CLK wrote:

I have to confess that I do not have high hopes for this game.  I have not felt this bad about a DU team since the Danny Nee era. It is not that I had high expectations going into the season, but after beating WVU I thought the Dukes would gain some momentum, and had enough to win some games in the A10 to avoid finishing last and possibly making the A10 Tournry.  Instead the Dukes have gone into a downward tail spin with the loss to Fordham pretty making those who predicted the Dukes to finish last look smart.  The Dukes have now lost 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6 and the big question is will they win any league games this year.   The Dukes play at Umass on national TV thursday night I just hope it is not a blow out.

http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/011413aaj.html

 

I share the same gut feeling, this team when they keep it close, hasn't been able to pull it out down the steretch. Maybe if Datt and Marhold have big  inside games and one of the guards has a big night, but lt will take some effort. And  I hope somebench player from UMASS doesn't come off the pine lighting it up with 3's.
 

Sigghhhhhhh.....  Now we're just supposed to be satisfied with keeping the games close and out-rebounding our opposition? Whatever happened to OUTSHOOTING your opponent?

You mean win a league game brilliant!

Will be extremely difficult for us up there. Home court means so much to any team's success. I am looking for some steady improvement and, who knows, there will be a surprise win somewhere in our future. Hopefully won't be beaten by an overabundance of 3 point shots!

My thoughts are that throughout this year, we will be the underdog.  Can an upset occur?  Yes, but these are not frequent.  I believe that my focus will be twofold for the rest of the season:

1.  Did the team improve (We have to look at the stats)
2.  Are there individuals who improved?

A few years ago, sadly Andre was thought of so negatively and a lot of words were said about his lack of ability.  I personally believe he is the most improved player on the team.
The young man had to have worked very hard to get where he is at this time.  He should be commended. 

Agree with Fam Andre has worked hard and improved. Secondly I don't believe in trashing these young men not to say anyone on this board Has done so.Time will tell as league play progresses. Really no trip to the a10 not good. Is 4 wins acceptable next year in league play then 7 then a 500 season! I'm seeing Duquesne in a 1 or 2  bid a10 league with zero tv revenue. Hopefully I'm wrong but very rarely!

It will be interesting to watch the match up between Colter & Williams.

I have just arrived in Amherst and will go to the box office to see if Duquesne turned in any tickets.  Many times Duquesne's tickets are offered for resale and a fan can get a seat right behind the bench.  At any rate, I will be in the Mullins Center somewhere.  Nobody posted where Duquesne fans are going to gather before the game.  I'll just have to miss it.  Hope Duquesne plays better than last year-the game during the Atlantic-10 playoffs.  Let's shut down Chaz Williams.

Scotchngars wrote:

anyone have a link to the game?

Johnson got 29 and cut it to 3' but then got out classed. Our Dukes were out rebounded, sometimes the Umass players didn't even have to jump to get the rebound. This team is so small. May not win 10 this year.

I had a good time depite the loss and the fact that the Umass PA announcer was a buffoon.  At every timeout he had to read some ad or annoucement.  He was a screamer this time.  When the Dukes played here last year in the A-10 playoffs, he had to be more tame-because it is supposed to be a somewhat neutral court in the playoffs.  Umass does not sell caps for the opposing teams-so nobody knew why I was cheering for Duquesne.  Duquesne played well at the start of both halves, then in the second half they got tired and had to take longer shots that did not go down.  They played their hearts out, but were too slow on the court.  They ran that weave that drives you all crazy.  By the way, Duquesne fans do not travel to support their team.  There  was no evidence of any Duquesne section or even row.  Xavier, Dayton, Richmond, St. Louis, St. Bonaventure, and even Fordham have fans in evidence at away games.  Stangely, Temple does not.  Coach Ferry has to get better players-that's all there is to it.  So long from Umass.

I rock, like in a rocking chair!

I really thought that Pantophlet & Winters killed us last night.  Winters is completely lost on defense, and is so predictably one demensional on offense.  He was 1-10 shooting last night, hoisting ill advised three point shots in crunch time that absolutely killed us down the stretch.  I blame the coaches as this has become a repetitive pattern for him.  There is no reason that he should not be showing signs of developing into a more complete player.  He is a horrible passer, does not box out on defense, and showns no signs of ability to take his man off the dribble.  Pantophlet is better defensively but also is one demensional on offense waiting in the wing to shoot the three.   The problem is when he gets wide open looks he chokes. Down three poinst last night with 8  minutes to go Kadeem gets a a wide open three point shot that D1 players dream off and klanks it. 

I know it sounds like I am ragging on these guys, but I really want these guys to get better.  If we are going to have any chance this year of winning another game they are going to have to wake up and start playing basketball.  This is the job of the high price "upgrade" coaches we have. 




 

Last edited by CLK (1/18/2013 8:39 am)