The difference in confidence between Castro-Canedy and Smith I think is night and day between last year and this year. They both have been so smooth on drives to the basket and I think are making very smart decisions with the ball, generally. And Lewis looked like himself, which is good.

24 TOs on defense. That's what I like to see.

ITS EARLY but our guard play has made me look forward to these games like the team can handle it.

The differences between this team and last year's is really noticeable.  Defense won this game.  I saw only 2 or 3 defensive breakdowns where a shot was uncontested.  Last year this would have been a loss.  Even with a short bench, I think this team will surprise some people. 

Duques102 wrote:

Look solid on d and ok on offense but shots aren't really falling. VMI sucks.

Chaz Brown is shorter than Verhoeven as well. Idk how tall he's listed but I'd say 6'7"

Anyone know if Chas was injured before he got here? If so that might be why we were able to get him so late.

I went to the game last night.  I have no idea how many games this team will win.  However, it is certain that these players will hustle, play tough and play better defense than any Duquesne team in my memory.  That is good enough for me this season.

Consider that Lewis, Castro-Kennedy, Smith, James and Robinson were on the team last season and they all looked markedly improved to me. Coaching makes a difference. Would they have blown this game last year after watching the 15 point lead cut to 5?  History says that is probable.  Sitting there, I just felt that we have a real coach with control, a real plan and the respect of the players and that the Dukes would win.

Castro-Kennedy finally looks like the guy who was so highly recruited out of high school.  Dambrot has helped him a ton and it's so obvious. 

I'm looking forward to the RMU game.  Duquesne basketball is going to be fun again.  Let's enjoy it!

  

To get Brown back would be nice, esp when games are 2-3 a week.  Robinson will need as many breathers as he can get.  Fingers crossed he can at least play 8-10 minutes starting early December.

Just a few comments about last night's game:
I think my favorite play of the game was when JROB knocked the ball away from VMI, dove to the floor to recover it and flipped it ahead to Rene who found MLII on the wing for an open, in rhythm, three.  I loved the effort by Jordan to recover the loose ball. 

Tarin is playing his best basketball of his college career, and giving this team leadership and controlling tempo on the floor.  Gone are the temporary losses of focus that we saw last season, occasional turnovers that made you scratch your head.  He is getting his shots within the flow, not forcing things and finding teammates for open looks.

Tydus's foul trouble limited his action, but in a brief stint in the second half his two straight blocked shots helped turn the game back to Duquesne, after VMI made its run.  It kind of put them back in their place, by cutting off their path to easy layups!  It gave us a glimpse of his great potential as a basket protector on the back line.

Rene' is playing great, and I took a hint from Coach D's comments after the last game and watched him defend his man. He is very good at staying between his man and the basket in most cases.  As a team we still need to get better at that skill.

Unsung hero last night was Nick Kratholm giving us valuable minutes at the "5" after Tydus fouled out and Jordan was on the bench with four fouls.  He seems to have a good understanding of defense, which is so important for a guy coming off the bench.  He also wasn't afraid to step out and take a few shots. 

Finally, did anyone notice Coach D's leaping move late in the game, on the sidelines, when the inbounds play to Jordan worked to perfection for a slam, only to have the ball pop out of the hoop?  Coach D might be ready for an appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" after that performance! 

FAM wrote:

-I d
-We would have lost this game last year
-Wn

I kept thinking to myself everytime VMI got close in both halves, almost like a mantra  "VMI WILL NOT ever lead in this game!....VMI WILL NOT ever lead in this game!   and it worked.  In years past they would have folded.  Not this team, not this year!


 

levon1975 wrote:

Just a few comments about last night's game:
I think my favorite play of the game was when JROB knocked the ball away from VMI, dove to the floor to recover it and flipped it ahead to Rene who found MLII on the wing for an open, in rhythm, three.  I loved the effort by Jordan to recover the loose ball. 

Tarin is playing his best basketball of his college career, and giving this team leadership and controlling tempo on the floor.  Gone are the temporary losses of focus that we saw last season, occasional turnovers that made you scratch your head.  He is getting his shots within the flow, not forcing things and finding teammates for open looks.

Tydus's foul trouble limited his action, but in a brief stint in the second half his two straight blocked shots helped turn the game back to Duquesne, after VMI made its run.  It kind of put them back in their place, by cutting off their path to easy layups!  It gave us a glimpse of his great potential as a basket protector on the back line.

Rene' is playing great, and I took a hint from Coach D's comments after the last game and watched him defend his man. He is very good at staying between his man and the basket in most cases.  As a team we still need to get better at that skill.

Unsung hero last night was Nick Kratholm giving us valuable minutes at the "5" after Tydus fouled out and Jordan was on the bench with four fouls.  He seems to have a good understanding of defense, which is so important for a guy coming off the bench.  He also wasn't afraid to step out and take a few shots. 

Finally, did anyone notice Coach D's leaping move late in the game, on the sidelines, when the inbounds play to Jordan worked to perfection for a slam, only to have the ball pop out of the hoop?  Coach D might be ready for an appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" after that performance! 

JRob REALLY impressed me, not just with the hustle and going to the floor, but the presence of mind to get the ball to Rene.

Courtney Wallace played his last season under Darelle Porter. Jamal Hunter and Buzz Forney were the starting backcourt in Nee's first season. Then he brought in Bryant McAllister and Jimmy Tricco.
 

ElDuque wrote:

Courtney Wallace played his last season under Darelle Porter. Jamal Hunter and Buzz Forney were the starting backcourt in Nee's first season. Then he brought in Bryant McAllister and Jimmy Tricco.
 

I stand corrected. Does anyone know whatever became of the Courtney Wallace lawsuit? Just curious.