CHARLOTTE - Make no mistake about it, when Trajan Langdon talked about the ACC tournament earlier last week, he had quite a different scenario drawn up for this weekend.
All things considered, it didn't all end up quite so bad. Duke still overwhelmingly claimed its first ACC tournament championship since 1992. Now if Langdon's foot recovers before Friday, the Blue Devils and their senior captain almost come off no worse for the wear. Right?
"As long as we win, that's the best feeling," Langdon said after yesterday's 96-73 win over North Carolina. "It can't get any better than this feeling. We won three straight games, that's what we came to Charlotte to do, any way possible to do it. I would have liked to be out on the floor, but we got it done."
Duke's next challenge is to return Langdon's strained foot to 100 percent. It's the kind of injury that worsens if Langdon pushes it while the foot is still sore. Thus it won't be a matter of playing through pain.
The Blue Devils are taking today off, and with the No. 1 seed in the East won't have to play until Friday. Langdon's teammates and coach are optimistic, as is Langdon himself.
"It's going to get better," Langdon said. "Hopefully I'll be ready to go. [Winning this game] feels great right now, can't get any better."
Langdon's injury obviously forced others to replace the senior's leadership on the court and 17 points per game. Corey Maggette scored from the outside and on penetrations against N.C. State in reaching a career-high 24 points.
Yesterday, Will Avery and Elton Brand simply upped their averages even more. Just as importantly, Shane Battier appeared healthy again after his ankle sprain, playing 34 minutes and adding 13 points. Leadership isn't as easy to replace, then again Langdon was still quite active from the bench.
"I think we've done a great job," Langdon said. "The last time we played Carolina over there [in Chapel Hill], we were without Shane, and we beat them by 20. Then we beat them by 20 without me. As long as we keep our things we've done all year, I think we'll be fine."
After Saturday's game, Langdon put the most important of spins on his injury. Winning the ACC tournament was important, as was beating North Carolina for a third time. But, lest anyone forget...
"There are bigger events coming up," Langdon said.
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