I had to watch the Duke Pitt game a day later due to being out of town. At the half I listened to former Duke great Jay Williams and former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg talk about who they thought was the best conference in college basketball. They both went back and forth having the Big 10 and Big 12 at the top. When they were asked by another commentator about the ACC, they shrugged their shoulders. Jay had the PAC 10 above the ACC, landing the ACC in 4th place.  Look these guys know more about basketball than I do about chasing the endless summer. But, I'm here to say don't forget about the ACC come March Madness. I can agree with them on their thinking that the ACC is not the best top to bottom conference. However, the ACC has teams that can cut down the nets in April. Duke and Syracuse can easily make the Final Four. Virginia and Pittsburgh could do damage as well come tourney time. The ACC could possibly land 5 to 7 teams in the dance. As I told Jay Williams on Twitter "6 of the past 13 NCAA Chamipons are playing in the ACC". I understand his response .."New year and new league my man".  He is right, it is a new year and a new league. Next year we will add Louisville. That would give the ACC 7 of the past 13 NCAA Champions. The ACC is evolving and the teams at the top of the conference can and have been winning. While the ACC might not be the best top to bottom conference, don't count them out come March Madness. With a 46% (6 of past 13 NCAA Champions) success rate of its teams cutting down the nets over the last 13 years, I wouldn't bet against that house!

It wasn't but 2 weeks back that Duke was 1-2 in conference play and fans every where were sweating it out!  Fast forward 2 weeks later and Duke has righted the ship and are 6-2 in ACC play with 5 straight wins over UVA, NC State, Miami, FSU and Pittsburgh.  I was at the NC State game as Duke whipped NC State to a score of 95-60.  It was a special game as former president George Bush was in the house being a Cameron Crazie for a day.  I didn't see Air Force One landing in Kville (I'm joking) but it was a cool experience to be in Cameron with the former president waving his hand with the Crazies at the opposing team.  With Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Syracuse joining an already tough ACC and Louisville on its way...the ACC is becoming an ever more powerful basketball conference.  Road wins are gonna become even tougher to pull off.  Check out my poll (link below) at Duke Report asking fans which road game venue would you (as a Duke fan) like to be at supporting your Blue Devils.  I have been to Duke away games several times at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg where the Hokies play.  Let me say...the Hokies, fans, and Blacksburg mark the game on their calendar when Duke comes to town.  It is their Super Bowl.  When Duke plays away games..it is the other team's biggest game!  Duke always gets the other team and their fans best performance.  So... go vote in the poll at Duke Report and let us know which ACC road game venue would you like to attend a Duke game at.  I can say that I "may" add another Duke road game for myself here soon....Dean Dome you better be ready for me!  ;)        

Click on the link below to get to my latest article for Duke Report called..."Enjoy the Ride...While it Lasts"...  We as Duke fans have become spoiled by the success of Coach K at Duke.  Let's be thankful for what we have.

Links below will  take you to some videos I shot from section 17 hanging out with the Cameron Crazies for the Duke vs. Georgia Tech game this past Tuesday 1/7/14.  This was the 1st game this year that I have sat (or stood) with the Cameron Crazies.  It is an experience that I think all Duke fans need to experience.  Georgia Tech gave Duke a battle in the 1st half.  Rodney Hood and Duke came out in the 2nd half fired up and ended up beating GT by a score of 79 to 57.  The Crazies and fans in attendance even brought their A game the 2nd half.  Coach K took notice of that as well as he looked toward the student section clapping his hands as he walked off the court.

1st link below will take you to  a video shot from section 17 with the Cameron Crazies of the tipoff.
2nd link will take you to a video shot from section 17 of the Cameron Crazies getting down to the Will.I.Am song "Scream and Shout". 
3rd link below will take you to a video I took of the Blue Devil surfing during a break.  

While on vacation, I checked out one of Grayson Allen's games at the Beach Ball Classic Tournament in Myrtle Beach.  Grayson dropped 30 points in a win against Moeller H.S.  Click on the link below to see my brief interview with him after the game.  

Duke Report was down in Greensboro to cover the Duke vs. Elon game on 12/31/13 at the Greensboro Coliseum.  Even though it was considered an away game for Duke, the crowd was easily 85% Duke.  You could see a sea of Duke Blue shirts all through out the coliseum.  As I got settled in on press row a man came up and sat next to me.   It was Bucky Waters (former Duke Basketball coach).  It was a very cool experience sitting next to Bucky on press row and having a conversation with him on topics ranging from his coaching Duke Basketball to broadcasting for ESPN to Jabari Parker.  Duke ended up beating Elon by a score of 86 to 48.   

LINKS...
Click on the 1st link below to see our interview with Josh Hairston.  Josh briefly talks about ACC play being a whole new season and helping the freshman prepare for it.  
Click on the 2nd link below to see our interview with Rodney Hood.  Rodney talks about ACC play and the upcoming Notre Dame game.  
Click on the 3rd link below to see the tip off of Duke vs. Elon on 12/31/13.     
Pic above I took at the Duke Elon game 12/31/13.