In Battle For ACC Supremacy, Duke Not Afraid Of The Turtle

Earlier this week the Duke Blue Devils took on the Carolina Tarheels in what many felt was their most important game of the week.  Today they will be facing Maryland, a team that is making a push to dethrone those same Devils from the ACC's perch.

In what is not only the most important game of the week for Duke, it is arguably the biggest of the season to date.  A Duke win would almost guarantee them at least a share in the ACC Regular Season crown, and a top seed in the ACC Tourney.  A loss gives the Terps life and a real shot at making their own push for the title.

The Devils will however be welcomed by the Cameron Crazies at the spot where Dke beat Maryland a year ago by forty one points.

If Duke is going to have a repeat of that performance then they will have to contain Maryland superstar and possible lottery pick in Greivis Vasquez.  Vasquez who has seemed to have been playing at Maryland for ten years now is a senior and would love to get an underdog win at Cameron his last trip in.

In the MMA and Boxing worlds profesionals say that styles make fights.  This statement could be used for this game.

Everyone knows what each team brings to the table.  The Devils have their own superstars, but will try to use their "3 S's" to blow open the game, using height and strength inside.  They may be playing without senior defensive specialist Lance Thomas but that could be a blessing in disguise.  It opens up PT for Mason Plumlee who may be more important to this team in late March than Thomas.

This inside outside play gives the Devils the flexibility to manipulate their offense to hinder Maryland, putting them in bad situations and forcing Maryland into bad match ups.

For Maryland it is simple...It needs to be all Vasquez, all day...But K knows this.  Look for Duke to bend and not break against him.  Expect them to play him tight but force him to make the more difficult shot, while giving up easy ones elsewhere.  If there is one Terp that can beat Duke its him.

This could be a very close game, but I don't think it will be.  Duke is coming off of a key road win at UNC, and will be ready for their return to Cameron.  Expect a strong Duke team to control the boards, the ball, and the scoreboard.