Big Man - I like - need a veteran PG and I like this team’s makeup

https://x.com/hoopsnut351/status/1918122111131943267?s=46&t=xeUiwQII1BSP5UpjZNY3rA

Charleston transfer Stef van Bussel has committed to Duquesne.

The 6’10” redshirt sophomore center never suited up for the Cougars and redshirted this season.

Bussel previously played at Saint Louis where he averaged 1.6 points, and 2.6 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season.

https://x.com/verbalcommits/status/1912584587513057396?s=46&t=xeUiwQII1BSP5UpjZNY3rA

https://x.com/verbalcommits/status/1912584319580926378?s=46&t=xeUiwQII1BSP5UpjZNY3rA

Nothing huge just trying to keep track like everyone

Wish him well and nothing but the best for Kareem. Such a great representative of Duquesne University and their Men's Basketball Team. The wife and I were able to meet him in person in Omaha after their BYU win and he was so gracious and took a picture with us.  Just a great person.

On the basketball side, I think it will be good for both Duquesne and Kareem.  We have all discussed his shortcomings.  If he could have been a better driver to the hoop or a knockdown shooter it would have helped.  

We knew some players were going to enter the portal.  I am excited to see what is out there for a big, experienced PG.  

Does anyone know if Brandan Hall is a PG?

DePaul November 15th - @DePaul 

https://x.com/DePaulHoops/status/1821567053150470392

 

https://x.com/VerbalCommits/status/1805125125311713468

https://x.com/mar1Witherspoon/status/1805045527156781476

Duquesne, VCU, Virginia Tech and West Virginia offered 2025 St. John's (DC) G Omari Witherspoon. also looks like Butler, Richmond, George Washington have offered.

lakersnixon wrote:

The longer it goes without one of these guys committing the less likely it is one of them will commit.  KD used to get these guys to commit pretty quickly as he was a closer. I have heard Terry Weigand and another coach were fired.  This means there is a new group in charge of these visits and the pitch.  Terry seemed very experienced, the kids liked him, and he could relate to parents.  If this is true that two coaches were fired, this is a disappointment.

I agree that would be a disappointment.  I got to meet Terry a few times this past year and he was extremely personable and knowledgeable.  I wish they would update the fanbase regarding the coaching staff as I brought this up last week or two weeks ago on a post.  I was and am big fans of Rick McFadden and Terry Weigand.

https://x.com/VerbalCommits/status/1775951487505694796?s=20

CLK wrote:

Nice job Townson and Luckymcd.  Perfect!

Thank you!  I was trying this morning while working!  Cannot wait to follow these next couple of weeks.  I might join that one website transferpotal for $4.99 a month and just do April/May to follow - I'll probably do that next week when I expect this to even heat up some more

I pulled the trigger - me, my wife and good friend are going.

Let me know where everyone is sitting and staying!

Let's go Dukes!

PistolPete wrote:

Biggest win in a long, long time.  Happy for KD and the kids.  Good for program, and just a stellar performance.  Agree about some of the foul calls, they gave Holmes a few that didn't happen on Dixon.  Let's enjoy this, Saturday against Schmidt will be tough, need the D to stay on their shooters, no surprises with either team at this point.  Met a younger guy Dukes fan/alum at Brush Creek dive bar in Warrendale - shout out to you buddy!!

Pistol - it was great meeting you at Brush Creek and talking Duquesne Hoops last Saturday!  Always great to talk Duquesne Hoops!  Hopefully we run into each other again soon!

I cannot describe the feelings after last night.  Just amazing.  Everyone is just playing their role so well.  The emotions and everything has been amazing to follow this tournament.  

Being at the game last night and all game this season I have been open-minded to the different players playing but we are now at the point in the season where I believe we now who should be playing and who shouldn't.

The best lineup last night.  And it was on the court at the end and I believe the one stretch where Duquesne went up 29-21 or 28-21
     Trae Clark
     Dae Dae
     DiMichiele
     F. Drame
     Dixon

Duquesne's offense I believe runs more smooth without Kareem Rozier.  He just doesn't have the height to play 25-30 minutes a game.  I am fine with him coming off the bench and giving 10-12/per game and that is it.  Trae and Dae Dae were fine running the point and just gives Duquesne a different look with a bigger point guard.  I am open to Kareem is he actually shot well or drove to the hoop but he doesn't.

I am fine with Dixon not starting if it allows him to calm down and not foul right away.  He should then be first off the bench.  Start either Dusan or Tre Williams.

I thought Savrasov gave quality minutes and I could see him continuing that.  My main take is Kareem (and I love his passion and energy, not knocking the kid) just does not have the physical attributes to play as many minutes as he was.  DiMichele being 6'4 with Grant and Clark is a better fit for A-10 play.

CLK wrote:

Bsduq208, Savrasov's play is a mystery to me.  His confidence seems to have taken a hit as he struggles to understand his role.  I guess the same could be said of the Drame twins.  Maybe some may disagree but to me these guys have all the tools to be really good players.  Savrasov is at his best when he takes the ball strong to the rack but needs to finish more consistently.  Again, the same could be said of the Drames. I could be wrong, but I think these guys will improve when and if Dambrot defines their roles.

I like Necas, but to me he needs to be more aggressive in driving the ball until he develops his three point shooting. Hei is a future star for the Dukes along with DiMichele.

Agreed - Savrasov some times looks so refined and good.  He has some strong moves to the hoop but he lacks the finish.  His play is a complete mystery to me.  And I might be overthinking it.  Same with Drames - agree again with you I just love their length on defense and their rebounding.  

I don't think Duquesne needs much - if those (3) combined could get 14 pts and 10 boards a game that would be fine with me.

Agree with Necas - he seems a little lost of the offensive side.  Such a big body already - really think he can be a star if he gains confidence on offense.  

It is so frustrating - I believe they have so many good pieces but they don't seem to be meshing together.  It is just so strange to me.  

I am no basketball coach or expert but I thought the difference in the Dayton game were two items.
1.)  Shooting the ball
2.)  Coaching.

If Duquesne shots the 3-ball half decent it is a one possession game.  I do not understand Coach Dambrot's subs during the game.  Beginning of 2nd half Tre Williams starts and makes two great moves down low and makes both baskets and around the 16:41 mark is taken out of the game.  Do not understand why.

Jake DiMichele is playing very very well - why didnt we see him more in the rotation during non-confernece?

Listening to post-game press conference, to me, it is frustrating to hear Coach say he pretty much has no idea of a rotation and who to play coming off the bench.  That is what non-conference is for.  I understand we had 2 key injuries to Williams and Mahoric but we should have a better feel of rotation.

Andrei Savrasov has been a disappointment for me.  He lacks aggression of a 5th year player - we needed him or one of the Drames to step up at the 4 spot and that has not occurred.

I am 50/50 on Rozier, cannot figure him out.  I think the lineup is better with him coming off the bench.  I think Duquesne is at their best with this possibly:
PG:  Clark
SG:  Grant
SF:  Drame
PF:  Williams
C:  Dixon

I personally like the bigger lineup over the smaller lineup, especially in A-10 play.  Rozier, DiMichele, Mahoric, Barre and other Drame coming off bench.  

Just some random thoughts.