Robinson had more than enough chance as he was starting earlier in the season. He easily looked like the worst defender on the team and did not rebound well.

Haven't we all learned from off season hype that the truth comes out when the games are played? Jon Rothstein and anyone else hyping him up had no way of ever seen him play before since he was not allowed to practice last year.

Lewis is significantly bigger and although a work in progress offensively does a way better job protecting the basket in the zone.

Robinson is without a doubt a center. He cannot dribble or pass and does not possess any skills that would suggest that he is anything but a center. He has a chance to improve and get better and unfortunately for him there were unwarranted pressures and hype placed on a kid who had never practiced until this year.

Neither Powell or McKoy can shoot from three or drive against opposing 3 men which in turn makes them both forwards and not small forwards. That is not even talking into account how they would do defensively. St. Joe's for example plays Bembry at that position and URI plays Terrell and Matthews.

The last two games against St Joe's and URI have been by far the most competitive games the team had played this season. Hard not to think that has something to do with shortening the lineup and playing less players. Funny that everyone had an issue with Ferry playing too many players and now the Dukes were one foul away from being 2-1 in the A10. Who would have ever thought that was possible three weeks ago?

Also, anyone think that URI's comeback have anything to do with their talent level and the fact hah they are 11-3 and reviving top 25 votes? Anyone who did not think they were going to come back in that game is very misinformed.

DukesFan79 wrote:

Robinson had more than enough chance as he was starting earlier in the season. He easily looked like the worst defender on the team and did not rebound well.

Haven't we all learned from off season hype that the truth comes out when the games are played? Jon Rothstein and anyone else hyping him up had no way of ever seen him play before since he was not allowed to practice last year.

Lewis is significantly bigger and although a work in progress offensively does a way better job protecting the basket in the zone.

You lost me.  Are you saying that Robinson should not get any minutes?  While I agree he looked lost on the court early, and did not rebound effectively, I think there is talent there.  I think it is on the coaches to coach him up and develop him.
 

roagabee, I guess the key to the answer to that question is where do project Gill to play.  To me Lewis and Robinson are 5s, and Powell and McKoy are 4s.  Gill is neither although he has been used by Ferry at both positions.  Over 50% of Gills shots are three point shots.  Not what you want to see from a 5 or 4.  To me Gill should be eating into Jone's minutes, but I understand his defense ball handling is a problem.  But when I see Jones standing wide open in the wing passing up three point looks I can't help but think Gill would be a real asset if he can work on those aspects of his game.  I am no expert, and could be very wrong, but I do not see much of a future for him as a 4 or 5, and would like to see him developed as a 3, and Robinson developed at the 5.  I see potential in both of these guys.  I do not want to see either of these players pushed out the door.

CLK wrote:

roagabee, I guess the key to the answer to that question is where do project Gill to play.  To me Lewis and Robinson are 5s, and Powell and McKoy are 4s.  Gill is neither although he has been used by Ferry at both positions.  Over 50% of Gills shots are three point shots.  Not what you want to see from a 5 or 4.  To me Gill should be eating into Jone's minutes, but I understand his defense ball handling is a problem.  But when I see Jones standing wide open in the wing passing up three point looks I can't help but think Gill would be a real asset if he can work on those aspects of his game.  I am no expert, and could be very wrong, but I do not see much of a future for him as a 4 or 5, and would like to see him developed as a 3, and Robinson developed at the 5.  I see potential in both of these guys.  I do not want to see either of these players pushed out the door.

I'd prefer Gill at the four, especially in Ferry's system where Ferry uses the three as a combo 2-3 guard.  I don't think that Gill can play the three at the A-10 level as I think he's not quick enough and has already shown that when tried on defensive rotations at the wing of the 2-3.  I don't know how he'll be able to guard in the man if Ferry goes back to it.  Part of the better defense to me has been Gill getting less PT...

Dome, I wasn't saying they were untouchable, but I do think that they earned their minutes over Robinson.  I also believe that part of McKoy's success has been Lewis opening space for him regardless of how little he personally has been scoring.  As for how long we can ride the starters going 30-35 minutes, the 2010-2011 team had Saunders, Clark, Monteiro, and TJ all doing it in conference play, with Saunders and TJ both over 35 a game if you take out the Temple  for McConnell (which he suspended for part of).  The year before in 2009-2010, the top four of Saunders, Clark, Bolding, and Evans all averaged 30-35 a game also in conference play if you take out Bolding's first two games coming back off wrist surgery.  It's not like Dukes fans haven't seen that minute distribution before, and I'd argue that this team is less likely than those to wear down based on rotating more OOC than the two RE teams that I mentioned.

The Dome wrote:

I hate to do this since I have no use for our neighbors in Oakland but I think we would all agree Dixon is a pretty good coach. I find it interesting that he is talking of giving playing time to a WALK ON because he feels it is unacceptable to the degree they are being out rebounded. He is willing to accept they are playing to small and need to play bigger. I realize Dixon has a ton of built up equity to experiment but I like the fact he is looking for answers.

You don't have to like Pitt to like Dixon. When Ron was in the hospital, Dixon was one of the first people to visit him. He's a good guy who regularly does more with less.