Duke basketball has not been as strong of late.  Back-to-back losses to Wake Forest and Miami!  Duke is a favorite target because they are successful, but there has been a noticeable talent drop off recently. 

That talent drain has converged nicely with the Snyder-ization.  For those unfamiliar with the Big XII, the effect is the namesake of former Kansas State football head coach whom had a habit of loading up on lesser competition in non-conference play.  K-State routinely had more cupcakes than Little Debbie.  K-State rose to prominence but peaked in 1998, losing a shot at the national title by falling to Texas A&M in the Big XII title game.  It has since become SOP, standard operating procedure, for many football programs nationwide. 

Duke seems to be following the Snyder SOP to the T.  A sugary diet of cupcakes in non-conference games, leaving them brutally unprepared for an unforgiving ACC conference slate.  Since their last ‘ship, 2001, Duke has flamed out to Indiana in 2002 (Sweet 16), Kansas in 2003 (Sweet 16), UConn in 2004 (Final Four), Mich St in 2005 (Sweet 16), LSU in 2006 (Sweet 16), and VCU in 2007 (1st round).  Now most coaches would make a deal with Mephistopheles for that kind of run, but again this is Duke. 

Expectations are sky-high every season, why else would Dicky V’s mouth be surgically attached to Coach K’s derriere?  Stank-0 isn’t sure that Duke has hit bottom yet, either.  *Smile*  Life is good!  The Patriots lost in the Super Bowl and Duke is coming back down to Earth!  Long live the underdog! 

cross posted here