Duke and UNC fans have been piling into NC Central’s Mclendon-Mcdougald Gymnasium all summer long waiting for a Duke/UNC showdown. Wednesday night, fans from both sides got the game they have been anxiously waiting for when Sheraton Imperial took on Dreamworks. The game started out friendly, but it didn’t take long for the intensity level to pick up as both sides competed hard against each other and didn’t want to give up any ground.
Amile Jefferson was aggressive from start to finish but he struggled from the free throw line, starting the night 0-4. Aside from the poor FT shooting, Amile was awesome on the floor and he wasn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor and take it to the bigger and taller NBA vet/UNC alum Rasheed Wallace. Amile is very intelligent and although he wasn’t able to outmuscle Rasheed Wallace, he used his speed to get around the slower Wallace and blow by him for one lay up after another. Rather than settling for a jumper, Amile put the ball on the floor and went right at Wallace finishing with 15 points on a very solid night.
Rasheed Sulaimon matched up against UNC’s shooting guard PJ Hairston a lot of times last night, giving tobacco road fans a sneak peak at this year’s “Battle of the Blues” backcourt matchup. Hairston used his size advantage to get a couple early baskets in the first half, but in the second half Sheed played very good ball pressure defense on him as he fought through screens to stay with Hairston and pretty much keep the UNC guard in check. On offense, Sheed couldn’t be checked, he stayed aggressive and just missed a few shots I’ve seen him make plenty of times. He scored 8 quick points to start the game and Hairston didn’t guard him most of the game, choosing instead to let quicker teammates pick up his assignment. Even though he also had a rough early going at the free throw line, Sheed finished with 19 points and could’ve easily put up 30 plus if his open shots and free throws fell.
Even though Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson are only freshmen who have yet to play in their first college game, it is a really great sign that they are quick learners and able to make in-game adjustments on the fly. They represented Duke well last night and their coaching staff and teammates should be proud of the two “Diaper Dandies”.
Rasheed Wallace was in both Amile’s and Sheed’s ear all night long, I don’t know if he was giving pointers or just flapping his gums but it did add intrigue to a very exciting night in Durham. The game began with respect from both sides and through all the intensity and trash talk that’s how the game ended.
