This is going to be quite an interesting game for a number of reasons. Chicago State will not be an easy out. Not necessarily a fan of this scheduling quirk but Dambrot has spoken about the challenge of non-con scheduling, but you take what you can get.

The Dukes have focused on defense so far, but they should come out tonight with a more aggressive offense. They need to establish that they can score beyond the arch.

phil95 wrote:

In order to demonstrate true progress, the Dukes need to produce a very convincing win tonight. No playing down to the competition is allowed!

Taking care of business at home with no drama would signal maturity while setting the tone for the remainder of the season. Failing to do so will signal more uncertainty & interrupt the current positive vibe.

A 30 point victory is not necessary. Leaving no doubts as to who is the far superior team is.

That's a pretty good assessment in my eyes. They won at Northwestern, so we obviously can't totally look past them; but it really shouldn't be close. Running them out of the building and getting the walk-ons in would be nice, but I think we need to continue to keep the focus on defense. I think the Dukes not only win, but cover by doing just that. Dukes 69 Chicago St. 53.

Mahorcic, Clark, Williams, Rozier, DiMichelle starting.

Last edited by MikeR (1/31/2024 6:49 pm)

10-14 pts not on the board cause they miss layups and put backs.   🤮

This looks more like a game 1 of a season.

Half two will be a lot better. Good minutes from Savrasov. Nice to see! Keep shooting them in Grant! Just need to be cleaner around the rim, having Dixon back this half should help that.

I am looking forward to KD's postgame presser so I can be educated about just how good & well-coached this Chicago State team is.

This was a perfect game for us right now. They present unique challenges by switching everything 1 through 5. It forces you to play a little 1v1 or pound it inside which are both weaknesses for us at the moment. And they have two elite players. We have done great on one, and the other has killed us.

phil95 wrote:

I am looking forward to KD's postgame presser so I can be educated about just how good & well-coached this Chicago State team is.

Cant wait to hear that one. Hard to believe a team with this talent struggles mightily for a W against much lesser talent. It's old.
 

I wondered when the “hating” as my daughter would say would re-commence. I’m busy watching us hold another team to 60 or less points on our way to our third straight win. Go Dukes! We believe!

CityDuke wrote:

I wondered when the “hating” as my daughter would say would re-commence. I’m busy watching us hold another team to 60 or less points on our way to our third straight win. Go Dukes! We believe!

Relax its not hating. Stop looking for a fight. I know you love to bait. When your boy Dambrot gets us to the tourney I'd love for you to throw into my face believe me. Been waiting for 48 years now. I was courtside three days straight for the Eastern Eight tourney as a 12 year old skipping school and watching the Dukes beat Penn State, UMass, and Villanova at the Philadelphia spectrum to get to the NCAA tourney in 76. Sat next to Norm Nixon and Debbie Allen watching the West Va and UMass game after the Dukes beat PSU in the first round. Norm had the flu, but was gracious enough to autograph a 3X5 card and let me and my brothers down in the locker room when they beat Villanova in the final. Very cool time.

CityDuke wrote:

I have been extremely impressed with Noah Buono on the color commentary so far. What a knowledgable and well-spoken young man!

DU needs to step in, offer him Cannon’s job.  Easy voice to listen to, and knows what he is talking about.