Duke Fans Should Temper Celebration After Big Win Over UConn

Another early season tournament victory for Duke, and another victory over a big-time opponent are in the books.

But we've all seen that before.

Duke isn't new to winning preseason tournaments, and they are familiar enough with beating the big dogs, or Huskies in this case, early on in a season. So Friday night's win over UConn would be best dealt with in a tempered manner by all.

It is a big victory, as big as any over a program the caliber of UConn, but if the Blue Devils are hoping to forget about their recent history of late season collapses, or early exits from the NCAA tournament it starts now.

In seasons past some Duke fans have gotten inflated expectations based on early season performances just to see their hopes come crashing down.

That isn't to say that this year's Blue Devils will follow that trend, but it may behoove them to keep their expectations in check.

It may be that mentality that has kept Duke from being ranked higher so far this season despite playing as well at times as any team above them in the polls.

This is a much different Duke team after all, and right now no one really can say what to expect out of this group of Blue Devils.

In the last two games alone, Duke has looked outmatched by a methodical matchup zone scheme of Arizona State and at times dominated a clearly more athletic UConn team.

In both games arguably the best player on the team, Kyle Singler, was virtually nonexistent at least on the offensive end.

Yet the poor big, slow, goofy, guys from Duke still managed to win the game.

And while the first inclination for Blue Devils fans might be to gloat, I would suggest a more subdued approach. Wait and see how the rest of the year pans out first. Savor each victory.

It is still early in the season and who knows what will happen so there is no need to get too excited.

That being said, I'm sure it was still a good feeling getting a big time win even if it is early.