Zion Williamson out vs UNC in tonight's matchup
Photo Credit: Sporting News
Let me start off by reporting something that everyone knows by now…Zion Williamson will be missing from Duke’s lineup tonight @ 6PM against the UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heels. UNC has an upper hand in the rivalry with an overall record of 138-111. This record will jump to 139-111 and the Tar Heels will cruise to a double-digit victory tonight.
Duke has been in terrible form since Zion blew out his shoe. With an impressive 26-4 record this season, Duke has a 3-2 record without Zion and barely pulled off a victory against Wake Forest last time out. There is no logical explanation as to why Duke is so bad without the highly touted big man. Coach K landed the top 3 recruits in last year’s class, and 2 are still fully healthy. Not to mention they are loaded with former 4 and 5 star recruits coming out of High School. This is coming from a Duke fan…Coach K is no longer the coach of old. I remember the days of the “original” floor slapping crew and the days of playing as a team. My favorite team has to be the 2010 team, all of those guys stuck together, and created an unstoppable force. Now all Coach K cares about is getting his guys to the League and no longer cares about winning. There is a reason why EVERY SINGLE YEAR…someone transfers from the program. Play some of your guys Coach K and let them learn.
Remember Kyrie Irving and his injury debacle? Now Zion is no different, initially reported as a Grade 1 knee sprain, Zion has been out of action since the February 20th incident. Kyrie has a mysterious toe injury that kept him out all year long, and when it was time for him to come back, the team failed to go far in March as they lost to Arizona badly, 93-77. Coach K just came out with a report that he was pleased with Zion’s workout and he just needs to get his conditioning ready. Seriously?!?!?! He has been out a couple weeks and he’s already out of game shape?!?!?!!?! What a complete lie and now…Zion will miss both UNC/Duke matchups in the regular season.
Kobe Bryant was asked on the issue and said that he (being Zion) should honor his commitment to Duke and play, instead of sitting out in order to save himself for the draft. The game of basketball has changed with players sitting out and choosing when they play, no commitment is made to contribute to a team and the “ME” culture has consumed the sport.
College Basketball is dead, the one-and-done has destroyed the game. Tonight’s matchup has no meaning to Duke tonight. Coach K…we all know Zion is okay, he can go out there. I also write this to the NCAA and the NBA…make High School seniors stay in college if they commit…if High School Seniors want to go pro (which they can go to Europe or the G-League) then you do that, this drama has destroyed basketball. If money is all the game is about, then why is it so hard to move to Europe? Maybe some of these guys will learn to grow up and understand what it takes to become a superstar. Anyway…let’s get prepared for Luke Maye and Cameron Johnson to destroy Duke and see RJ Barrett take 30 shots…he’ll hit 9…and maybe get a double-double…(yawn)
UNC 93 Duke 72
AustYn