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CONGRATULATIONS COACH DRU JOYCE III

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Men's Basketball » Dru Joyce III » Today 11:14 am

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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kcc173 wrote:

DRUquesne??  I like that.  I sense possible  marketing for  that!

DRUquesne.  I’m stealing that

Men's Basketball » Dru Joyce III » 3/25/2024 4:09 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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PhoenixRising2 wrote:

Some good points, Styles1229.  But Dru and Charles Thomas are two different situations.  As far as I knew, Charles main responsibility was to recruit, maintain player relationships and coach individual skills.  He was pretty damn good in that role as assistant coach (and was able to land a similar role at Saint Louis).  I don't believe that Charles would ever have been considered for a D-1 head coaching job; his age is probably a big factor.  The same probably holds true with Carl Thomas; getting the head coaching job at Cleary to start that program was probably a good move for him; he might be able to parlay that move into a bigger head coaching job in D-2 or low level D-1.  

Dru on the other hand has been responsible for the defensive strategy, game plan and coaching over the last 2 years (and that defense carried us to the NCAA).  He's the guy who has the last word with the 5 players on the court after a timeout.  He has been running the practices during Keith's absences. He has a deep connection with the players and they respect him greatly. 

As an assistant at Cleveland State, Dru was part of the staff who helped secure a NCAA bid - the 3rd one in Cleveland State history and first in 12 years (and they won their first round game against 4th seeded Wake Forest). Dru was the recruiting coordinator and involved in player development (similar to Charles Thomas role at Duquesne). 

Dru also had an outstanding pro career in Europe as a point guard.  He broke the all time assists record in the Basketball Bundesliga, Germany's top pro league.  Playing in Europe is tough because the roster turns over a lot due to one/two year contracts being signed; and as a point guard, you are trying to navigate through all of this turnover and players from different nationalities. Dru certainly has to have quality leadership skills to thrive in that environment.  Dru also set the career assists record at Akron.

He has been doing many of the ta

Men's Basketball » Dru Joyce III » 3/25/2024 2:24 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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MikeR wrote:

factcheck wrote:

Cleary is not D1. They are NAIA.

Animus!
 

I believe Factcheck was helping me make my point

Men's Basketball » Dru Joyce III » 3/25/2024 2:23 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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factcheck wrote:

Cleary is not D1. They are NAIA.

Thanks. I remembered reading something like the program was new so i misremembered that it was new to DI instead of new altogether. 

Napa, there is no way you can tell me there is enough on his resume. The Lebron connection is the only reason he’s being considered!  I actually think it might be enough - but I am reticent to say he should be hired.  I don’t need to list for you a bunch of men who have failed as HC who were either a former pro player or a child of a coach  Those are small intangible assets that help bolster a resume.  You are right that everybody has to start somewhere - it’s usually somewhere smaller and lower profile.  Next season, if hired, Dru will be tasked with matching wits with Chris Mooney, Mark Schmidt, Drew Valentine, Archie Manning etc having NEVER head coached a game in college basketball in his life.

Men's Basketball » Dru Joyce III » 3/25/2024 12:01 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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I want to start by saying that I could be happy to see Dru as the next head coach.  I think his connection to Lebron can only yield positive financial gains to our NIL and that connection will succeed with drawing higher end talent. Furthermore, the continuity with current players is a major plus.  But I am shocked at the seemingly unanimous acceptance of his appointment on this board.  And the animus of some thrown at whomever feels otherwise.  Charles Thomas (or the other Thomas, I can’t remember) has many many more years asst coaching experience under KD and he was given the job coaching a newly promoted Div 1 program. I doubt he had any other offers to head coach a D1 program.  What I’m saying is, when the dust settles, are we handing the keys to our new shiny sports car to a 16 year old kid because he hangs with the popular crowd?  Dru has 5 years asst coaching experience (2 of those Covid years,) at a low profile conference school and middle of the pack A10 school.  If he was not Lebron’s friend, would we like this hire?  Would we have liked a Thomas brother being the next HC if KD pushed for it?  KD head coached over 20 years with a lot of success before coming here at a school with a better profile than Cleveland St and he was out of his depth for much of his first 7 years.  Dru has been an asst coach for 5 years…

Men's Basketball » Ray Goss » 3/23/2024 4:22 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 10

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For what it’s worth, in Brooklyn I had a nice long chat with Ray and I asked him directly if he plans to retire and he said no.  I can’t remember the exact quote but to paraphrase he said, “at the end of every season I assess how things went and now, I see no reason why I wouldn’t come back.”  They obviously have to have a plan in place and Benz makes the most sense, but if it’s next year, I would say he was asked to step down. I expect a new crop of Dukes fans coming to the table next year so I could see a new radio deal, and a new broadcast team in place to greet them. I’m not saying I agree with it - just my thoughts.

Basketball Recruiting » Verbal Commits Transfer Portal » 3/20/2024 7:57 am

Styles1229
Replies: 34

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luckymcd wrote:

Most interesting name to me is Tyson Acuff after a season in which he finished 8th in the country in scoring? Any chance he’d want to come back?

I don’t have the energy to pull up an ancient post but I clearly remember catching some condescending flack in this forum when I suggested it was a failure of KD to let Tyson Acuff leave.

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - Brigham Young University Cougars (NCAA TOURNAMENT) » 3/19/2024 7:31 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 147

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NapaDuke wrote:

Let me leave you with this. The Dukes are a different team these last 4 games. They are faster, more offensive and are hitting 3's early and as often as BYU in each first half  to win the A-10. This  team is playing their best of this entire season  in tourney time, when most teams get tight and lock up, this team is running loose. Gormley said as an inside joke that the Drame's on the plane keep everyone entertained. Those two guys made it to the elite eight playing for St. Petes  These Dukes have too much talent to not win. Just saying.

KD remarked this week that his whole career he was always trying so hard to get to the tournament and that he never enjoyed himself during the games. He said that this time (A10 tourney) he just let it go and just tried to have fun.  It was clear during the games when he was smiling, giving high fives to the players, and not losing his mind at every little mistake or bad call.  And the team played so much better.  He knows this is the end, he’ll be loose just like he was in Brooklyn and I’m counting on the team also being loose.  They have played so much better with this nice, fun, KD on the sidelines.  No reason to think anything will change on Thursday

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - Brigham Young University Cougars (NCAA TOURNAMENT) » 3/19/2024 1:27 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 147

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BluffHunter wrote:

The team just got sent off by lots of fans and students on campus as they boarded the bus to the airport. The boys are officially on the road to Omaha! Keep it going!!! This has already been better than my wildest dreams could have imagined but the players don't seem to be content. I love them saying 6 more!

I was there as well!  Loved seeing the fans pack the street. Seeing the kids in the upper levels of the parking garage with signs was awesome. WTAE was there with cameras so look for it on the news tonight.  This team finally got to enjoy some celebrity today - something that has been missing from their college basketball career. The large police escort and screaming sirens as they pulled out will be something they will remember forever.

Men's Basketball » Playing BYU...... » 3/19/2024 1:19 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 25

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BYUGuy wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

BYUGuy wrote:


Hi from Utah, I thought this video explains well what we are trying to do on offense. Good luck to both teams!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yatw8jGCJs
 

Like The Exorcist, I wish I hadn’t watched that. I will try to pull 2 positives from this:

1. If BYU comes out cold, it does not look like they are prepared to grind out a win - they’ll just keep shooting.

2. Maybe the competitive spirits of Jimmy and Dae Dae will win the day. They can trade 3s all afternoon.

During the season, when we have missed, that is when we have lost. I imagine this is true of almost all teams, but certainly of us. I am a season ticket holder and have enjoyed the evolution of this BYU team throughout the season. Everyone knows that we are going to shoot a lot of threes, but I think one thing that has surprised people is how well we rebound. In almost every game, we have outrebounded our opponents, and are very aggressive on the offensive boards. We are also very physical, and that surprises folks. We will be pushing the envelope on D and be up and into your guys throughout the game, making the refs choose pretty quickly how they want to call the game. The games in Provo against Houston and Iowa State and SDSU felt like 20 round boxing matches where each time a shot went up, there was a literal wrestling match. I imagine this game will be very similar with your team's defensive orientation and style. It should be a very fun game.
 

Love this.  Exactly the type of analysis I was mining for.  As to the refs, we enjoyed the same light whistles in our tourney. I would love to see that continue.  Call the hard fouls but let some contact go - let the boys play.  And you can expect at least a couple of fouls while shooting the 3. Our guys are prone to do that.  Should be a fun one. Thanks for showing up on the board and giving us something to chew on.

Men's Basketball » Playing BYU...... » 3/19/2024 11:13 am

Styles1229
Replies: 25

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BYUGuy wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

Since we have some BYU interloping happening, let’s talk strategy. The Dukes strength is strong guard play and a smothering defense. The Dukes like to make everything you do very hard. The guards are experienced and skilled shooters but are apt to go cold at times. The Dukes don’t score in the paint with the regularity that they like but still try to get it into the post. The guards make this team go. Whether driving and dumping to a big for an easy bucket, driving and kicking to the perimeter, or taking it to the rim. Teams have been successful against the Dukes when they blitz the guards and frustrate them

Let us know something about BYU! I haven’t seen them play

Hi from Utah, I thought this video explains well what we are trying to do on offense. Good luck to both teams!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yatw8jGCJs
 

Like The Exorcist, I wish I hadn’t watched that.  I will try to pull 2 positives from this:

1. If BYU comes out cold, it does not look like they are prepared to grind out a win - they’ll just keep shooting.

2. Maybe the competitive spirits of Jimmy and Dae Dae will win the day.  They can trade 3s all afternoon.

Men's Basketball » When Will the Question of Coach's Status Be Addressed » 3/18/2024 9:06 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 126

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indygjm wrote:

I believe Dru deserves the chance to prove himself as a head coach.  I would not look anywhere else.  Phil95 referenced KD's coaching tree which includes Shaka Smart and Lamont Paris.  KD never passes up an opportunity to praise Dru.   That's good enough for me.  Go elsewhere for a high profile coach and you most likely will take a step back for a year or two.  Looking for a big name proven winner?  How about Will Wade?  It wouldn't be the first coach we hired from McNeese State.  But, hires like that can bring a lot of risk.  No thanks.  Stick with Dru.

Why do you believe that there is no/less risk with Dru?  I’m really surprised posters are so gung ho on not entertaining the idea of a higher profile coach. We are in a great spot here. Dru might be a great hire but he’s more risky than a proven commodity that’s for sure. I would contend Jim Feery had a better resume than Dru and we all know how that turned out.

Men's Basketball » Going To Omaha! » 3/18/2024 5:27 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 8

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I land in Omaha at 10:30am on Thursday!!!

Men's Basketball » Playing BYU...... » 3/18/2024 5:26 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 25

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VBC wrote:

Speaking of ice cream, that Millie's ice cream that is available at Cooper Fieldhouse is delicious!  I'm a lover of rich, high end ice cream and Millie's is the absolute best vanilla ice cream that I've ever had.  I've also had their chocolate and cookies & cream which are also great, but the vanilla is best ever to me. 

Do you own Millie’s, VBC??  😂

Men's Basketball » Playing BYU...... » 3/18/2024 5:24 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 25

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Since we have some BYU interloping happening, let’s talk strategy.  The Dukes strength is strong guard play and a smothering defense. The Dukes like to make everything you do very hard. The guards are experienced and skilled shooters but are apt to go cold at times. The Dukes don’t score in the paint with the regularity that they like but still try to get it into the post. The guards make this team go. Whether driving and dumping to a big for an easy bucket, driving and kicking to the perimeter, or taking it to the rim.  Teams have been successful against the Dukes when they blitz the guards and frustrate them

Let us know something about BYU!  I haven’t seen them play

Men's Basketball » When Will the Question of Coach's Status Be Addressed » 3/18/2024 4:34 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 126

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VBC wrote:

When Dru Joyce was hired as associate head coach it seemed apparent to me that he was being put in line as Keith's replacement.  So from my seat behind the Dukes bench I've been watching him to gauge how the players interact with him as well as whatever I can observe.  I see him as a coach who is completely engaged with both the offense and defense during the games and who is liked and respected by the players.  Plus he's got KD's endorsement and that goes a long way with me.

As far as hiring a "well regarded known entity with players" just who do you suggest this could be?  Do you mean a veteran coach from a lower conference like 7 years ago when we hired Keith? Or a recently fired retread like Travis Ford?  I certainly hope you don't mean an alcoholic acquaintance of mine who's older than me and of low integrity.  No, give me Dru, I think he's our best bet for continued success. 

With that being said, if they do go another route I'll be very disappointed but my support for the program and for the new coach will not waiver.

The list is long.  There are many, many up and coming college basketball head coaches who would not have considered Duquesne last week. But, things MAY have changed.  If NIL money rolls in a coach may now see Duquesne as a place to go to get to the NCAA tournament.  I’m not going to name names but just google a list of up and comers. We aren’t hiring someone to resurrect a program anymore. I think DU should consider all options.  Dru would be a great hire. But there may be an exceptional hire out there interested now that wasn’t interested before.

Men's Basketball » STOP CRYING FOR PITT » 3/18/2024 3:58 pm

Styles1229
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coffee wrote:

If Pitt had the guts to respect local traditions and play Duquesne on a neutral court instead of Florida Gulf Coast at home, their out of conference schedule wouldn’t be that far above 300 and they could be going to the Dance too.

So sick of them getting all the local attention and tears from the local sports radio because they carry their games.

KDKA FM’s  “Sports Headlines” are a joke.  I have to turn on WDVE to get a complete report on local sports.

Totally agree. Not to mention, the total lack of knowledge the media heads on 93.7 the Fan have about Duquesne Basketball is not only embarrassing but inexcusable. This is a D1 program with back to back 20 win seasons and they talk about them the way any Joe on the street who knows nothing about the team would.  Pittsburgh is not that big a city with not that many D1 programs - there is no shortage of radio personalities on the Fan so they could at least have somebody with a cursory knowledge of the team, their history, and their current situation that could speak with some standing today. Instead they talk about the Dukes like it was some high school team.  They couldn’t even discuss the past coaches without making idiotic mistakes.  One guy didn’t even know they played in the A10.  I know the Dukes have been irrelevant but Tim Benz is the only sports guy in town who knows anything about them!  When the Pirates have a minor leaguer playing well, they at least have somebody than can bring on to talk about the Altoona Curve. The Fan had nobody.  What a joke.

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - University of Dayton Flyers (A10 Tourney) » 3/15/2024 10:26 am

Styles1229
Replies: 78

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I know we all disagree at times about most things related to Dukes hoops. But there is one thing I think we can ALL agree on - NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY THE DUKES RIGHT NOW.  NOBODY

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - University of Dayton Flyers (A10 Tourney) » 3/14/2024 10:26 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 78

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Probably the most impressive thing about tonight was we won without any other worldly or even beastly performances.  We just beat them. And don’t let anyone say Dayton was “off”. The Dukes made them “off.”  Jake was a beauty tonight. So calm, cool, and collected.  I’ve never seen that kid even smile. Plays like a 5th year senior. Jimmy hitting that late 3 was so stone cold killer. Trey with the big block/held ball.  Then Jacob’s!   I could go on and on. Everybody contributed. One last thing though. And this is coming from a big critic of KD. WHAT A GAME PLAN.  He didn’t double Holmes and that didn’t free up their shooters. It was a bold strategy. And it worked. They had a few wide open looks but we played them tight on the perimeter and they were never able to shoot themselves into a big lead.  I’ll say it:  KD out coached Grant tonight. I’m proud of him.  And seeing him on the bench enjoying the game with the players?  Who WAS that guy?  Just loved every bit of tonight.  That is all for now

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - University of Dayton Flyers (A10 Tourney) » 3/14/2024 10:11 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 78

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NYCDuke wrote:

WOW!

Bought my ticket this morning through Duquesne who didn’t send it until 10 minutes before I had to leave - almost missed seeing that win in person.

Hope to see more Dukes fans in the building on Saturday afternoon!

Let’s Go Dukes!

I’m flying out of the Burg tomorrow at 5p.  Can’t wait!!!

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - Saint Louis University Billikens (A10 Tourney) » 3/13/2024 12:54 pm

Styles1229
Replies: 48

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In year’s past there has always been built in excuses for Dukes teams.  Experience, injuries, poor seed, bad match ups, facing a hot team etc.   None of that applies this year.  Dukes are:

1. Very experienced (5 or more seniors)
2. Very healthy
3. Secured a bye
4. Nice match up
5. Dukes are the hot team

The Dukes have a team built to be successful in a tournament too. They play great defense and they have not one but 2 go-to guys who can take over a game.   The only thing they don’t have going for them is history.  That changes today.

Is it wrong of me to wish some misfortune on Daron Holmes?  Nothing serious, maybe some food poisoning, or Covid exposure?

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - George Washington University Revolutionaries » 3/10/2024 11:14 am

Styles1229
Replies: 33

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CityDuke wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

phil95 wrote:

That was a very hard & glorious to watch game.

Congratulations to coaches & players alike. What a special day for lots of the seniors.

The steal & score sequences that Dae Dae & Jimmy pulled off will stay with me for a long time.

How about the basketball gods show us Dukes fans some mercy by letting the killer defense continue while the offense blossoms next week?

Please post any video you can find on those Grant/Clark steals/dunks.  I was at the game and it was glorious to behold up close but they did not put a replay on the screen that I saw. I’d love to see them again. I canceled my ESPN + subscription and no longer can access any content.

Here is Clark’s. This was fantastic. Loved Grant’s as well. Two winning players making two winning plays.

https://twitter.com/DuqMBB/status/1766567180273873198

Thanks. It was as a great day at the Coop.  Jimmy was so impressive.  I think going head to head with Bishop really got him going.  Trey W played great and Rozier provided exactly what the team needed from him.

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - George Washington University Revolutionaries » 3/10/2024 7:49 am

Styles1229
Replies: 33

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phil95 wrote:

That was a very hard & glorious to watch game.

Congratulations to coaches & players alike. What a special day for lots of the seniors.

The steal & score sequences that Dae Dae & Jimmy pulled off will stay with me for a long time.

How about the basketball gods show us Dukes fans some mercy by letting the killer defense continue while the offense blossoms next week?

Please post any video you can find on those Grant/Clark steals/dunks.  I was at the game and it was glorious to behold up close but they did not put a replay on the screen that I saw. I’d love to see them again. I canceled my ESPN + subscription and no longer can access any content.

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - George Washington University Revolutionaries » 3/10/2024 7:44 am

Styles1229
Replies: 33

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phil95 wrote:

I feel like the officials have let a lot more contact go during this A-10 season as compared to the last 6-8 years. I do not watch enough other college basketball to have an opinion on what is happening in other conferences.

It is a LITTLE bit like the old Big East officiating. I  like it for the game in general & this Dukes team specifically. It goes well with the current defensive plan.

I agree totally.  They let a ton of stuff go yesterday and throughout the season and, for the most part it was even.  Except for that darn Dayton game, at Dayton, when, as soon as the Dukes took the lead late in the game, they took it upon themselves to call a foul on 8 straight possessions for the most minor contact that they had been letting go all game and season … 🤔😀

Men's Basketball » Game Thread - George Washington University Revolutionaries » 3/09/2024 6:25 am

Styles1229
Replies: 33

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Face wrote:

Yeah they decided to drop Colonials a couple years ago, but waited to do it until they settled on a new name.

I like it

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