Duke Beats Florida in Jimmy V classic at MSG.

Hi everybody. The Duke Blue Devils are off to a Red-Hot start. They beat the Florida Gators 84-74 last night. AMILE Jefferson had a great game. He had 24 points and 15 rebounds. Luke Kennard had 29 points and Jason Tatum had 22 points in the Bule Devils victory at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This game was part of the Jimmy V classic for cancer research. I will get to that in a second. As for the game last night. Coach K said about Luke Kennard " He played fantastic tonight and when you get 29 points on 16 shots you have a great chance of winning. He was the star tonight in my mind." Coach Mike White of Florida said after the loss, " They just beat us all night we had nothing against Duke All night long." Coach K also did say that we are the Best team in basketball at the moment. We have a long way to go in the season. The ACC is very competitive this season and we have a long season ahead of. North Carolina is going to be as always are Biggest threat to the ACC championship. Well the ACC conference schedule is just around the corner. Here's my take, Coach K and Duke as always are going to be the team to watch this season in College Basketball. They are all healthy and they're back in a Big way. Last year it was a Struggle. We didn't know how far Duke would go in the Big dance. But they are all back and healthy and they are the team to watch in College Basketball. Coach K is now 29-10 all-time at MSG. And Duke is 13-4 all-time against Florida.

Also Before I go today. This game was part of the Jimmy V classic. As all of you know Jim VALVANO passed away of cancer many years ago. Back at the 1993 ESPY'S he gave a very memorable speech I am going to play the speech and afterwards you will get my very special commentary.

Wow, I still get goose bumps to this day when I watch this speech. I am going to step away as a sportswriter for a second and talk form the heart. I Lost my Mom to cancer about 8 years ago. My Dad did have melanoma skin cancer at one-time is his life. So I have been there done that with both of my parents. Both of them did Laugh, Think and Cry. And I did all 3 along with them. But I always knew they would be all-right. I loved my Mom dearly and I miss her everyday. Cancer can take away your physical abilities. But I can't take away your mind and your sprit. I thought about that after hearing this speech for the first time and I thought it would never happen in my family. But when my Dad found out he had skin cancer. He was sick for a while. He has since recovered and is living a Full and Active life. So in closing let me say this to you. If you have a family member who has this horrible disease tell them Don't give up. Live you life to the fullest everyday. It's not going to be easy. But If you are there for that person who's fighting this disease you can understand what they are going through. It's not fun but fell free to Laugh, Think and Cry. Remember Cancer can take away your physical abilities but I can't take away your mind, heart and soul. Please take the time to remember that.