The Magazine's John Gustafson writes in from Greensboro, where he can't help but admire the cold killers from Durham.

What's a lifelong Duke hater to do? I've spent the last week watching college basketball's version of Mike Tyson and I have to admit I'm becoming a fan.

I missed the first minute and a half of the Monmouth game, I later found out I wasn't alone. The Hawks missed it too. Coach K's crew ripped off the first 11 points of the game with a flurry of threes and steals. Then before you knew it, it was 24-10 and Shane Battier had like three points. But it didn't stop there. With 2:45 left in the first half, the lead was 32. At half, the score was 62-29 with the Blue Devils hitting more triples than Kenny Lofton hammers in a season.

"We have no reason to feel sorry for them," said Battier about Monmouth after the 95-52 shellacking. And he's right. But then that's what makes Duke scary. This team has injuries, and it is still very vulnerable to a team with height. But you have to admire the way they come after you. Three after three, trap after trap. There is no letup. Like Iron Mike in his prime, they pummel you from the opening bell, or tap. Take your pick.

That's why Jason Williams was still playing when teammate Matt Christensen nearly came down right on his hurt ankle. Coach K called Williams' move, yanking his ankle out of the way and thus lessening the impact of Christensen's 260-pound frame -- his best move of the night. Christensen said Williams' ankle felt "squishy". At the time the Devils were up by 43 and one writer asked K why the hell his point guard was in the game. "The guy's got to play," said an unrepentant Krzyzewski. If you can practice, you can play.

Someone asked K for his thoughts on facing protégé Quin Snyder on Saturday. "I won't face Quin Snyder. My team would face Quin Snyder's team. If I had to face him, I'd say, hell, he's a good looking guy and I might be in trouble," he joked. Then just as quickly the smile was gone. Deep down you know K wants to deliver the knockout blow. Deep down this team wants to eat your children. On Saturday, thanks to Clarence Gilbert, they have a chance to feast on one of their own.