Tudor: ‘State’s Game to Lose’

06-07 Basketball General24

Caulton Tudor predicts that State beats Duke if Engin Atsur can play 32 minutes on Thursday.

“I think that this is State’s game to lose”

I like it!

You can listen to Tudor’s comments by clicking here. The N&O is doing a fantastic job using convenient multi-media options on the internet.

JP Giglio does a fantastic job with that blog. Fantastic job! But, I have to provide a tiny bit of correction/clarification related to his conversation with Tudor.

In his conversation with Tudor he commented that in light of Duke’s romp of State in January that it is hard to imagine that Gerald Henderson’s absence means that much since he only scored 8 points in Raleigh. Giglio is right. It isn’t just Henderson’s presence. It is the presence of Engin Atsur that significantly changes the equation. Atsur did not play in the first match-up of the teams.

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06-07 Basketball General

24 Responses to Tudor: ‘State’s Game to Lose’

  1. bTHEredterror 03/07/2007 at 9:55 PM #

    A chance to strike at the dookies minus their best athlete on national tv. Almost seems like we’re setup too good here. Great point about Atsur, but the other two guys who didn’t show up (though they played) McCauley and Grant, will certainly play better tomorrow. Especially since Gavin shouldn’t have to be the primary ballhandler, and can focus on his offense. I hope we have one of those freakish shooting nights a’la VT in Raleigh, seems like we are due for one.

    Looks like the Pack has the best (not easiest) road they can travel to a possible finals in Duke, UVA and maybe VT all seem beatable, but we probably need UNC and Maryland to fall for our 300/1 miracle to happen.

    Maybe FSU can use the geographical advantage to pull off a shocker or two. If they do, Thornton will be just as tired as our guys Sunday.

    Hell, I might as well wish for world peace too while I’m at it.

  2. Rochester 03/07/2007 at 11:22 PM #

    ^So what you’re saying is, we’ve got them right where we want them.

    I get a little nervous when the press starts picking us for the win. Brings back bad memories, like when everyone expected us to beat the Heels last year. But this seems like the perfect first-round matchup for us. And if we get another shot at the Wahoos, well, they won’t beat us three times.

  3. jamieinkorea 03/08/2007 at 6:38 AM #

    Everyone better knock on wood. Coach K’s a monster in the ACCT. I’ll be praying for a miracle.

  4. Texpack 03/08/2007 at 7:21 AM #

    I thought all along that this was the worst possible match-up for us because of Duke’s defense. We have to get big inside games from B&B. Courtney Fells shooting and defense will determine how far we go this weekend.

  5. Rick 03/08/2007 at 8:39 AM #

    I think it is one of the best matchups for us. They are just so unathletic especially without Henderson.
    If Atsur handles Paulus constant arm checks then we have a good chance to beat them.

    As a note I am still mystified that Paulus gets away with the way he plays. He plays the entire game with his arm sticking out pushing on the other player. He does it on offense and defense and never gets called for it.

  6. ncsubch2000 03/08/2007 at 9:06 AM #

    Does anyone else agree that this type of situation (low seed, not really any outside expectations) is when State teams do their best work? Hopefully, Sid and TOB can change that (we would be favorites), but I’d take it this season.

  7. roandaddy 03/08/2007 at 9:17 AM #

    ^^best work? No.. it just seems every year under Herb was low seed, low expectations. Its the classic underachievers

  8. redfred2 03/08/2007 at 9:22 AM #

    Atsur will draw attention to Paulus’ hand checking and pushing by continually slapping his hand away. But no matter how obvious it becomes the ACC officials aren’t going to make the call.

  9. Texpack 03/08/2007 at 9:35 AM #

    The hand checking and clutching and grabbing really neutralizes our athletic advantage. That is why I don’t like the match-up. IF, by some miracle, the assaults by the Dookies were to be called and they were forced to play legitimate defense it might be a different story. I’m just happy to see “Tournamenttime.”

  10. Pack84 03/08/2007 at 9:38 AM #

    I have a feeling this weekend you’ll see tons of whistles blown. As much bad pub as the Hansblo / Henderson situation created it isn’t likely that a great deal of contact will be allowed. I think this significantly works to our advantage.

  11. TNCSU 03/08/2007 at 9:42 AM #

    Pack84, I think you are correct. These games will be called tighter, but with Dook, who knows what that will mean. I actually think we may want to speed up the tempo at times to get GG and Courtney in transition. The only player they have that can match up is possibly Nelson. Also, Horner needs to shoot the ball!

  12. redfred2 03/08/2007 at 9:45 AM #

    Pack84

    Good observation, though it could be good for us, it also could be bad regarding the depth issue.

  13. redfred2 03/08/2007 at 9:47 AM #

    I agree with what Texpack said earlier, Fells has to play basketball. He cannot do his disappearing act this weekend.

  14. Gene 03/08/2007 at 10:00 AM #

    I worry about this game simply because it is in Florida and we have approached games in Florida like our first priority is going to Disney World and if we get around to it to play some basketball.

    Duke won’t beat themselves. We need to have a good all around game. I just hope we can rebound well tonight because when we do rebound well we win. When we don’t, we lose.

    Section Six has a good break up about rebounding, worth reading.

    We can win this game, which doesn’t mean we will. I’m hoping for the best.

    GO PACK!

  15. RickJ 03/08/2007 at 10:14 AM #

    This is probably crazy but I don’t like the fact that Henderson is not playing. Teams seem to be able to pull together in situations like this. I would rather he was playing and getting booed every time he touched the ball – It might get in his head.

  16. wufpaxno1 03/08/2007 at 10:46 AM #

    Henderson or no Henderson, the key to this game is Atsur, Redick feared him above all other ACC defenders and I think that if he can handle Paulus in the same way we win this game. We need to jump on them early and then not let up at all because they will not quit. No matter how much they may get down Duke will keep on swinging, just ask Psycho “T”.

    But I feel really good about our chances. I am getting pumped, I think we owe the Dookies one as well as the Hoos. If we get back this seasons loses to those towo teams I will be happy, maybe not completely satisfied, but Happy!

    Go Pack! Its Tourney Time!

  17. CaptainCraptacular 03/08/2007 at 10:55 AM #

    Off topic, but good article on the 87 State title team here:
    http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030707aaf.html

  18. burnbarn 03/08/2007 at 10:57 AM #

    I think this will be a very tight game and if we are shooting well, then I think we can win. Dook has good players at every position.
    I think our guys want to show we can play a better game against them that we did here in Jan. (we really didn’t show much in that game)

    I hope we can win.. I like us if we can score 70+. I like Dook if we score fewer.

  19. packbackr04 03/08/2007 at 11:46 AM #

    i am scared… K always has his guys ready to play come March… you have to give it to the guy.. even when he has a down year, his kids are ready in March….
    ps- i use the term “down year” lightly

  20. WolfPup35 03/08/2007 at 12:24 PM #

    With Engin in the game, the ‘Pack will simply NOT have 20+ turnovers like they had in the first game vs Dook. Without Henderson (31 pts last 2 games) K will have to play Lance Thomas (who??) and according to some friends of mine, Nelson is nursing a sore hamstring. McCauley and/or Costner will probably have a huge game, and look for State to try to get McWhiner into foul trouble early. I agree with Tudor…State by 4.

  21. McPete 03/08/2007 at 12:44 PM #

    I really think Duke will try to be aggressive and get to the foul line and get Costner and McCauley on the bench with foul trouble. If the refs call it loosely, Duke will disrupt our offense with over-aggressive (fouling)defense. If the refs call it tight, we could have serious problems with the bigs. But two wildcards on our team are Fells and Grant. Fells HAS to hit shots and Grant can’t get out of control and turn the ball over too much. Keep it in Atsur’s and McCauley’s hands on offense. And don’t let Duke’s three point shooters get wide open looks (perimeter defense has been a big problem in our losses). All in all, it’s gonna be an interesting and, I think, close game.

  22. McPete 03/08/2007 at 12:45 PM #

    State by 5.

  23. redfred2 03/08/2007 at 2:13 PM #

    McPete

    We have to make crisp passes around the perimeter and not allow, or force, Atsur to carry the burden. We’ve come out looking great passing the ball before, and then somewhere during the course of the game we go totally away from it, leaving it all up to a the key component who is also playing injured. We can’t afford that. Atsur has to be a part of the movement on the offensive end, but when we start sagging back and forcing all of it on his shoulders, he looses his effectiveness on both ends. We need him to have the legs to play D throughout and make crucial shots late in game. He can’t do that by expending twice as much energy on the offensive end as the other four players out there combined.

  24. PapaJohn 03/08/2007 at 5:18 PM #

    I agree w/ RickJ. I can see Coach K making this game a “cause” game. “Cause” Henderson got treated badly. I’d rather have them at full strength. Plus I can see K going into high gear to prove that he’s still the dominant ACCT team he has been for years, and that he can win four straight.
    Come one Sid, win another one for the jacket!!!

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