Christmas almost came early tonight for the Duke haters of the world (a.k.a. the world) as the Blue Devils continued their late-season pillow faceplant against the 56th-to-60th-ranked Belmont Bruins. Since 2004, when Duke lost to UConn in the Final Four, God's Devils haven’t even made it past the Sweet Sixteen. And last year, things only got worse, when Duke tanked in the First Round against Virginia Commonwealth.

Tonight, they were again out-hustled, out-executed, and yes, even (earmuffs, Dickie V) out-coached by a speedy, aggressive Belmont team. The Bruins beat the Blue Devils at the game they patented over the last quarter-century: they won a ton of loose balls, drove the lane relentlessly, and out-shot their opponent from the arc.

The moral of the story: maybe Duke’s naysayers are right. Not that it needs to be said, but the Devils deserved to lose tonight. If we’re the psychics we keep telling you we are (now aren't you pissed you didn't sell Bear Stearns like we suggested?), we’re guessing you’ll see a post on Saturday titled "Duke's Poop: Part II."