Well, it's game day! Can the Colonials shock the nation and become the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1? We will see in a few hours!
A few keys to the game if RMU is to have a chance.
One, the guards have to play near flawless basketball. It's the one area of the court that RMU can play with Duke IF all are shooting and playing well. They will need to make their share of three's as well. While Duke is one of the elite offensive teams in college basketball, they aren't nearly as good on the defensive end. RMU will have their chances, and they need to take full advantage.
Defensively, turnovers will be key. RMU will need to force a lot. They also need to avoid foul trouble, and with Jahlil Okafor on the block, that will be no easy task. Fronting him and making it hard for him to get deep post touches will be key. He will get his points, but the Colonials can't let him foul out their bigs.
If you ask me, and I'm not nearly as qualified as Andy Toole so who knows if this is really a good idea, stopping Okafor should not be the game plan. He's just too good, too big, too skilled. RMU needs to let him get is, but focus on the Duke shooters and wings. Okafor, and Duke are at their best when Okafor can use his elite passing abilities to find his shooters, and Duke has plenty. It's very difficult to double the big man consistently.
Kavon Stewart has be up to the task. He was excellent in the NEC tournament, and average in the First Four. RMU needs the semi-final against Bryant version of Stewart. Flying about, making plays, getting to the rim causing havoc. It would be huge for his confidence if he can make a few early shots.
Marcquise Reed, Rodney Pryor, and Lucky Jones need to be great. Not good, great.
Enjoy the moment, nothing to lose!
A few keys to the game if RMU is to have a chance.
One, the guards have to play near flawless basketball. It's the one area of the court that RMU can play with Duke IF all are shooting and playing well. They will need to make their share of three's as well. While Duke is one of the elite offensive teams in college basketball, they aren't nearly as good on the defensive end. RMU will have their chances, and they need to take full advantage.
Defensively, turnovers will be key. RMU will need to force a lot. They also need to avoid foul trouble, and with Jahlil Okafor on the block, that will be no easy task. Fronting him and making it hard for him to get deep post touches will be key. He will get his points, but the Colonials can't let him foul out their bigs.
If you ask me, and I'm not nearly as qualified as Andy Toole so who knows if this is really a good idea, stopping Okafor should not be the game plan. He's just too good, too big, too skilled. RMU needs to let him get is, but focus on the Duke shooters and wings. Okafor, and Duke are at their best when Okafor can use his elite passing abilities to find his shooters, and Duke has plenty. It's very difficult to double the big man consistently.
Kavon Stewart has be up to the task. He was excellent in the NEC tournament, and average in the First Four. RMU needs the semi-final against Bryant version of Stewart. Flying about, making plays, getting to the rim causing havoc. It would be huge for his confidence if he can make a few early shots.
Marcquise Reed, Rodney Pryor, and Lucky Jones need to be great. Not good, great.
Enjoy the moment, nothing to lose!
