Print

Mail

wiki links

Duke enjoys rare underdog status in Final Four showing

Mike Krzyzewski seemed to be in excellent spirits Friday. That had something to do with the improved health of Duke guard Chris Duhon, the giddiness that comes with any trip to the Final Four and, maybe, because the pressure this time is on someone else.

Duke has the mystique, the remarkable 10 trips to the Final Four since 1986, the No. 1 seeding in its regional and the label as the standard-bearer for excellence in college basketball. Yet it is No. 2-seeded Connecticut, the team the Blue Devils play Saturday night in the second semifinal game, that has emerged as the team to beat for the national championship.

That is what happens when a team loaded with talent lives up to preseason expectations and demolishes four NCAA tournament opponents on its way to the Final Four, as Connecticut has. Duke has been cast merely as the team that might be good enough to stop this runaway train.

"People are saying we'll probably lose," Krzyzewski, the Duke coach, said. "That's healthy."

It's not that Duke (31-5) has been unimpressive on its way here. The Blue Devils started the season at No. 2 in the polls, behind only Connecticut. They sewed up a No. 1 seeding by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament and have won their four NCAA tournament games by an average of 19 points. The only test came against Xavier in the Atlanta regional final, a game Duke won, 66-63.

A case can be made that the Blue Devils have yet to play their best during the tournament because of Duhon's health problems. He has been hampered throughout the tournament by bruised ribs, but Krzyzewski said Friday that Duhon, a senior point guard, is doing much better.

"We're in good health," Krzyzewski said before Duke practiced. "Duhon is much better than he was at this time last week. He's actually practiced at least half the time this week and he's had contact. So, if we can get through this practice in a little bit, we should be in really good shape. I'm excited about that."

Connecticut (31-6) also had good news to report about injuries. Center Emeka Okafor, bothered in the Phoenix regional final by numbness in his right hand, said that he should not have any problems playing at 100 percent Saturday. He has also had back and shoulder problems in the postseason.

"I'm feeling real good right now," he said. "As far as what I do to get myself ready, I'm practicing full time. I'm just doing my ab routine to keep my back strong and doing my shoulder exercises to keep my shoulder loose."

With a healthy Okafor, Connecticut should have all the pieces in place for another stellar performance. The Huskies get great defense from Okafor, senior leadership from Taliek Brown and explosive offense from Ben Gordon and Rashad Anderson. Anderson, who did not enter the starting lineup until Feb. 24 against St. John's, had 28 points in Connecticut's victory over Alabama in the regional final, and Gordon had 36.

"It doesn't surprise us that we're the underdog," Duke guard J.J. Redick said. "Connecticut has been playing as well as any team in the country, not only in this tournament but for most of the season. They were the preseason No. 1 and have a lot of future NBA lottery picks. They should be the favorite."

But not an overwhelming favorite in a game that has pitted two programs with superb coaches, outstanding records and some notable history between them.
This story has been viewed 2099 times.