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Stranger things have happened. Let's beat St. Louis on the road and begin thinking about an NCAA at-large bid, as improbable as it might sound. Seriously. This squad has grit and — if last Saturday's stunning triple overtime come-from-behind victory against the Explorers was any indication — refuses to lose. I truly believe that you are not too far off when you suggest that KD is the best coach in the country! There are many outstanding coaches around the NCAA and some great programs but KD has less to work with than many of the coaches out there and has to be as good or better than them to compete. How much more basketball does Coach K know than Coach D? Probably not any! I like your enthusiasm, but with our RPI and teams left on our schedule we would probably need to win them all and play for the Championship to even be considered. Best bet is to lay low and then win the A-10 Tourney and the bid. Shrewd observation, President — and well said. I like your enthusiasm, but with our RPI and teams left on our schedule we would probably need to win them all and play for the Championship to even be considered. Best bet is to lay low and then win the A-10 Tourney and the bid. Perhaps, but I'm not sure about laying low. Let's try to win the A-10 regular season outright by stunning URI and then double down in Atlantic City. These guys believe in themselves — and can make it happen. I like your enthusiasm, but with our RPI and teams left on our schedule we would probably need to win them all and play for the Championship to even be considered. Best bet is to lay low and then win the A-10 Tourney and the bid. People who think we could get an large bid, don't know how the system works. The Dukes basically indicated that they knew we had no chance at that when they set up the schedule. The soft schedule was the right choice, and it's paying dividends now. Dream of winning in DC in March. That could happen, an at large bid will not. I am definitely a glass half full person. Drive some friends nuts with positive outlook on everything. Having said that, when looking at our schedule, especially road games at St. Bonnie, RIU, even St. Joes, UMass, and tomorrow night at St. Louis, and don't forget Davidson and Bonnies here, it seems like a huge task to even break even. With thirteen games remaining on our schedule, if we go 7-6, I will be thrilled beyond belief. Am I being too negative here? Don't know. Forgot about Dayton on the road. Anyone think that's going to be a cake walk!! A few more wins and the Dukes are playing in the CBI, a great achievement for a first year coach and such a depleted team to start the year. That is probably our likely resting place. Let's just take them one at a time! Hope for a road win at St Louis! That is our only priority at this time. I am definitely a glass half full person. Drive some friends nuts with positive outlook on everything. Having said that, when looking at our schedule, especially road games at St. Bonnie, RIU, even St. Joes, UMass, and tomorrow night at St. Louis, and don't forget Davidson and Bonnies here, it seems like a huge task to even break even. With thirteen games remaining on our schedule, if we go 7-6, I will be thrilled beyond belief. Am I being too negative here? Don't know. The next three games are very winnable. Need to win at least 2, and hopefully all three. Do that, and a winning season will be all but assured. Then you can start dreaming about winning at Dayton, or beating Bona I am in the one game at a time camp, too many things can happen like an injury or upset loss. Agree totally Phil. I love the enthusiasm but we have to still take one at a time. Dreaming is great but remember how modest our expectations were to start the year. Lots of good talent to face even in a down conference year. I can only care about St. Louis right now. Would need 20something wins and single digit losses in order to be considered. I think we would get a pass since its been 40 years since we made it. People will be like "hey, its Duquesne out of no where, or Syracuse who everyone knows and is sick of". We might get the nod. Would need 20something wins and single digit losses in order to be considered. I think we would get a pass since its been 40 years since we made it. People will be like "hey, its Duquesne out of no where, or Syracuse who everyone knows and is sick of". We might get the nod. Yes, I have thought the same thing about us getting close: Last edited by Tejas_Duke (1/17/2018 10:55 am) As KD indicated in an interview, all coaches take a look at their team's schedule early on and put a circle around the games they believe they can win. That's basically what I did and am still doing. No harm in that since I am not a participant and my looking ahead doesn't influence the team. As long as the team stays away form it! The only game for them is the one they are playing now. Totally agree with that thinking! A lot of you guys must have received your medical marijuana cards (or live in a recreational state). A lot of you guys must have received your medical marijuana cards (or live in a recreational state). LOL! The Dukes have no shot at an at large bid, none. I think the worst at large rpi ever was around 80. Short of winning out, we won't come close to that. Was in the Green Dragon in Aspen, CO awhile back where they sell marijuana in any form you can think of. Did not buy anything so am on this board chemically unimpaired! Do believe that the team can get to 20 wins on the season one way or another though. CBI highly likely. A lot of you guys must have received your medical marijuana cards (or live in a recreational state). LOL! The Dukes have no shot at an at large bid, none. I think the worst at large rpi ever was around 80. Short of winning out, we won't come close to that. I looked it up. It's even worse than I thought. 67 is the lowest ever. A lot of you guys must have received your medical marijuana cards (or live in a recreational state). LOL! The Dukes have no shot at an at large bid, none. I think the worst at large rpi ever was around 80. Short of winning out, we won't come close to that. I looked it up. It's even worse than I thought. 67 is the lowest ever. Plus, I'm pretty sure losing at home to rmu and Cornell is a direct disqualifier! The only way we are getting in is if we win the A10 tourney so let's focus our energy on getting a double bye in the tournament. I looked it up. It's even worse than I thought. 67 is the lowest ever. Plus, I'm pretty sure losing at home to rmu and Cornell is a direct disqualifier! The only way we are getting in is if we win the A10 tourney so let's focus our energy on getting a double bye in the tournament. Yeah sad that, as Steve mentioned on his post at TPOP, a win is a win and a loss is a loss, no matter who it's against or other circumstances. RPI sees a loss against an abysmal ACC team, a decent #16 Seed League team and a mediocre Ivy. It doesn't notice that we only had 7 or 8 guys available. Just like if we pull the upset in St. Louis tonight, it won't notice that three of their best players are out, pending a sexual misconduct investigation. -Only way for us to the NCAA is to win the tournament Last edited by FAM (1/17/2018 6:20 pm) Plus, I'm pretty sure losing at home to rmu and Cornell is a direct disqualifier! The only way we are getting in is if we win the A10 tourney so let's focus our energy on getting a double bye in the tournament. Yeah sad that, as Steve mentioned on his post at TPOP, a win is a win and a loss is a loss, no matter who it's against or other circumstances. RPI sees a loss against an abysmal ACC team, a decent #16 Seed League team and a mediocre Ivy. It doesn't notice that we only had 7 or 8 guys available. Just like if we pull the upset in St. Louis tonight, it won't notice that three of their best players are out, pending a sexual misconduct investigation. Here is a link to the piece Tejas references:
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Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
Although it's much sooner — far, far sooner, as a matter of fact — than any of us expected, forty years has been long enough.
Keith Dambrot and his well-coached and improving Dukes could miraculously put us in the Big Dance. At 14-5 and 5-1 in the A-10, Duquesne could begin to be part of the national conversation — a potential "bubble team."
What's more, we arguably have the best coach in the country — a guy who knows what it takes to get to the Promised Land!
After four decades of misery, we've all grown accustomed to disappointment, but this could be our chance — an opportunity none of us ever expected.
I'm looking forward to next year's team and a more experienced team the following year and beyond, but I'm not willing to give up on the guys currently working their tails off to bring respectability back to what was once one of this country's proudest and most successful college basketball programs.
LET'S GO DUQUESNE!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
I've been waiting since 1977 for this moment, when as a 21-year-old I took my two younger brothers and one of their friends to the entire three-day Eastern Eight Tournament at the Spectrum in Philadelphia when the lowly but feisty 12-14 Dukes, led by flu-ridden Norm Nixon, stunned everybody and earned a hard-fought trip to the NCAA tournament.
It can happen again!
Keith Dambrot is the closest thing to a miracle worker in college basketball. We're lucky to have him at the helm.
Let's Go Duquesne! •
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
levon1975 wrote:
There's been way, way too much negativity surrounding Duquesne basketball.
It's time to believe again!
Let's Go Duquesne! •
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
levon1975 wrote:
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
As other have pointed out ridiculously easy OOC probably puts the NIT out of reach even if we win at least one game in the A-10 tourney.
We basically have to win the A-10 Tourney (not saying that couldn't happen but still) to go to the Dance this year. But from what I have seen, the Dukes can stand with anyone in the League, so far. The proof will be the Rhode Island game on the road. They stay close, or God willing, upset Rhode Island, then all bets are off
Vicimus Atlanticum decem
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
president wrote:
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
These kids now know how to win and need not look beyond Wed. Night and ML II homecoming.
Look what happened to the Rooney U. Team Sunday.
A diehard fan since 1961
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
Or might not.
But lets enjoy the ride either way.
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
townsonkid wrote:
Or might not.
But lets enjoy the ride either way.
Hypothetical: Dukes finish regular season 23-9 (and let's include a St. Bonneventure upset for a 12-6 conference record) and then pull a 2009 and make it the conference finals against Rhode Island, losing a good game.
I feel the selection committee would have to give us some weight. You know that with the popularity of the tournament, the first week often includes the "stories." One of the big reasons people tune into March Madness is to see David slay Goliath and things that help the narrative can fuel this. A team with a rich, nearly forgotten history, LeBron's high school coach, a 10 win time that more than doubled it's win total, forty years in the wilderness, I can hear Tim Brando talking about these things now. Not to mention Dick Vitale (I know a lot of people here don't like him, but for now pipe down) on ESPN's selection show gushing about "Duquesne-Babeeeeee!"
Things like that have to figure into the calculus, in addition to our crummy RPI and awful OOC schedule. Casual fans would rather see Duquesne take the floor for the first time since bell bottoms rather than an 8-9 game between the 10th ACC team vs. the eighth Big Ten team.
In fact I have a theory on the "12-5" upset, an occurrence that is so common, it's happened all but two tourneys in the last 25 years. When they are seeding teams, I firmly believe they take teams that should be 6 and maybe even 7 ranked teams and make them fives, while taking 10 and 11 ranked teams and make them 12s! Why? Because it makes for scintillating television and a better narrative.
Just like Duquesne's magical season after forty years in the wilderness!
Go Dukes, keep the dream alive.
Vicimus Atlanticum decem
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
PhoenixRising2 wrote:
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
duq81 wrote:PhoenixRising2 wrote:
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
duq81 wrote:duq81 wrote:PhoenixRising2 wrote:
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
Dukes2012 wrote:duq81 wrote:duq81 wrote:
LOL! The Dukes have no shot at an at large bid, none. I think the worst at large rpi ever was around 80. Short of winning out, we won't come close to that.
Vicimus Atlanticum decem
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
-Most of us hated that our only possibility of a tournament in the past was the CBI... just saying
-I am hoping if we get to the last four of the A10 tournament that we have a shot at the NIT
-Coach D said he wants to get James a lot more playing time. When you watch him substitute he brings 3 in at a time. Well, if he adds James that is 4 in and out. Hmmm, similar to a coaches strategy one year who Coaches at WVU when he did that with 5
-I’m hoping that Mike is the difference in us winning tonight since he is at home. Gonna be another tough one...
Go Dukes
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Re: Beat the Billikens — and begin dreaming the impossible dream!
Tejas_Duke wrote:Dukes2012 wrote:duq81 wrote:
I looked it up. It's even worse than I thought. 67 is the lowest ever.
The Dukes aren't even close to an at large bid in the NIT right now let alone the NCAA tournament. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's going to take a hell of a lot more than what we've seen this year to dance outside of winning the conference tournament.
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