19 wins.  I'm being optimistic.  Also, Phoenix, I hope we will see an improvement in defense with the extra length at the guard positions.  Time will tell.  

If your defensive positioning is 6 to 8 feet from a shooter, it doesn't matter if you're 5-10 or 6-2, the open look is there. I've seen too much of that from a Ferry coached team. Ferry's philosophy seems to be focused on limiting dribble drive penetration and making entry passes into the post more difficult. Thus, you see the Dukes' guards sagging quite a bit; with little or no ball pressure - a very passive defense. It could be that this was dictated by the lack of defensive skill from the guards he had (although I thought that Colter was a better on the ball defender vs sag/zone defender). I think this team will still continue to struggle with defense from the #2 guard, but I believe that Tarin Smith has a high quality defensive skill set. Whether we see that skill or not rests on the coaching staff - both philosophical (increase defensive pressure) and motivational (reward defense with playing time).

Last edited by PhoenixRising2 (10/11/2016 8:56 pm)

Simms wrote:

ElDuque wrote:

Wow. I give you guys credit to have the courage of your convictions at this stage.

We have two returning starters, one of whom (James) may be bumped to 6th man. Three guys who never played together or for the Dukes might be the team's top scoring options (Smith, Blackman, Abrahamson). Two young big men (Sanders, Mike) might force their way into the starting lineup. Castro is still a wild card.

Since my head isn't ready to do this yet (maybe by the deadline), I'll go with my heart:
10-3 OOC, including a win over Pitt
10-8 A-10
2-1 in the A-10 tournament

20-11 before and 22-12 after the A-10s. We're tuned into ESPN on a Sunday night, and with a couple good wins on our schedule, we dance.

Subject to further review...

If this happens, I promise I will buy every member of this message board a drink before a game the following season, or at the Big Dance game since I would almost certainly go.  

I have a standing bet with my guy over at Alumni relations for a steak dinner at the location of the Dukes first round tournament game. He's paying because of the size of the checks I will finally be writing  :-)  My only hope is that I am still able to eat solid food at that point 
 

president wrote:

Hate to do this but here goes.
9-4 OOC
7-11 A10
1-1 A10 tournament
1-1 CBI or something like it.
18-17 Overall
I do hope I am dead wrong!! This is with my head, not my heart.

We are not counting post season games.  Just through A10 tourney. :-)
 
 

Phildog wrote:

KenOTR73 wrote:

Ah, the optimism runs rampant in late September. To quote Gordon Lightfoot "That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed. When the gales of November came early".  ​Like FAM, I have been a skeptic these last few years. Too many unknowns to jump on the bandwagon just yet.
9-4 OOC, including a win over Pitt
8-10 in the A-10
1-1 in the A-10 tournament

18-15 overall

 

 
Ken,

Back in the days when the Edmund Fitzgerald was a popular radio hit, I was a young traveling salesmen with long hair a little over my ears and a Duquesne Fan who never saw the collapse coming, dropping to the bottom with DAP, Nee and Company.

Ferry seems to be bringing in better players , but the constant turnover of good players and unfulfilled potential on others has disappointed. But I never seem to give up, btw, I always enjoy when you post.

Likewise, Phil! Hope springs eternal!
 

This is what we have "On The Record" so far.  As it stands right now, the average  is 18.5 (call it 19) wins.  At 19 wins, or even 18 wins, there is no way the Dukes finish 13th in the League.    

CLK 20
Phildog 17
Mulder 21
Dukes2012 19
ElDuque 22
President 17
yak-rbc 15
heelsdukesfan 17
FAM 16
scduke 19
duq81 19
currentstudent 16
Econ69 14
KenOTR73 18
VBC 25
Phil95 21
WashPaRick 15
applecorps 20
Duques102 24
PhoenixRising2 16
Simms 19
bummer3341 19
PistolPete 17
grammudder 19
HookShot 19

Anybody else?  You can change your prediction up to November 4th, after that you are officially On The Record.  
 

A no expense paid trip to McKeesport, I'm in.

​10 wins OOC, 10 wins Conf. and 3 wins A10 Tourney---Total 23.

fjhryn wrote:

I would love to see 20, but after 50 years as a season ticket holder, I think 16 is the best to expect. I hope I'm wrong on the short end!

 
After 50 years, you are overdue for a pleasant surprise, and it's looking pretty likely to happen!

Still time to Get On The Record.  

ElDuque wrote:

Wow. I give you guys credit to have the courage of your convictions at this stage.

We have two returning starters, one of whom (James) may be bumped to 6th man. Three guys who never played together or for the Dukes might be the team's top scoring options (Smith, Blackman, Abrahamson). Two young big men (Sanders, Mike) might force their way into the starting lineup. Castro is still a wild card.

Since my head isn't ready to do this yet (maybe by the deadline), I'll go with my heart:
10-3 OOC, including a win over Pitt
10-8 A-10
2-1 in the A-10 tournament

20-11 before and 22-12 after the A-10s. We're tuned into ESPN on a Sunday night, and with a couple good wins on our schedule, we dance.

Subject to further review...

 
Official with my head prediction:

7-6 OOC
7-11 A10
One and done in A10

14-18 all together.

Rooting for my heart.

17

9-4 OOC
7-11 A10
1-1

Not quite ready for prime time, but young guys will show enough that we'll be very high next year this time.

There need to be better coaching choices here than we had yesterday at the polls. So far, the choices on election day "trump" the basketball choices made which is sad indeed!