PhoenixRising2 wrote:

2:00pm EST tip on Saturday 12/30/2023 at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, Pittsburgh, PA

Betting line: N/A
Duquesne 4-7 Against the Spread: Cleary N/A

NET Ranking:  Dukes 79; Cleary N/A

Per KenPom (362 D-1 Teams):
Dukes #90 (8-3) vs Cleary N/A (0-11; 0-13 includes Exhibitions)
https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Duquesne
Per Haslametrics:
Dukes #105 vs Cleary N/A
https://haslametrics.com/ratings2.php?yr=&tid=4391
Per BartTorvik:
Dukes #76 vs Cleary N/A
https://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Duquesne&year=2024 
Duquesne Preview: https://goduquesne.com/news/2023/12/28/mens-basketball-duquesne-closes-2023-by-hosting-cleary.aspx Duquesne Game Notes: https://goduquesne.com/documents/2023/12/28/12_Cleary.pdf Cleary Game Notes: N/A  
Sports Reference College Basketball Team Pages:
Duquesne:  https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/duquesne/men/2024.html Cleary: N/A
Dukes KenPom Best Wins: UC Irvine (74); College of Charleston (123); Bradley (125); Cleveland St. (160)   
Dukes KenPom Worst Losses: Santa Clara (117); Nebraska (56); Princeton (53) 
Cleary KenPom Best Wins: N/A
Cleary KenPom Worst Losses: N/A

Shooting Percentage Offense/Defense (per KenPom)
Dukes 3 Point:  Offense 34.9%, 106 in D-1; Defense 35.9%, 292 in D-1
Cleary 3 Point:  Offense 28.6%; Defense 37.9%
Dukes 2 Point:  Offense 51.1%, 143 in D-1; Defense 45.5%, 50 in D-1
Cleary 2 Point:  Offense 41.3%; Defense 55.7%
Dukes FT:  Offense 70.9%, 190 in D-1; Defense 70.6%, 163 in D-1
Cleary FT:  Offense 65.7%; Defense 71.0%

Points per Possession and Number of Possessions (per KenPom)
Cleary Adj Offense Efficiency - N/A vs Dukes Adj Defense Efficiency - 102.7; 134 in D-1
Cleary Adj Defense Efficiency - N/A vs Dukes Adj Offense Efficiency - 110.9; 64 in D-1
Cleary Adj Tempo - N/A vs Dukes Adj Tempo - 68.0; 232 in D-1

Miscellaneous (per KenPom)
Experience - Cleary N/A; Dukes 2.75 yrs; 24 in D-1
Average Height - Cleary N/A; Dukes 76.2"; 321 in D-1

I don't see how we scheduled this team. They lost to Point Park by around 40 points? KD better get a lot of game  time from our bench players  and rehab players in this game.

I am sure it is KD doing a favor for a longtime friend & staff member. There is no other way that this particular opponent would make it on the schedule.

I am equally sure we will be treated to a lecture on how difficult it now is for mid-major teams to get non-con games scheduled. This will come complete with the defense that a bunch of DU's peer schools also scheduled these crap games. The difference is that those other teams aren't playing NAIA schools fielding a basketball team for the first time in their existence.

The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of D-1 teams ranked  362-225 would gladly schedule a home game against DU. Most of them would probably pay DU modestly for the opportunity & guarantee a free return game or maybe even 2. 

I'd take a mildly challenging road game against a real opponent as a developmental opportunity over this Cleary game 100% of the time.

Still. it is a coaches relief game, to safely clear the bench of the "practice players that deserve some minutes off the bench. Even though we could have played St. Francis, or Robert Morris, or even Pitt, and got the same bench clearing moments. Just saying. LOL.

ESPN+ stream is "experiencing technical difficulties".

This is like playing a high school team. Dukes can score inside at will.  It’s fun to watch - I just hope there something to be gained by it other than false confidence. Nice to see Cole-Williams get the start for Cleary.

Nice to see the end of the bench guys get some run. 

WashPaRick wrote:

Nice to see the end of the bench guys get some run. 

It really was.  I liked seeing Matus run the point for a few minutes.  He may have to do so in a pinch sometime so it's nice to get him some minutes in a game as opposed to just in practice.  Dusan getting a chance to build some confidence in his knee was good also.  He dominated in the paint as he should have.  Doubling up an opponent is always fun.  I'm pleased with the effort.

 

Trib Article

https://triblive.com/sports/duquesne-makes-short-work-of-naia-school-cleary-coached-by-ex-dambrot-assistant/

MikeR wrote:

Ironduke81 wrote:

Guys for your info this production clich was solely on Duquesne. How can you not test the production lines 1/2 hour before the game? Typical Duquesne. Nothing to do with ESPN my friends. Own it.

Should I ask for a refund from Duquesne or ESPN+, whom I actually pay for the service?

You need a good lawyer and file a lawsuit against both. The deeper the pockets the better🤣

FAM wrote:

If you get a chance, please watch the post-game presser with Dambrot and Thomas.  In this age of crazy NIL, crazy interactions, and other issues it was truly heartwarming...yes, heartwarming and enjoyable.  
I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and may We take God's Grace to cope with whatever comes our way in 2024.  Let's remember this is a game...    May God Bless Us All!

Go Dukes

FAM. Thanks for the tip on this video. Well worth watching.