NapaDuke wrote:

levon1975 wrote:

Really? Players will usually get stronger as they mature and have the benefit of great equipment, specialized training and nutrition.  So I  expect Rozier and all of the returning players to get stronger, but I never thought Kareem was lacking in muscle to play at this level. I don’t recall seeing him getting knocked off the ball by stronger players, or getting pushed around on defense. I never saw a lack of muscle to be a problem for Kareem.

Just maybe you didn't go to Dukes games, I do. and for most of the season, defense was our only best part of most games. Rozier played 6 feet off his opponent every game I was there. He is of course small, but he is also not physical enough to play his opponent close enough to reduce their court vision. This is a great disadvantage.  BUT, when he is on offense his opponent plays him tight and physical making his less able to run the offense.  So, I will say it again, more than any returning player, Rozier needs to get more muscle and bigger so he can play tight on defense  and more physical to run the offense to contribute or he will likely get less time on court..

“Just maybe you are totally misguided!  I did go to the games and know that you are confusing his lack of length with weakness.

Yes, total agreement on your point, you have to get the best players that are within reach and then occasionally steal one who is typically out of reach!

I wouldn’t get too analytical or read too much into these staff changes. It’s pretty normal for the staff to change when a new HC takes over.  Sometimes things just run their course and the decisions just become obvious. 

Andy is a great kid, as we all seem to agree, but either due to long-term injuries or level of competition was never able to contribute in meaningful games.  This move was expected.

yak-rbc wrote:

BYU Dad wrote:

Congratulations on your win.

I'm not sure BYU really wanted to be there. We got robbed by the committee not putting us at the 4 seed in Salt Lake. It put a really dark cloud over the team and guys just weren't motivated.

One of our players has been fasting for religious reasons too so he was at like 25 or 50%. Some of the calls by the refs made no sense and favored one team.

are you serious with this (profanity)?

Complete and utter nonsense by this BYU clown.  The Dukes won the game because they were tougher all day, and a better team.  BYU was very lucky to even be close down the stretch, but again the Dukes showed they had more toughness and grit.  BYU definitely looked soft! 
Using their religious beliefs as a crutch is absurd.  They don't mind using their "faith" to gain advantages in sports by sending their athletes on religious pilgrimages for years for the purpose of developing a more mature athlete.   

VBC wrote:

Those free throws from Lauren were absolutely perfect.  Just how every coach wants it to be done.

I agree VBC, they were as pure as could be!  She was like a machine out there and showed great confidence in her stroke.  Her ability to draw the two critical shooting fouls was also veteran in every way.  A lot of time refs won't give this call, when they know you are trying to draw the three-shot foul; but she was very convincing on both.  What a distinct advantage to have a player like this to go to down the stretch.  Her defense along with the rest of the Dukes was great when the Monmouth girls, who were very talented continually tried to drive the paint and draw fouls.  They held on several key possessions and a few missed FTs by Monmouth aided the comeback. 
Precious was a big part of keeping the Dukes close as well.  For most of the game, she was the only Duke to hit a three and I believe she had all three until Lauren hit one late.  Megan continually got to the rim for layups and her patented reverse when nothing else was happening on offense for the Dukes.  Jerni is a pleasure to watch.  She is explosive and a dynamo of energy on the court.  Looking forward to seeing more of her in the future. 

 

I was at the game on Thursday and I must complement the BYU fans.  They were great after the game, very complementary to the Dukes, no sour grapes that I could hear.  Several BYU fans actually approached me and complemented the Dukes for the win.  I'll also say the same about the Illinois fans, who were very complementary of the Dukes.  Both groups seem like a classy fan base.  
The Duquesne turnout was really pretty amazing with Dukes fans coming from all parts of the Country. Omaha is challenging to get to from Pittsburgh by air, unless you are will to spend close to a grand.  If they can pull this off and go to Boston for the Sweet 16 I expect a huge Duquesne presence.
In addition to Norm Nixon there were several other former Dukes including Jimmy Tricco who was really enjoying the game.
The Dukes fans were also involved and loud with one attorney I know leading the Mossie  Cheer on a few occasions.  It was a great time!  If you get the opportunity to get to Boston don't miss it! 

Totally agree FAM!  Considering the Dukes record in this Tournament over the years, I’m shocked that anyone following this team would  assume a first game victory!

I don’t know if they treat the NET  rankings as gospel, or have some flexibility to select a team like Richmond.  It would probably still be safer to have Richmond win the tournament and Dayton come in second.  Dayton has the much higher NET Ranking and should still get a bid as long as they can win a few more games.

FAM wrote:

Hopefully Dambrot practiced against the same type of Defense Fordham used against us. Don’t know if Mason will try the same thing tomorrow. The key to winning will be our guard play.

In terms of playing a clean game and controlling turnovers as they did against LaSalle that is true, but if they extend their defense and chase our guards off the three-point line, some effective pick and rolls by the bigs would discourage that kind of defensive strategy.  When they trap the guards out of a ball screen they are telling you that they don't respect the ability of your bigs to score.  So, guard play is important every game, but if the bigs can score it can change the game.

Well done CLK. 
I might add that I still think it's important to the players for be in a situation where they have a chance to play with other good players and win.  Getting to the NCAA Tournament can obviously do a lot to enhance the reputation and value of players, both to other college programs, or to professional teams.  The basketball season can be a long grind if you play on a team that loses more than it wins, so I strongly believe players still care about winning.

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

From the Dukes game notes:
WHERE'S THE BEEF? Balance. Elbow. Eyes on target. Follow through. Senior guard Dae Dae Grant has used those mantras to put forth an amazing performance at the free-throw line this season. Grant is averaging 5.33 attempts per game at the stripe in 2023-24 and has recorded 10 games this year in which he has fi nished 5-for-5 or better at the chalk, including a 10-for-10 performance at Fordham. That performance matched a 10-for-10 showing in a 68-59 win over Saint Peter's earlier this season. The Duquesne single-season (91.8%) and career records (87.7%) for free-throw percentage are both held by former guard Rick Suder (1983-86), with Grant in line to break both marks. Grant is shooting 96.1 percent (123-for-128) during the 2023-24 season and owns a career success rate of 92.2 percent (212-for-230) in two seasons with the Dukes

This is a great accomplishment for Dae Dae and the work he puts in has paid dividends.  Let's hope he can lead the nation as well.  Congratulations Dae Dae!