Diary of a Madman: UNC/Duke "LIVE"

8:57 AM - Not many events get me this distracted, this psyched, this loopy, this eager at this age. However, rest assured North Carolina vs. Duke is one of the few, if only. And I can understand those who find this to be just another Red Sox/Yankees rivalry machine that was once great, but has since become a watered down media induced event. We can thank ESPN for that one, but let's not take it out on the rivalry itself. You don't need my drumroll or my wisdom...this game is what it is.

And that's why it's barely nine in the morning on the west coast and I already opened the vine on the "LIVE" blogging experience. Just to state the obvious, my allegiance weighs heavy with North Carolina. Hang in there folks...only about 6 more hours until tip-off. Go to HELL Duke!!!

10:52 AM - I'm not gonna lie, this whole notion of Ty Lawson scares the shit out of me. Carolina is an average team at best without him. They haven't been all that "impressive" as of late even with him. However, Q Thomas can certainly not handle the pressure. Shit; why does this happen when they play Duke? Lawson is the key to their National Championship hopes, so burning him down for this game...isn't a great idea. Fuck Paulus.

12:15 PM - I've been trying to contemplate why everyone hates Duke so much and then it just dawned on me. Erik "fucking" Meek, case and point of why people make youtubes "this why Duke sucks" or people write fake journals about J.J Redick. It's just the nature of the beast in all of us to poke fun at such easy targets and trust me...it's not out of jealousy. And funny I should bring up Meek's name as he stands out like a sore thumb. The reason "we" and I mean you and I pick on a guy like Meek is simply for the fact that he is/was a 7 foot doofus that we always questioned as to how he got a scholarship.

Well, that sheds light on my fondest memory of Carolina/Duke. And that was when Rasheed Wallace followed home a dunk over Meek and Cherokee Parks. Accurate reports insist that Wallace told Meek after that dunk that as long as he and Stack were around Chapel Hill, Duke would never beat them.

3:43 PM - I actually scribbled this jargon on a post it note at the office (hence the slight delay). That was in-between my 2nd afternoon cup of coffee. Of course, if the natural nerves weren't enough why not sprinkle some caffeine on the mess? Well, needless to say...I got a call and text messages from a few buddies wanting me to joint them for a few adult soda's to watch the game. My preference, as always is to watch alone. Do I really need to amidst a sea of jackasses while white knuckled and refraining from Coach K on the TV screen. I've done it before and it friggin' hurts, but at least I got a healthy supply of vicodin. Later.

5:21 PM - I picked up a 40 ounce from the store. I'm going to time myself and see how fast I can chug this fucking thing. First things first, I've got to tend to the pooch. She gets a long walk and that should help calm my nerves. I'm not bothering to turn on ESPN right now, because I can't stand seeing that stupid Jeff Capel shot. Do you know the funny thing about that shot is that most people think that was for the win...right? Well, that only sent the game into OT and Duke fucking lost. Back in a few.

6:02 - Worthy to note, this whole thing is going off PST. Thanks. Welcome back, Dickie V. Never thought I'd utter those words.

6:05 - "Q" sighting...and I'm fucking nervous. Let's roll this thing already.

6:06 - Danny Green is dancing...nerves. Paulus...fuck.

6:07 - Hansbrough is on ACID tonight. He's fucking insane.

6:09 - Sit down rat.

6:13 - We're about 4 minutes in, both teams are running on nerves and adrenaline. Danny Green shows a moster block on Nelson, but probably snuck away with a no-call. For whatever reason, Singler is wide open in the corner for a triple. Oh wait, I know why, because "K" is gonna force Hansbrough to guard him on the perimeter. Hence, Singler has an advantage. Clearly Duke is going to back away everytime Hansbrough touches it on offense. We could see a Sean May type night. 20/20 vision. Hmm? Commercial break.

6:15 - This is harder than it looks. You know...live blogging.

6:15 - Excellent point from Mike Patrick, Duke can't rebound against Carolina. Limit the turnovers and this becomes a no-brainer. On cue -- triple.

6:21 - 18-18 at the commercial.

6:23 - I had to take a phone call...hence the lapse. And oddly enough it had nothing to do with this basketball game. Quick observation; DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER! Duke can't win this game if Carolina holds onto the fucking pill.

6:27 - The first official, "I'd kick Scheyer's ass" call of the night.

6:28 - Duke is locked in behind the arc. Of course, every shot is un-contested. That's simply not gonna last. Get a hand in their face. They are NOT going to shoot 70% from deep all night. Mark that.

6:29 - First Dickie V excuse for Lawson. I'm not going there...yet.

6:31 - Duke had better have some fresh bodies, because the fouls WILL be a factor.

6:35 - Free-throws. Carolina can't hit them.

6:36 - "Q" just picked up a tick tack. Followed up by Ellington missing a wide open triple and then Danny Green goes for the under cut. Geez. Things aren't going Carolina's way...at the moment.

6:37 - STOP TURNING THE BALL OVER. The wheels are coming off.

6:38 - Carolina doesn't have anybody who can handle the ball. Hence, they've turned it over to Ginyard. Not that I'm gonna milk the Lawson injury.

6:40 - Duke isn't tough...they're just douche bags.

6:45 - Carolina needs to get the ball into Hansbrough...if that's not stating the obvious. Unfortunately, it simply doesn't look as though they have any possible way to do that. Again, I'm not making the Lawson excuse, but...things could be different. The problem with Ginyard and "Q" in at the same time is the liability on offense. Neither, is much of a scorer. As long as Carolina can shave the lead to 4-6 at the half...they could very well win the game. As it is, Duke is setting the pace of the game and have everything clicking.

6:47 - I'm now going to time myself on how fast I can drink a fifth of Grey Goose.

6:48 - Does this game even count? There is always March.

6:49 - We're at the 2:00 minute time-out and I'll keep attempting to talk myself into this, but if they can keep this thing under double digits going into the half - they can win. Of course, I;m just talking out loud.

6:51 - FUCK Paulus; I'd rather fight Quinten Thomas.

6:53 - Gerald Henderson IS the best athlete "K" has ever had.

6:55 - OK, I just did a whippet. I feel revived and Carolina has cut the lead back down to "3." Hansbrough is en route to a MONSTER game. It's half-time and I'm going on a break. In case you don't want to scroll through useless rants and rambling from above I'll sum it up here. Duke made threes, Carolina turned the ball over. Bottom line. Fuck stick Bilas is breaking it down for you on ESPN right now. Enjoy. Hang tight.

6:57 - UPDATE: Ok, so I "accidently" turned off "comments"...I'm 30, but I never admitted to being mature. The comment room is open again, feel free to call me an ass.

7:10 - We're off...operation feed Hansbrough. WOW, "Q"!!!

7:14 - The perimeter...is wide open. Duke is bleeding the arc.

7:16 - The ghost of Derrick Phelps has taken over the body of Quinten Thomas.

7:18 - COUNT THE BUCKET!!! A nice tip-and-1 from Ellington. And that's FOUR fouls on Nelson.

7:20 - Just because Rupes is reading...completely off subject, but the scrolling ESPN ticker just made note that Michigan had "0" top 50 recruits in Football. Sorry. Commercial break.

7:22 - This should be a window for Carolina to go on a little spurt. Nelson is riding pine and Duke should cool off from the arc...we should hope. If ever there as a run in Carolina...it's gotta come now. Hang tight.

7:24 - How can Scheyer take anybody on the baseline?

7:26 - Stevenson is really not any good.

7:27 - Umm, when is the last time Hansbrough touched the ball? Carolina continues to suffer for not getting him the ball.

7:30 - I give up. Another turnover. Yet, I will not use Lawson as a crutch.

7:35 - Patrick and Vitale will continue to tell you "WHAT A BALLGAME!" However, this is hardly a GREAT game. Duke has been in control the entire game. Carolina has never had any flow nor been able to impose any will. It's been all Duke and the more I hear it, the more it sickens me. Until, we get some back and forth action...this is hardly a game. Nice bucket Tyler. Commercial.

7:38 - Of note, I have the OVER.

7:41 - Ellington FINALLY hits a bucket. And he has just been served with ballbag from Dickie V.

7:42 - Ok, Henderson and Nelson have 4 fouls and there again lies the window. The next 2-3 minutes will dictate how much Carolina has in the tank. If they are going to mount in sort of a comeback...it's going to have to take place right now. And I know I just said that 5 minutes ago, but I'm not ready to hang it up...yet.

7:44 - That might be the booze talking.

7:47 - FUCK. Can they miss? Live by the three...DIE by the three. And die they will in March.

7:49 - Considering the disparity in triples...argh.

7:51 - No Lawson, when do they play again. Yada-yada.

7:52 - Puss chops call on big Puss Thompson.

7:56 - Signing off...I'm going to the bar. This game is over, until next time. Lawson will be back.