geographic advantage, i.e. play in Charlotte the first two rounds). Again they play two home games in the first 2 rounds, and I'd rather play Kansas St. in SLC than potentially Baylor (and maybe aTm) in Houston. Duke could easily get beat by L'ville in the second round, I don't think FSU/'Zaga have a chance to beat 'Cuse in Buffalo unless 'Cuse pulls a G'town. This is what irks me about the people griping about Duke's draw and got their panties in a wad over Syracuse being sent "out west" (as if that is any different than being sent "down south").
  
  BTW, more people have Kentucky going to the final 4 than Duke in my bracket (about 50 people), in the east some people have WVU, but in the south Duke is still the favorite but there are plenty of Baylor and Villanova picks.
• reclegend22

  

  prescott wrote:Didn't that happen when duke lost to VCU?

  Well, Duke is sitting at 29-5, is the ACC Champion and a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. So I'd say no.
  
  If you're basing it on one year, how would you define Carolina this season? The apocalypse?
• Prescott

  Duke could easily get beat by L'ville in the second round,

  Based on what? UL has been of the more inconsistent teams in this year's field. While they do have two victories over Syrracuse, one of those occurred in the last game played in Freedom Hall and with the aid of a career game by a bench player.Don't forget they lost at home to Charlotte and Western Carolina.
  

  and I'd rather play Kansas St. in SLC than potentially Baylor

  I know Baylor looked good against Sam Houston, but they lost to K-State twice, once at home.
• Prescott

  The apocalypse?
  
  Sounds about right.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  You know you could have quoted the whole point, I'll restate it:
  
  "and I'd rather play Kansas St. in SLC than potentially Baylor....IN HOUSTON"
  
  Ask the 2003 Kentucky team what its like to be a #1 seed and play in a geographical disadvantaged arena (Marquette in Minneapolis).
  
  Duke might have two of those games, against aTm and Baylor, and people in texas don't tend to be Duke fans anyway. You asked a question and I think I answered it fairly. If I'm Coach K I would much rather have 'Cuse's opponents if I got to play in Charlotte and Salt Lake City.
• Prescott

  Ask the 2003 Kentucky team what its like to be a #1 seed and play in a geographical disadvantaged arena (Marquette in Minneapolis).

  #1 seeds have lost almost every tournament and I doubt that the location was the primary factor.
  
  
  

  Duke might have two of those games, against aTm and Baylor, and people in texas don't tend to be Duke fans anyway.

  Your opinion is noted. I happen to disagree. I've heard coach after claim claim they would prefer a favorable matchup to a favorable venue.In fact, OSU's Thad Matta claimed he'd play in Alaska if the match up was favorable.
  
  
  If you guys think I'm the only person who thinks duke got gift wrapped region try googling "duke easy path' and see what you get.
• reclegend22

  

  Manhattan Buckeye wrote:You know you could have quoted the whole point, I'll restate it:

  Ahdonis has been using this trick since about '04. It is quite expected nowadays, unfortunately.
• reclegend22

  

  prescott wrote:If you guys think I'm the only person who thinks duke got gift wrapped region try googling "duke easy path' and see what you get.

  You must remember that not everyone here is as unbalanced as you.
  
  But I do enjoy your pubbing of my team. Thank you, sir.
• Prescott

  You must remember that not everyone here is as unbalanced as you.

  I'm not sure why googling something would make a person unbalance. The proof is there, googling just helps you find it easier.
• Prescott

  ..how in teh hell is that not easier then Dukes draw?

  Ohio State is not a #1 seed, therefore your comparison isn't valid.
  
  Bur, I will play.
  
  Didn't Georgia Tech take duke to the wire in the ACC tournament?? Yes
  
  Didn't Tenn defeat #1 seeded Kentucky during the regular season?Yes
  
  Didn't California get hammered by #1 seeded Syracuse dirung the regular season?(95-73). Yes
  
  Didn't this Purdue team (without Hummel) score 11 points in one half against Minnesota and lose the game by 27 points.Yes