Gameday: Presbyterian

So let’s just ignore how last year ended–for both the Blue Devils and the blog. (Man, I didn’t even know how to properly format a Live Blog post…how naive).

But the sun is shining, the potholes on Towerview Drive by the Law School have been filled, and it’s basketball season in Durham. Tonight, the Blue Devils open the regular season in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic against Presbyterian.

COVERAGE: ESPNU, 7 p.m.

WHO OR WHAT IS PRESBYTERIAN?: Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC and is home to roughly 1,200 students. The Blue Hose are Division I in basketball, competing in the Big South Conference for the first time this season.

WAIT, THEY’RE THE BLUE HOSE?: Yes. I have no further information.

CLEVER AND INCISIVE CHEER TO MOCK THE BLUE HOSE: C’mon…you need help with this?

FUN FACT ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN FROM ITS WIKIPEDIA PAGE: Theoretically, there are no bishops in Presbyterianism; however, some groups in Eastern Europe, and in ecumenical groups, do have bishops.

FUN FACT ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE FROM ITS WIKIPEDIA PAGE: It was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a–get this–Presbyterian minister.

KEY MATCHUP: I’ll be honest: I’m not gonna go research the Blue Hose roster. So, let’s make this a…

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Crazies’ eyes should be largely on the two presumptive new starters: Nolan Smith and Miles Plumlee. Smith seems to have wrestled the job from the incumbent Greg Paulus, and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the offense early in the season (we know he’ll spearhead the pressure defense). All you want to see out of Plumlee is an ability to capitalize on being left wide open–something Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas, and David McClure have struggled with the past two seasons.

SIGNIFICANCE: It’s the first round of the 2K Sports Classic! Need I say more?

Fine, the winner gets the winner of Houston-Georgia Southern (probably the Cougars) tomorrow night in Cameron. Let’s hope the Blue Devils can overcome their bad experiences in tournaments, and advance past the second round.

PREDICTION: Duke 94-56.