I just got around to watching the game tonight, but Duke managed a much-needed win last night with a 78-70 win at Boston College. Duke improved to 6-6 in conference play and should finish no worse than 8-8 in conference play. It was huge win for any number of reasons, but mostly for the sake of their confidence - certainly bordering on fragile after dropping four in a row - and to add another solid win to their resume for March (more on that later.)

There was the added incentive to prevent a five game losing streak for the sake of Coach Krzyzewski, whose longest streak to date was four games. Coach K was in good company of late, with other coaches enduring losing streaks including Tom Izzo (4 games) and Bob Knight (5 games.) Both Izzo and Knight won on Tuesday night ending theirs, so it was good to see Duke end the streak for their coach as well.

The Devils outplayed (and outhustled) BC from most of the game with a great effort. They struggled from the line again (4-10), which is very un-Duke-like. They also had 15 turnovers, but did help offset that with 10 steals. Josh McRoberts had a very good game, being more aggressive offensively and passing the ball as well as he ever has. He finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. There was a stretch in the second half where BC appeared as though they were giving up, when Duke stretched their 11 point halftime lead to 24 points with about 11 minutes left. But, not surprisingly, BC roared back, cutting the lead in half in a matter of about 3 minutes. Duke played a little tentative down the stretch, but managed to hold on for the win.

Mike has pointed to a nice article by Andy Katz, who I find to be one of the few people who talk about sports on television or the web that usually knows what he’s talking about. He says that “any talk of Duke being on the bubble was ludicrous”, and I would agree (but with assumptions about future games, such as winning out at home.) He points out quality wins and also the fact that they’ve lost close games (as opposed to losing big.) He closes out with this:

Duke is dead? Please. Can we move on to another topic? The Blue Devils are in the NCAA Tournament. They’re just playing for a seed now. And anyone who thought it was worth discussing Duke’s demise better think of something else to ponder. That issue is the only thing that’s dead about Duke.

Again, I would agree. They now have 19 wins, should end with no less than 22, and I find it impossible to believe a Duke team with 22 wins, a top 20 RPI and a top 10 SOS would be left at home. There’s still a lot to be played, but Duke should not be in any trouble regarding making the tournament unless they really fell apart and lost out. I don’t see that happening, and after last night’s win, I’m encouraged that they’ll finish well, even if there are a couple of more losses.

I’ve mentioned the ACC’s strength and/or balance on several occasions this season, but as the conference season reaches the final few games, it’s more evident than ever. There’s a four-way tie at the top (loss column), where BC, UNC, Virginia and Virginia Tech are all tied with 3 losses each. It’s conceivable that the league winner could have as many as 5 losses. All four of these teams have tough games remaining - BC (UNC, @Virginia Tech, Clemson), Virginia Tech (BC, @Virginia, Clemson), Virginia (@NCSU, Virginia Tech) and UNC (@BC, @Maryland, Duke). All of those teams could have 2 more losses, but Virginia seems to have the most favorable schedule remaining. They could easily win out. I don’t think any of the other teams will win out other than possibly UNC. If they can win at BC this weekend, they would have the best shot of the other three.

With a league so balanced (with good teams, not balanced with bad ones like, for example, the SEC West), the ACC should get a lot of teams in post-season play. I heard a head on TV the other day say the ACC will get the most teams in the tournament this year and it would be seven. Dick Vitale said during the game last night that they should get eight teams in. The four at the top are certainly in, and I believe Duke is as well. Clemson, Maryland and Georgia Tech are next at 5-6, and it’s possible all three could sneak in to make it eight teams, but I doubt it. FSU has now dropped to 5-7, so they would probably be considered NIT bound at this point, but it’s not over yet. It should be a wild finish.

In related news, Carolina has been dropped from the #1 seeds in ESPN’s weekly Power 16.

In other basketball news, Tim Hardaway’s Valentine’s wishes would not extend to those of the gay community. In an interview with the annoying Dan Le Batard yesterday, he was asked about former NBA player John Amaechi’s revelation last week. I realize there are people who might feel the way Hardaway does, but I’m a little surprised that they would still publicly voice them in the manner in which he did. He has since apologized, but after such harsh words, I think he’s got a lot more to do if he truly wants to make any kind of amends. And, considering his initial words, it’s possible - like many said of Michael Richards and Mel Gibson - that he may just be trying to save face.