I am more concerned about the players who want to be here, perhaps this gives Coach D one more slot for a player who comes from a winning program and will be a winner.

Also, does anyone else think it's telling that today Isiaha was officially given his release and nothing regarding the release of Sanders and Lewis II? Seems to suggest after meeting with coaches, Isiaha decided he didn't want to stick around, and the other two did.

All three requested releases at the same time. Why else would one be granted, not the other two? Lewis II has been "liking" tweets that talk about him staying. Including this one from matt Welch, who says Lewis II likes Dambrot:

https://twitter.com/mattwelch_pgh/status/847592638341677056

rittersdiner wrote:

Duques102 wrote:

Also, does anyone else think it's telling that today Isiaha was officially given his release and nothing regarding the release of Sanders and Lewis II? Seems to suggest after meeting with coaches, Isiaha decided he didn't want to stick around, and the other two did.

All three requested releases at the same time. Why else would one be granted, not the other two? Lewis II has been "liking" tweets that talk about him staying. Including this one from matt Welch, who says Lewis II likes Dambrot:

https://twitter.com/mattwelch_pgh/status/847592638341677056

It doesn't matter to me if they all leave. We're wringing our hands over players who got us 10 wins. Besides, isn't Dambrot a great recruiter? Let him recruit then.

The only reason I think it does matter if they all leave is because it could be the difference between a serious rebuilding year and the start of positive momentum right away.

Just because the team won 10 games last year doesn't mean there aren't guys who could help if they stay. Dambrot should be able to bring in good recruits, your right. But it would be nice to have some kind of foundation to build on with the future guys.

At the end of he day, I don't want anyone to stay who doesn't want to be here.

Last edited by Duques102 (4/02/2017 6:12 pm)

Would you rather have the roster for next year all come back and the recruiting class of 2017 intact ready to come to duquesne with ferry as their coach or would  you rather have a roster with a few players leaving
and the 2017 recruiting class gone with Dambrot.? We need  a fresh look.
Good luck to whoever leaves as in the long run Dambrot is getting it done. I want to see a team that plays
hard,plays defense, rebounds ,and doesnt wilt at the end of games.Just play hard isnt good enough,creating a family type atmospere isnt good enough.Solid D,fundamentals,toughness is.
Would rather have Dambrot players develop and shape the program and be patient than watch players
talents stagnate hoping to win with Ferry.

 

phil95 wrote:

Ike Mike has as much if not more upside than any freshman in the A-10. He has a body & skill set that could translate to being a second round draft pick if he blows up as a sophomore & junior. 3 & D wings are hit commodities in the NBA & he fits the bill.

While losing him is not tragic, keeping him (and Lewis) would likely be THE recruiting coup of Dambrot's first 2 or 3 classes. He is substantially better than any recruit DU is linked to for 2017 year's graduating high school crop & finding a transfer of his value with 3 years of remaining eligibilty is an impossibility for Duquesne.

Perhaps most importantly, he showed great enthusiasm & solid maturity every game of what had to have been a very difficult freshman season.

Please, please stay Ike Mike & help make Duquesne great again.

If keeping Ike and Mike is the highlight of Dambrot's first couple recruiting classes, then we have major problems.

 

CLK wrote:

rittersdiner, no offense but it seems like the only bring negative comments to this Board.  Are you really Zeise in disguise?  

Shhhh!

Anybody notice that Josh Williams from Akron is transferring to Robert Morris?  Kind of a weird turn of events

CLK wrote:

rittersdiner, no offense but it seems like the only bring negative comments to this Board.  Are you really Zeise in disguise?  

He'll disappear once the team starts winning.
 

ElDuque wrote:

I'm sorry to see I-Mike go if he follows through with his transfer. I was hoping the Mike and Mike Show would run four years and result in a couple A10 championships.

​Mike Lewis is a key player for DU next year. Eric James can make up partially for the loss of I-Mike (shame that a whole year of this kid's talent was wasted), and Sanders should show more development under Coach Dambrot than he did his first two years. Smith and Castro, and a year-older Littleson, give us good backcourt depth, but I like the idea that Coach Dambrot is recruiting at these positions. No matter how good your players are, you should always try to recruit better. Worst it gives you is depth.

Will be interesting to see Jordan Robinson this year. I think with some work and polish he can be a serviceable big man. duq81 has likened his potential development to that of Fred Moon. Would love to see that type of senior year production. Robinson's a big, sturdy guy; Moon was 6-9 and 190 pounds soaking wet.

Yeah, it's OK to be a glass half full or a glass half empty person at this point, but no need to break the glasses.

​LOI season is coming. Season is six months off. We've got a nice wave of momentum with the signing of Coach Dambrot and the clear signals that President Gormley, AD Harper and the new staff are truly committed to winning.

 

 
Good luck to I. Mike.  As Coach D said, players have to do what they think is best for them.  Sometimes it works out (McConnel) and sometimes it doesn't (Gill).  I guess time will tell.  Coaching the talent you have, and maximizing it, makes a good coach.  Coach D has built his reputation and his team's on maximizing his talent, so it wouldn't surprise me that we see a great deal of improvement from guys like Robinson and James.  Keeping Lewis is huge.  He is more than a talent, he is a leader.  Him buying in can be the difference in lessening the pain of rebuilding...similar to how AJax (recruited by Nee) helped lead RE's teams back to relevance during his time.  Exciting times for Dukes fans!

stew wrote:

Would you rather have the roster for next year all come back and the recruiting class of 2017 intact ready to come to duquesne with ferry as their coach or would  you rather have a roster with a few players leaving
and the 2017 recruiting class gone with Dambrot.? We need  a fresh look.
Good luck to whoever leaves as in the long run Dambrot is getting it done. I want to see a team that plays
hard,plays defense, rebounds ,and doesnt wilt at the end of games.Just play hard isnt good enough,creating a family type atmospere isnt good enough.Solid D,fundamentals,toughness is.
Would rather have Dambrot players develop and shape the program and be patient than watch players
talents stagnate hoping to win with Ferry.
 

The 2017 - 18 may not be as talented as it would have been under coach Ferry but I can say with a virtual certainty that they will be better coached.
 

Hate to see Isaiah Mike go but again its better to look at the big picture. I would much rather have what we have now without Mike then have him and have to deal with Jim Ferry.

Freak athlete but again...turns the ball over a ton and is not consistent. He will hopefully work on those weakness for the rest of his career and I wish him the best. I think we are truly blessed to have Mike Lewis come back. He is a winner, a leader, and a unbelievable basketball player. 

Agree with almost everyone on here. Have to look long term. I will trade Isaiah Mike for Keith Dambrot any day of the week!! There is no other way to look at this. Sure, would love to have them both but looks like that won't happen. A year or two down the road this will most likely be a moot point.
GO DUKES!!!