stew wrote:

Ive followed Dukes since 65-66 season and Ive been passionate .Frustrated by the lack of support Duquesne
gets and the lackluster play of the team .There was spark of hope at beginning of season with the team playing
with a lot of energy.Yesterdays game the team is hanging their heads and you look around at all the empty seats
and you ask yourself is this another futile attempt to revive a sorry basketball program that few care about.The
talent on the team just isnt there and I feel bad for the players..Ive lost interest .

Let's wait and see how this team does in conference play this year. Every game is going to be a dogfight, the A10 is having a down year. We are at the level of Davidson, St. Bonaventure, UMass along with Dayton and VCU having tons of issues and SLU not living up to their preseason hype. 

levon1975 wrote:

I agree with Bluff Hunter, it's much too early to give up on this team, after starting out 7-3!  Many years we would have gladly taken 7-3.  Sure, the tougher teams Marshall and NMSU have exposed some warts; but nothing that can't be improved upon.  I definitely endorse the tougher non-con schedule.  It is just what this team needed at this point in the season.  Beating bad teams just imparts a false sense of superiority that would likely be crushed in the A-10 season.  Better to take the punches now and have time to work out the problem areas.  I have seen a few positives in the last two games from different sources.

Jimmy Clark, is taking charge on the court much more now than earlier in the season.  He is scoring against better teams, getting points by getting to the rim and taking the jumpers from long-range.  His defense has improved in that he is staying out of foul trouble. Clark and Kareem turned NMSU over with the press several times yesterday and almost got the Dukes back in the game.

Joe looked much more fluid in the second-half taking the mid-range jumpers and driving to the basket will be his ticket, although his shot from "three" looks pretty solid.  Because he has some quickness, bigger defenders will have to give him the short jumpers, to avoid the blow-by drives.  I think he can make this work and become another offensive threat.  He missed a few yesterday, that I think he will bury with time.  Matus got a little more time yesterday and was OK.  He is mastering the first step in getting playing time; which is "protect the ball".  The scoring will come later.  I think every minute played by the freshmen in these tougher games will benefit the team down the road.  We know Quincy can score; he just has to protect the rock when he's in the game.  I'd like to see some more sets involving screening away from the ball to get Joe and the other bigs open along the baseline.  A little screen for the screener action along the baseline might get them some cleaner looks.  Better use of the ball fake when facing up can also create some driving possibilities for the bigs. We've seen that used extensively and successfully by our last two opponents. 

Dixon has moments in every game  where  he does something that wows the crowd; now he needs to even out the rough spots; and become a more consistent defender and rebounder. 

Grant is seeing every team focus on stopping him, so creating more offensive threats and running some sets can be helpful.  He has missed some open looks too; but he will bounce back and provide  scoring. 

Hopefully coach can find a few minutes in the upcoming games for Barre as well.  He needs to get his feet wet.

Tre Williams pretty much does what he does every game; so you know what you'll get from him. He always works and battles against bigger guys and can usually back them down for his share of points. A little more luck with the contested shots at the hoop would be great to see and would change his numbers significantly. 
That's my take, so no reason to abandon the team! 

I would agree, if we play to our strength. Share the ball with fast passes, shoot the open three. Rebound, and play defense to fast breaks on steals and turnovers. Going toe to toe in the paint against Marshall in the first half killed us. There is a way to win every game, just have to scout it, and a game plan to match each game. It comes down to coaching. Don't have to win them all, but most.