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It's only a game
By Tim Peeler, Special to CNNSI.com Just about the time that the hype machine kicks into overdrive -- admittedly, we're a big part of it -- something happens to keep the world of college basketball in perspective. That's what Gary Williams thought about Saturday night when he heard of the plane crash that killed 10 people associated with the Oklahoma State basketball team. Williams and his team had just suffered one of the most devastating losses of his career, blowing a 10-point lead with 61 seconds remaining against No. 2 Duke. The Terps had been in control throughout the whole game, but fell apart after sophomore point guard Steve Blake fouled out. Not long after he and his players returned to the locker room, practically inconsolable, Williams heard about the plane crash. "We were really feeling sorry for ourselves after the Duke game and then we heard about Oklahoma State tragedy and it kind of put things in perspective about how quickly things can end," Williams said. "It showed us all how much you should appreciate the opportunity to play and how important your teammates are to you. "This is a pretty good jolt for all college basketball players to make them understand that what they have is precious. They are on a basketball scholarship on a great team, you have the opportunity not all people their age have." It's something to keep in mind Thursday, when the first of two UNC-Duke showdowns take place in Cameron Indoor Stadium, a game we in the media will turn in an epic battle, contested by infallible warriors, all of whom are looking for glory and redemption. But it's a game. Just a game, even if it is the best rivalry in college basketball. In North Carolina and around the country, Friday will be a miserable day for fans of the losing team. "I think it's a very good rivalry, but at the same time if you are going to be sad and moping around because a bunch of 18-to-21-year-olds lost a basketball game, you need to get a life and get your priorities in order," said North Carolina senior center Brendan Haywood. "This is a game. First and foremost, it is a game. There is life after it. If that is what you hinge you life on, I feel bad for you. "There is a lot of hype surrounding it, but truthfully, it is just another game. You can't look at it as anything more." And that's what fans of college basketball should remember as Oklahoma State mourns its losses.
UNC-Duke odds and endsThursday's game is the 33th meeting of the two teams when both are ranked in the Top 10. Who holds the advantage? It's a 16-16 tie going into Thursday night. ... It's the first time since 1987 that both teams enter the game undefeated in conference play. ... Since the ACC was formed in 1953, at least one of the two teams has been ranked going into this game 123 of the 126 meetings. He paid for that comment when he went to Cameron Indoor Stadium as a senior, but he has a nicely revised version of why he said it: "I didn't get attention for scoring points. I had to get attention for a stupid quote." The Duke fans are already planning the attention they will give Doherty Thursday, printing up "I said no!" T-shirts that ridicule Doherty for being on a long list of people courted to replace the retired Bill Guthridge last July. Among the names: Roy Williams, Eddie Fogler, Larry Brown, George Karl, Regis Philbin, Britney Spears and Elian Gonzalez. "It's all in fun," said Doherty, who the Crazies like to call "Coach Doh." In fact, three Tar Heel starters -- Haywood, Ronald Curry and Kris Lang -- are at 50 percent or lower in conference games. "We know we have to improve on our free throw shooting," said Haywood, who has hit 40.6 of his free throws this year. "That's why we work on it so hard. At the same time, you look at [that stat] and we are still tied for first in the ACC. What does that tell you about this team?" Perhaps that it won't still be tied for first on Friday? "I think very well the deciding factor could be home venue. What you have is inside strength of one team versus the overall strength of another, the ability to score outside and in transition versus the height and inside prowess of North Carolina. I think North Carolina has something that maybe only Maryland also has: the ability to push out just enough on the perimeter to affect Duke's outside shot, without losing too much with their height around the basket. They have Jericho's wall inside. "But when it's all said and done, the fact [is] you are playing in Durham. Both teams have ample amount of time to get ready for the game. You have to look at it and say it will take a near perfect game to beat them. I do think North Carolina is capable of that." "If he's trying to get extra points in his creative-writing class ..." Battier said. "If it gets him a higher grade, so be it." Lang responded: "Aw. That's cute." Lang expects to be taunted unmercifully Thursday, because he is everywhere else he goes. Opposing fans think Lang's mouthpiece, which gives him a pronounced overbite, looks like a horse. They call him ugly. He's not only used to it, he critiques it. Sunday, at N.C. State, Lang was disappointed at all the horse references. "I'm kind of hurt. They can't think of something else," Lang said of the Wolfpack fans. "Duke fans have a lot more creativity, and I can't wait for them."
Looking for Terp perpsSecurity at Maryland games in Cole Field House has been an issue for years, but now that the mothers of three Duke players were hit by objects thrown by overly rowdy Terrapin fans maybe the school will finally take some action. Maryland president C.D. Mote seemed particularly embarrassed by the reports of the thrown cups and water bottles, one of which hit Carlos Boozer's mom, Rene, in the back of the head, causing a mild concussion. The mothers of Jason Williams and Chris Duhon were also pelted with flying objects. Mote called it "brutish and violent behavior." "Unfortunately, it was not an isolated incident," Mote said in a statement. "When visitors cannot come to our athletic events without fear of assault, of actually experiencing assault, something is very wrong. "What happened Saturday night took the great leap from boosterism to hooliganism that we cannot tolerate." However, ACC opponents have been complaining about the treatment they receive from Maryland fans for years. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski won't even allow his family to go to games at Cole Field House. Yet nothing has ever been done to improve either fan behavior or game-day operations, which are the worst in the ACC. Students are still allowed to throw paper at opposing teams during introductions, making it easier for them to throw other objects during a or after a game. "The worst thing you can do is throw objects,'' Krzyzewski said. "For the most part, we haven't been concerned with other arenas as we are there [at Maryland]. We have had things thrown at us every year." Of course, Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils have never played in Cameron Indoor Stadium as the visiting team. Maryland athletics director Debbie Yow said she is working with campus police to identify the perpetrators. If they can make positive identification, those Terp perps will be denied admission to future games.
Worth notingNorth Carolina's 14-game winning streak is the second longest in the nation. ... Going into Wednesday night's game against Maryland, Virginia senior guard Donald Hand has 18 assists and two turnovers in his last two games. ... So how much difference can the smallest player on an ACC roster make? Consider this: In the six games since 5-foot-10 (Ha!) Archie Miller has been out with a stress fracture in his left leg, the Wolfpack's field goal percentage has plummeted from 50 percent to 37.3 percent. State's three-point shooting has also gone from first in the league to last in the league at 27.0 percent. ... Clemson has given up more than 100 points to four of its first seven ACC opponents.
Tim Peeler covers the ACC for the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record. Check back every Wednesday for his latest CNNSI.com insider.
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