Duke tipped off it’s season last night with an 86-43 victory over Columbia. Duke managed four players in double-figures, although it was mildly surprising that Josh McRoberts was not one of them (although he was perfect - 2-2 from the field, 4-4 from the line.) However, often in early season games against weaker competition, Duke’s freshmen and other inexperienced players put up good numbers, usually getting more action or more touches during those games. That appears to be the case last night as well, with three freshmen - Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Jon Scheyer - all in double figures along with DeMarcus Nelson. McRoberts did have seven rebounds along with his eight points in 24 minutes, and Martynas Pocius had nine points. I was unaware that Greg Paulus was going to be playing, but apparently felt pretty good and dished out seven assists. Overall, it appeared to be a pretty balanced game. Hopefully, that’s a good sign of things to come, especially considering the lack of balance last season. Duke plays again tonight on ESPN2 against Georgia Southern.

With the Michigan-Ohio State game coming up this weekend, ESPN currently has the following poll on their site: which rivalry is bigger? There are only two options - Michigan/OSU football or Duke/Carolina basketball. So far, it appears the football is winning. However, more football fans are probably hitting the pages these days than basketball. I don’t think I have to state my pick, as it should be evident. When the players and fans live next door (literally) to one another, shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaraunts, and breathe the same air, it tends to make the rivalry a little stronger in my opinion. Of course, I’m quite biased in this case, both for ACC basketball and Duke specifically, but also against Big 10 football (or Big 10 anything else, for that matter.)

As the leaves changing colors points to the beginning of autumn, so does hearing the voice of Dick Vitale signal the beginning of basketball season. He appeared on Mike & Mike In The Morning on ESPN Radio this morning, and Mike Greenberg - perhaps truthfully, but at least in part to get Vitale a litle worked up - told him that he thought OSU/Michigan was the bigger rivalry. Dick “went bananas”, to use one of his popular phrases, and, I believe, at one point, was speaking in tongues. I thought his head might explode. He usually doesn’t get that hysterical until after Christmas. But it was still nice to hear his voice again. Basketball season has begun.