Wahoo Wire

Due to me catching a cold and being drugged up significantly for Day 2, had to skip observations from that day.  They’ll be incorporated into this one.  Sorry.

Day 3, Semifinals

1. Building atmosphere

Duke had A LOT of people at the game…Miami had the players’ families.  Thankfully for them, nobody besides Duke fans actually likes Duke so everyone else in the building was pulling for the ‘Canes.  It was awesome.  Everyone in my section (mostly UVa, some UNC, some Duke fans) jumped out of their seat screaming about something at some point and I made my sore throat worse yelling for joy when Coach K got T’d-up.  This is what March is about…good times.

2. Pregame Tailgating

It was finally a nice enough day out here to see this in full force with the clouds finally parting for at least half the day.  We drove into the parking lot and, when we rolled down the window to pay, you could smell something delicious cooking.  For us hungry people, it only got worse as we walked towards the Coliseum.  I was a bit envious.

3. ACC Fanfest

Next to the arena is building called the Pavilion and inside was this Fanfest thing.  Since the game started a little later and we had more time to kill, we decided to check it out.  They had every possible stupid carnival basketball game you could possibly imagine.  I did one where you sat in a chair that flung you around like a riding bull…only you had to make a shot while sitting there.  It was hard.  They also had a small corner where they had every game system and an NCAA hoops game on it.  Oh yeah, and a rock wall, inflatable obstacle course, and trampolines.  If I was 10, I’d still be in there.

4. Kyle Singler is Duke’s MVP

Everyone needs to stop loving Scheyer because, honestly, he isn’t that good.  He’s a worse JJ Redick.  He can’t play defense and he only gets his shot off when he comes off of three illegal screens by Lance Thomas and Miles Plumblee.  Singler on the other hand is a major matchup problem for teams.  He is bigger than most guards at 6-8, but can move better than most big guys plus he can knock down shots from anywhere on the court.  He has improved on his defense substantially (just ask Jeff Jones) and can pass like a point guard.  Seriously, after seeing him in person for two straight days, I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s really good (He didn’t miss a shot in warmups for 15-20 minutes before Miami).  If he comes back to school next year, you will not be able to get away from him…it’ll be like Adam Morrison in 2006.

5. Jeff Jones, Tournament MVP for UVA

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?!?  He played defense, shot consistently, didn’t turn the ball over, and attacked the rim (did you SEE that spin move he had?).  We saw this weekend why he was an alternate McDonald’s All-American but it begs the question: where has it been?  Why has it taken three years to see this?  I hope this returns for next season because we need steady offense from the outside.

6. Durand Scott is going to be good

The Miami freshman was very impressive this weekend, mostly with his ability to get to the rim.  Like whenever he wanted.  It didn’t really matter who was guarding him; if he wanted a layup, he was going to get it.  Duke even tried double-teaming him and leaving 7-2 Brian Zoubek in the way.  And he still scored.  If he gets a consistent jump shot, this guy could be deadly.

7. “Sink one, score a million” contest

Pretty good, except the kid from Charlottesville was a Terrapin fan.  What the heck?  Who does that?  Also, the guy who got to take the half court shot threw it like a baseball.  Really?  How many half court heaves like that do you see go in?  Everyone should know at this point how to shoot a half court shot (two hands, from the waist).  This guy didn’t even get it to the free throw line.  Pretty pathetic if you ask me.