Hook Shot, thank you for posting this information as it is very helpful.

I don't know when this became the mission, because as anyone who was around during the Brian Colleary years, this was not in place or adhered to.  I won't get into the Colleary debacle but let's say that the appropriate changes in how athletics is overseen has changed for the best.  It was also during the Colleary years where I had the opportunity to get to know Dan Durkin, when he was our women's head coach.  I don't think I have ever met a more honorable individual and representative of Duquesne than Dan.  He was an exceptional individual, but by the same token, the women's program was not moving in a positive direction.  I fully believe that it was time to move on and that led us to Suzie McConnell-Serio.  

I do agree with everything that has been posted as the mission statement, but where I will go to the section of RELENTLESS COMPETITORS: We continue to attract and retain top-performing coaches, staff and student-athletes to consistently elevate our performance on the field, court, track and in the pool.

I believe this section is open to interpretation, especially when we define "top-performing" coaches and staff.  I don't see anything that is specific in defining what constitutes as "top-performing", but at the end of the day, the one criteria that can measured is success which is stated at the end - elevating performance on the court.  The criteria ultimately comes down to wins and losses.

My point of contention is that we didn't have superior coaching that elevated performance on the court this year and as evidence, I point to the fact that in A10 play, we finished in 9th place.  We also had the best player in the league, one who is a once in a generation-type player in Meg McConnell.  The fact that she didn't win A10 POY is because of that 9th place finish.  

So going back to the mission statement, our coaching st

Thanks for the comments, but I don’t understand your point that I somehow shut down discussion with my “tone” and I don’t recall ever stating that anything to the effect that “I must be right” if no one posts a different point of view.  That has never been my intention with my posts.
 
My whole approach has been to bring discussion to this forum, which for the most part had little interest in the women’s team.  For most of the season, there was very little activity or discussion.  I am a “basketball junkie” and have become increasingly frustrated with the direction of the women’s program, and since this is the only forum where we do discuss our team, I post my observations.
 
By no means am I an expert, nor do I feel that I am shutting down discussion.  In fact, I have stated on multiple occasions that I welcome more discussion and hope that others would be willing to join in.  I’ve stated my background as it relates to the foundation for the points I am trying to make.  I try to be precise with the level of detail so that it is easily understood by those who wish to comment on my analysis and observations.  I don’t think it is beneficial to anyone to just make a generic, negative comment without backing it up with evidence to why the comment was made.  I want to provide as much detail so that anyone who reads the message is informed and understands why I am making the statement to begin with.
 
 

FAM, I disagree.

We led by 13 early in 2nd half.  This was a huge opportunity lost and we should have won this game.  We didn't win because our offense stopped being aggressive, we made no adjustments and as we did all year, we passed the ball on the perimter.  

We had no idea of how to attack the zone, the player at the foul line was not ready to do anything with the ball.  Outside of the two cuts to the hoop, we just stood around and passed the ball on the perimter while the shot clock wound down.  

The game was won because CSU attacked the basket in the 4th quarter and drew fouls.  If you don't drive the paint, you can't draw a foul.  We were too passive in the 2nd half, CSU was not.

This comes down to coaching.  One coach figured out how to have his team beat the defense and the other coach made no adjustments despite having a lead most of the game.  

Dukes up 1, 47-46 mid-quarter timeout.

We are in trouble - CSU attacked the basket, we fouled and they got into the bonus with 6 mins left.  Again, we are indecisiive and pass the ball around the perimter with no threat of a dribble-drive.  CSU has all of the momentum and going to the line...again.

Mid-quarter timeout, Dukes up only 3.

Browne back in the game.  We are stuck on offense, passing the ball along the perimter and each player seems to be afraid to do anything.  It looks to me CSU is about to run us off the floor.  Don't understand what is being said in these timeouts, but we are playing scared for some reason.  Passing around the perimter is playing into CSU's defensive gameplan.

Dukes up 11 at half, 29-18.

Want to see the Dukes to be more decisive when we get the ball at the foul line.  You need to act quickly - shoot or drive and the ball is getting stuck and we are allowing CSU to react and defend.

Cleveland State post player picks up 3rd foul early 2nd, as Dukes lead by 10.

 

I hate seeing Rozier leave, because his team leadership is going to be missed.  Yes, his size was a problem at times this year, but I like his overall game and ability to knock down the open 3 when he took it.  He will be missed next year, but I hope he lands somewhere that allows him to continue to flourish on the court.  Best of luck to Kareem!

FYI, it looks to me that Brandon Hall is more of a shooting guard, not a true PG.  I love his size at 6-4 and look forward seeing what he can do next year.  

The team came out hot from outside and set the tone with great defense, active hands and despite being at a disadvantage in size, the team played outstanding on defense.  We forced a lot of turnovers with active hands, especially on Miami's drives to the hoop, getting deflections and steals.

Offensively, we took advantage of the open floor that was the result of successfully hitting 3's in the first half.  I have said repeatedly, attack the paint and in the 2nd half, we did so with purpose.  We spread the floor and attacked and this is what I have been calling for, instead of passing along the perimeter, we need to use the paint to our advantage and that was done in the 2nd half. 

I also want to point to the outstanding use of personnel today through substitutions!!  I have been very critical with my view of the use of the bench and substitution patterns by Burt, but today, especially in the 2nd half, he made the right moves, going offense-defense with Browne was necessary as her presence on the floor made a difference.  Miami still attempted to post up our guards, but the defense was great today and a main reason for Miami's struggles inside.

Great execution by the players, great moves by the coaching staff, so giving the credit it where it is due, this was one of the best in-game coaching efforts by Burt!

HUGE block by Faith Walker!

Brown is going to have to be careful, can't afford to get her into deep foul trouble in 2nd half.  We are clearly forced to play small and I expect Miami to look to exploit that size advantage and target Brown and look to get her into foul trouble.

I hate that Brown is playing outisde and shooting 3's.  I want her on the block ready to receive the pass, where she can make a post move or pass outside for an open look or feed a cutter.  If Miami is going to double Brown on the block, we nned to have someone cut to the hoop.  

I loved the drive by Walker as that seems to be one of the few times we have looked to exploit the paint, instead of dribbling through it looking for a 3.

I expect Miami to double Brown in 2nd half when she is on the block, but if she's at the top of the offense, Miami will wall us up on the perimeter.  We can't expect to hit the 3 with the same success in 2nd half.

I will state this, I don't believe I have attacked you personally, but you clearly made every effort to belittle me when I brought up the time I spent as a team manager. [REDACTED BY MODERATION] I spent 4 years of my college education DEDICATED to Duquesne men's basketball.  And that was pretty much a year-round job.  Along with the other managers with me and before me, we spent a of time in the old gym preparing the team and coaches for practice.  And when practice ended, we cleaned up the locker room and washed the team's practice gear, while attending to the coaches locker and coaching office as well.  I and the other managers before me and with me, would run up from the old gym to try and get some dinner before they closed the dining hall.  

I gave up a lot of personal time during my college years because I dedicated myself to the basketball team, the coaches, the Athletic Department administration and the unversity itself.  I do not post this looking for any thank-you's or pats on the back, and I thought long and hard to even make mention of it, but I felt it was important to further explain the detailed level of analysis I was provding.  I didn't want people to view my criticism of Burt without understanding the full level of my own personal exprience that I do know what I am talking about.  I was not a coach, but I was in practice every day and I worked with coaches with filming and film acquisition and had numerous conversations with coaches outside of practice about basketball strategy. 

You seemed to think my lived experience was worth belittling and you clearly had a chip on your shoulder that made you want to discredit me.

Here is your rant:
[i][b][color=#000000]So I guess EVERYONE (student Managers, Trainers, etc)  ARE qualified to make lengthy posts about strategies, playing time etc.  I said YOU . Where did I disrepect anyone else??  By placing them ALL in your post are you implying that they all carry equal weight??  As for Disrespe

SkepticAl wrote:

DU90 wrote:

SkepticAl wrote:

There is a quote Coaches who listen to the Fans - May Soon Be Joining Them.   And whatever role you had back then presuming you were NOT a Coach --  You're in THAT CATEGORY!!!!!

You know Al, you have just disrespected everyone who has ever been involved in the Duquesen basketball program, with your statement...that includes every player, coach, trainer, student manager, and student trainer.  Pure class Al, pure class.  

 
So I guess EVERYONE (student Managers, Trainers, etc)  ARE qualified to make lengthy posts about strategies, playing time etc.  I said YOU . Where did I disrepect anyone else??  By placing them ALL in your post are you implying that they all carry equal weight??  As for Disrespecting COACHES --  WHAT do you call it when in EVERY POST you find something negative manner.about Dan.
 

You mad bro?  You want to come at me, bring it on. 

Do you realize how silly you have sounded throughout this thread?  Reminding you of this gem: 
You CAPITALIZE WINNING GAMES --  When I point out Dan is Superior to Satalin in this you sprout the above NONSENSE.

So, the "nonsense" you claimed I spouted was that I correctly pointed out the women's team's finish in A10 conference league play: 9th, 10th, 10th, 5th and 9th.  That is reality - you can look it up yourself.  And, it is FACT.

Just curious, what do you think is the reason why coaches get fired?  I will tell you, it is WINNING GAMES.  Example, last year Kevin Keatts was about to get fired, and then his team had a miracle run, won the ACC tournament and then advanced to the Final Four.  This year, his team didn't qualify for the ACC tournament and he was fired.  If you don't think winning games is the reason why coaches are fired, then I don't know what to say to you.

Now getting back to you attacking me, because you hate what I post here, I ask you this question, have you read anything tha