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Attention loyal Shakedownsports readers: I’ve decided to do more liveblogging. Why? Because there’s a lot of stuff I want to write, but I forget it because I’m too lazy to write it down at the time. I’m not sure when all this liveblogging will happen—it will most likely be arbitrary and without warning. Sometimes I might just decide to liveblog random 40 minute stretches of whatever is on TV.

First up is tonight’s Maryland Duke game. Joining me today is my older brother, one of many proud former Maryland students. Let’s get to it.

7:02—Mike Patrick draws a blank while going through his prepared intro and to fill the dead air he ends up calling Md.-Duke the best rivalry in college basketball. Umm…maybe…if you don’t count a bunch of other rivalries.

7:06—Bambale Osby stuffs a Kyle Singler dunk attempt. It might be the block of the year. (Blocks are always much better when they involve a white guy and a black guy. If the white guy gets blocked by a black guy its funny and pathetic. If the white white guy blocks a black guy than it’s a crazy improbably play. Singler’s dunk attempt was funny and pathetic.

7:10—Osby makes another unbelievable block, only this time a questionable foul is called. “Henderson was in Bambale’s vertical space!” my brother yells. On the next possession Osby misses 5 straight layups and then beats Paulus to grab the loose ball outside the three point line. Where’s the hustle, Greg?

7:14—Brian Zoubek comes into the game for Duke. I don’t know why. I always root for Duke to lose, and I’m happy when he comes into the game. That should tell you something, Coach K.

7:15—Kyle Singler hits a jumper on the move, showcasing the NBA ready game that Mike Krzyzewski has no idea how to utilize. (Also see: Henderson, Gerald)

7:17—Zoubek tries to chase down a long rebound, but instead of recklessly diving into the stands and risking injury like Coach K teaches, he just tries to keep his feet in bounds. That’s a first for a Duke player.

7:19—Greivis Vazquez goes the length of the course for an and-1 reverse layup. Then on the next possession he backs Henderson down all the way to basket and draws the foul. It’s weird to watch Vazquez play. He looks like he’s moving in slow motion but nobody can stay in front of him. It’s kind of like watching Dirk or or Antwan Jamison.

7:25—Paulus hits another three. I will give him credit—he learned to shoot. “Go play football, you asshole” my brother yells.

7:26—It’s 21-17 Duke, but Maryland still looks ready to play. They’re relaxed and confident, completely unfazed by Cameron. They win there so much I think they’ve begun to relish playing there. Duke is the team that looks like a jitterbuggy underdog trying to pull off the upset.

7:33—Another incredible block for Osby. “I wonder what his Hollinger rating is,” my brother says.

7:39—A Singler 3 gives duke a 13 point lead. Maryland is doing a terrible job defending the three point line. They can’t stop Duke from getting threes in transition and their guards are dropping into the lane too frequently. On the plus side, I think Dicky V just said “Diaper Dandy” or the first time.

7:43—Dicky V believes Andy Pettitte. That’s bad for Clemens. When Dicky V is no longer in your corner you know you’re in trouble. At least Roger still has Virginia Foxx.

7:45—Every Duke possession is a set play for a 3 point shot. They can’t do anything else. If only Maryland knew how to fight through a screen.

7:47—Dicky V basically admits J.J. Redick sucks in the NBA. I know that was tough. It had to hurt to say that. I’m proud of you man.

7:50—Duke leads 41-30 at the half.

8:09—Another three for Singler. Duke is going to get hammered next year when they move back the three point line.

8:12—Demarcus Nelson moves across the whole lane while Vazquez is in the air and doesn’t get called for a block. Even Vitale says it was a block. It’s the first really egregious “Duke call” of the game.

8:13—In a completely remarkable sequence Osby successfully defends four Duke guys in an 8 second span. First he knocks the ball away from Lance Thomas and into the backcourt. Osby chases after it, but Demarcus Nelson gets there first. Osby picks himself off the floor at runs back down the court in time to guard Nelson as he dribbles around a screen. Osby forces Nelson to kick it out to David Mclure, who then drives to the basket. Osby fills the lanes and forces McLure to miss an awkward shot. Duke get the rebound and the ball is swung around the perimeter to Paulus. He drives to the basket but when he sees Osby in the lane he loses the ball out of bounds. It was an unbelievable sequence.

8:16—On a 2-on-1 break Vazquez fakes a no-look pass, gets away with a travel, then tries a no-look pass that is stolen. My brother gets a text message: “What the fuck does he think he’s doing, this isn’t the Globetrotters.”

8:20—Maryland’s guards are killing them defensively. There’s no reason for them to be leaving their guys open for threes so they can double driving guard.

8:23—We’re told Osby wants to own a car shop someday. I guess that would be in addition to the Duke frontcourt (Zing!!!). Meanhwile, Vazquez makes a nice runner and then a minute later goes coast to coast. He has such unique skills, I’m just not sure exactly what they are yet.

8:31—Maryland, once down 16, has cut it to 3.

8:34—A Maryland guard drops into the lane for no reason and Scheyer hits a three. Vazques comes back with a circus shot to cut it to 4.

8:41—This game has slowed to a halt, so it’s time to talk about Duke’s lack of big wins. They’re the #2 team in the country, but they haven’t beaten anybody. Unranked Maryland is their 3rd best win of the year.

8:42—Maryland leaves Singler open and he makes another three. I actually think Osby was baiting Singler into shooting because he thought he could block it. He just got there a split second too late.

8:52–Duke is putting the game away. Kyle Singler nearly kills himself trying to take a charge and there’s no call. That’s good Coach K. Have everybody on your team get hurt trying to take charges in games that have already been decided. Somehow I believe this is what’s responsible for Grant Hill’s ankle problems.

9:00–Duke wins 77-65, narrowly covering the 11.5 point spread. The End. Now I must go because I just heard Devean George put the kibosh on the Jason Kidd trade. Way to go Devan. You’re really cementing your legacy there. Now the Mavericks will surely remember you forever.

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