Duke defeats Butler in the rematch, and I meet Bill Cowher

I left Ohio this morning and flew into Philadelphia.  I did that because I needed to be close(r) to New Jersey since I had a ticket for the Duke v Butler 2010 NCAA Championship rematch. 

The line for the game was Duke -14.5 if anyone is curious (i.e. and from the conversations overheard at the Izod Center by the men around me, people cared).

I didn't expect this game to be a close one.  However with Kyle Singler getting into early foul trouble and Duke shooting ice, ice cold the game was a lot closer than more Blue Devil fans wanted. 

Incidentally, I was surprised to see a fairly sizable Butler University contingency.  ****  FYI.  I've seen some of Butler's campus in Indianapolis. and it's beautiful. 

Both teams were tied at 33 at half-time.

With Butler's Gordon Hayward gone (i.e. he matriculated to the NBA), I figured Brad Stevens would have his hands full.  I was right.  As mentioned before, Duke's Kyle Singler ran into foul trouble but towards the stretch in the 2nd half, Duke its rhythm and started to drain shots.  Ultimately, Singler would foul out.  However, the Blue Devils were able to ride Nolan Smith's 24 points and Kyrie Irving's 21 points (i.e. 17 of which that came when it mattered in the 2nd half).

I'm not going to pretend that this game was more interesting than the game I missed (i.e. UNC's upset of Kentucky), but it was a fun game to watch for any Duke fan. 

In addition, it just so happened that I looked across the aisle and you'll never believe who was sitting a couple of rows behind me.  It was former Pittsburgh Steelers' coach, Bill Cowher.  The rumor is that his daughter is dating Ryan Kelly.  I guess that makes Coach Cowher a Duke fan.  EXCELLENT! 

****  FYI.  I never forget a face.  If you're a sports person, actor, singer, performer, politician etc. and you're in the building, I will recognize you.  I am always looking around, and I'm just good like that at picking people out of a crowd.  Trust me.  The list of random "celebrities" that I've run into or had sitting next to or near me at events is outright strange (i.e. Oprah, Tom Cruise, and countless others).

Go Duke!  Duke defeated Butler with a final score of 82-70. 

****  For the gamblers out there, Duke didn't cover the 14.5 points.

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If Butler loses tonight, do people care about a Duke rematch on December 4?

I got a text earlier today from my friend, Trey.  He said that I must be  loving the 24 hours of college basketball on TV.  I am!  College basketball has been on my TV for hours now.  ****  I went to work and the games were still on. 

Duke is beating Miami (OH) right now and Butler is in a good one against Louisville.  I wonder if Butler is going to be able to pull off the same amazing performance it did last season.  I need to check the roster, stop typing, and watch this game. 

I've had my ticket for the #1 Duke v #18 Butler rematch, at the Izod Center, on December 4th for months now. I just checked last night and the game time is set for 3:15PM.

As someone who's always been concerned and interested in ticket prices, I anticipate ticket prices falling for the December 4th match-up if Butler loses to Louisville tonight.  Right now, #18 Butler is losing and the score is 15-26.  Hmmm, maybe I'm losing interest in the rematch...  It might be time to see what tickets are going for on Stubhub.  Maybe I'll sell mine.


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