Duke's Defensive Explosion Defies Definition

It has been said that defense wins championships. If that axiom applies to college basketball, then those who have suggested that the boys from Cameron are set for a run to the final four can no longer be labeled as simply "crazie."

First, the carnage from Saturday: Using motivation supplied by Greivis Vasquez and vehement support from the Cameron faithful, Duke unleashed a ferocious defensive effort that served to force 17 turnovers while holding the Terps to meager 28.1 percent shooting effort.

Shaking the perimeter-oriented label so often applicable to recent Devil squads, this incarnation flexed interior muscle by blocking 12 shots and out-rebounding Maryland to the tune of 56-38. A 40-15 nail biter at the half, Duke extended it's lead despite heavy minutes from it's freshmen triumvirate and finished the day at 85-44.

Nuestra Casa, indeed.

While Duke's work on Saturday was certainly remarkable, it was not entirely out of character for a Blue Devil team that has spent much of this season turning in stellar defensive efforts.

Maryland was the 13th team this season that Duke has held to 60 points or less. Currently rated as the No. 2 team in defensive efficiency and No. 1 team overall by Ken Pomeroy at kenpom.com, Duke will no longer have to be defensive in regards to their place in college basketball as they will likely begin the week ranked No. 1 in both the coaches and AP polls.

As good as Duke's defense has been throughout their schedule, they seem to boost their efforts when it matters the most, in conference play. In facing five ACC opponents, Duke has held each to 58 points or less and has now held a familiar foe to a mere 44 points on two separate occasions having also done so in the ACC opener versus Virginia Tech.

Whether or not their defensive efforts continue to be devilish remains to be seen. With conference contests versus Wake Forest (twice), North Carolina (twice), and Clemson just ahead, the opportunity for serious inflation surely exists.

However, if defense does determine which team will win the 2009 men's basketball championship, Greg Paulus may get the opportunity to slap the floor in a much bigger arena: Detroit's Ford Field.