Over

Yea, it cost me a steak dinner.

I know the feeling. My Zags...are done.

I'm not a Duke fan--not even in the slightest--but even I would have wished for a better ending to JJ's college career than that. You have to feel bad for the kid--he plays his heart out all the time and he has an "off game" when it really, really matters.

but even I would have wished for a better ending to JJ's college career than that.

I hear you shades.  My heart broke for him when he walked over to the bench at the end of the game, struggling with tears.

My heart broke for him when he walked over to the bench at the end of the game, struggling with tears.

It is sort of nice to see that he's human (not that I wanted to see him cry). He started out so arrogant--all the chest thumping and whatnot. He ended up making life really difficult for himself (not that I am condoning the abuse that he got on the road, or any of the myriad of hateful remarks he's been subject to, or the fact that Maryland students like to continually call his cell phone and harass him). But I think he's really matured in the four years he was under Coach K, and it was sad to see that all that growth wasn't rewarded.

But he's a smart kid, and I'm sure he'll do well for himself (NBA or no NBA).

I'm no Duke fan. Not at all. In fact, when somebody asks me who my favorite college team is I answer, "Whoever's playing Duke".

Saying all that I actually felt for J.J. as he walked off the court (I also felt for Adam Morrison). He just couldn't do it all by himself. He got absolutely no help from his bench during any game in the tournament. Also Greg Paulus, though he's going to be a good one and one who will certainly make me mad with his great play in the future, is still a freshman point guard. He looked kinda overwhelmed at times out there.

I just hope J.J. ISN'T defined by his last game. He may have had a poor shooting game but he never did stop playing hard. And as much as I don't like him I do respect him very much as a player. He has the three Cs that I love in a player. Cockiness without being disrespectful, Confidence and Competitveness. He will be drafted in the first round and he will have a long NBA career. If you can shoot you will play. Look how long Steve Kerr played and J.J. is just as good as a shooter and better all around player than Kerr.