Duke is the best that I have seen defensively. I am picking Duke over Alabama primarily based on the significant size advantage at every single position, which allows the Blue Devils to switch on the screens and extend their defensive length to the Tide’s primary 3 point shooters.
An amazing statistic about Duke; they do not have anyone on their roster shorter than 6’5”. Sears and Holloway are 6’1” and 6’2” respectively, and in a lot of instances they will be trying to shoot over long 6’9” to 7’1” athletes. Alabama relies on the 3 more than any team in the country, and I cannot envision them getting 18 threes against Duke.
A totally disagree with this, but I've been wrong before.
I think what you're missing is the Titanic difference in the teams being tested. Duke gave up 93 points to Arizona and it took Flagg 30 points to win. That's the best team they have faced in over 3 months. The adversity has been slim for the Dookies.
Alabama on the other hand, you know who they have been playing? Auburn. Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss.
All five still playing.
UK's last loss was by 30 points to Alabama and UK is not a small team.
For me, Alabama is going to go straight at Duke and make them try to keep up. Duke will be making the more adjustments in this game, but unless Alabama suddenly goes cold, I see the Tide moving on.
