You can never judge how a team is going to play based on their public workouts in the NCAA tournament. Most teams just shoot a little bit but that's never been Duke's philosophy. Coach K feels if you're going to be out there you might as well get something accomplished. The Devils were more active than LSU, Texas or West Virginia in their "practices".
I did notice one thing about the LSU workout. Glen Davis, aka the Big Baby, got a little winded midway through his individual workout. He carries 310 pounds and that's a reduction from the 365 lbs he packed last year as a freshman. Davis has had a year to match his size...BIG!! He was the SEC player of the year and will be a force for Duke to defend. Here's how I think Duke will baby sit Big Baby. First they will pressure the LSU guards to make entry passes more difficult. The Devils will front Davis and have help-side defense as well. If the big fella can pass he'll make LSU better.
The LSU team is extremely young. They start 3 freshmen (I know at this point of the year you're not a freshman anymore) a sophomore in Davis and the lone senior on the team is guard Darrell Mitchell. I give Duke the edge in experience where their 4 seniors have gone 10-3 in their careers in the NCAA tournament. (I know talent beats experience but Duke has that as well.)
I like the Devils against LSU unless a couple of X-factors creep in. Shelden Williams CAN'T get in foul trouble and Duke CAN'T shoot a poor percentage (always an issue in a dome). Atlanta has been good to Duke recently. They won the ACC tournament title here in 2001 and 2 years ago the Devils marched through Atlanta to the Final 4. Good vibes for Duke although there have been some mysterious happenings in this year's NCAA tournament.
-- Jeff Gravley
