Game On!

[CornellFan]

DUKE.

http://cornellbasketball.blogspot.com/2007/06/game-on.html

[Chris '03]

Is there any source beyond your own blog?

[CornellFan]

There is a reliable source.  If you want to wait to reserve your airline tickets until after Cornell's official announcement (probably later this summer), I understand.

No confirm yet on Syracuse or Minnesota.

[Chris '03]

[quote CornellFan]There is a reliable source.  If you want to wait to reserve your airline tickets until after Cornell's official announcement (probably later this summer), I understand.
[/quote]

I think I'll keep my original plans of watching the BCS Title Game that night for now. (I don't think predicted the Cornell hoops media blitz will be in effect that night...)

If your information is accurate, at least tickets will be easier to come by for those who are able to make it, with the students all home for break.

I really don't very much care who Cornell plays out of conference. There are only 14 games that matter. Once they've won a few Ivy titles, I'll start thinking/caring about non-conference games and NCAA seeding. Until then, if they ever get it done I'll be firmly in the just happy to be there (and watch CU get pasted) camp. For now, the only thing good scheduling gets me is a chance to see the team (lose) on tv occasionally.

[CornellFan]

Right-- the 14 Ivy games matter most.  BUT... here is what Duke does for us....

(1) Prepares Cornell for Ivy play by facing a more athletic team-- good prep for Penn.
(2) Attracts recruits to Cornell because we are willing to play anyone, anywhere
(3) Gives the program more exposure
(4) Improves RPI/SOS for a tournament IF we win the Ivy

Finally, Cornell is in this game to win it.  Not just to visit Durham.  Why not us?

[Al DeFlorio]

[quote CornellFan]Finally, Cornell is in this game to win it.  Not just to visit Durham.  Why not us?[/quote]
Because we don't have the structured, disciplined half-court offense that allowed a Princeton to pull off its upsets and near-upsets against more athletic and talented teams.

[ugarte]

[quote Al DeFlorio][quote CornellFan]Finally, Cornell is in this game to win it.  Not just to visit Durham.  Why not us?[/quote]
Because we don't have the structured, disciplined half-court offense that allowed a Princeton to pull off its upsets and near-upsets against more athletic and talented teams.[/quote]And I don't see the evidence that we have the talent that Princeton had when they were the would-be giant killers. We certainly don't have two NBA players (Jerome Allen and Matt Maloney) like Penn did at their peak.

[Trotsky]

[quote Al DeFlorio][quote CornellFan]Finally, Cornell is in this game to win it.  Not just to visit Durham.  Why not us?[/quote]
Because we don't have the structured, disciplined half-court offense that allowed a Princeton to pull off its upsets and near-upsets against more athletic and talented teams aren't very good.[/quote]

FYP

[billhoward]

>>> Finally, Cornell is in this game to win it. Not just to visit Durham. Why not us?

You have Duke friends who want to wager on the game and offer 10 points, you're going to ask for an even bet? There is probably an ACC crossword puzzle where 7-Down is a four letter phrase meaning "insufferable."

Playing Duke is good for Cornell basketball. It will add a high quality loss to our strength of schedule. Coach K will offer a couple congratulatory quotes and mentione that when Cornell was up 4-2 it was a sign not to take Cornell for granted, which led to the 21-3 Duke run. I'm thinking this is not going to be Miracle on Hardwood.

But, yeah, we can dream.

[CornellFan]

Look, anything can happen.  And the fact is, we actually match up pretty well with Duke.  They don't have an established inside game either at center or power forward.  They are not that big and really not the most athletic team out there.  They should have some crafty players like Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer and Greg Paulus-- but lets face it, Duke was not a great scoring or shooting team last year and they lost their top defensive player in McRoberts.  

Maybe Duke losing to Old Dominion last year was a surprise to you, but I had the upset in my brackets, just for the same reasons why I think we can play with these guys.

I really think Cornell is going to sneak up on a lot people this year-- again if we stay healthy.  We are going to nead a healthy Adam Gore and Jason Hartford for any chance of making a bit of Ivy history.

[KeithK]

It's not like you're arguing that we should beat Duke next year.  You just think the odds are much better than 1 in 10,000.

[CornellFan]

No, I am not predicting a Cornell win.  But I would not be surprised if it was a "respectable defeat."

[BCrespi]

[quote CornellFan]Maybe Duke losing to Old Dominion last year was a surprise to you, but I had the upset in my brackets, just for the same reasons why I think we can play with these guys.[/quote]

Not that it changes your point, but they lost to Virgina Commonwealth, and lots of people, and many experts had that picked.  Duke is clearly a flawed team, for a national powerhouse, and I'm very excited for the game, but not all that optimistic regarding the outcome.

[CornellFan]

It was a typo and thanks for the correction on the proper CAA team.

Point is, VA Commonwealth was able to knock off Duke because of terrific guard play.  

Well, Cornell may not knock off Duke in Cameron, but what we will have quick and talented guard play.

[Josh '99]

[quote CornellFan]Point is, VA Commonwealth was able to knock off Duke because of terrific guard play.  [/quote]VCU was able to knock off Duke because DUKE WASN'T THAT GOOD LAST YEAR.  Whether that'll continue to be the case I don't know, but I thought I'd point it out.