Gram, I don't dislike your Opinions at all.  In fact I enjoy them.  What I dislike is when you rip others for their opinions.  That is what a blog should be - accepting of mixed opinions.  You won't be critical of the coach or the Dukes - great - I don't have. a problem with that...but when you criticize others for not being that way, I take exception.

On a side note, It is up to Ferry to get the team ready mentally for Sunday. The team "should" beat them...if they are ready mentally.

As 102 mentioned, the biggest play of the game for me was DC's missed layup. I think it's over if he makes that, but DC played a nice game.

Dome, I get your criticism about DC and Micah's playing time, and I generally agree with you. However, we really don't have a lot of options right now. Castro significantly underperforming everyone's expectations has really thrown a wrench into our guard rotation. With Micah and DC gone, I would expect the two freshmen, along with smith, to get a lot of PT next year. Wouldn't be surprised if we saw a grad transfer either

Dukes2012 wrote:

As 102 mentioned, the biggest play of the game for me was DC's missed layup. I think it's over if he makes that, but DC played a nice game.

Dome, I get your criticism about DC and Micah's playing time, and I generally agree with you. However, we really don't have a lot of options right now. Castro significantly underperforming everyone's expectations has really thrown a wrench into our guard rotation. With Micah and DC gone, I would expect the two freshmen, along with smith, to get a lot of PT next year. Wouldn't be surprised if we saw a grad transfer either

Know what's the craziest thing? I think if results went as expected and it was at or somewhere near a double digit loss and we weren't really in the game at all, people wouldn't be as upset or critical of the team/coach. There wouldn't be anywhere near as much discussion about the game, team, or coach. The positive people would probably point out the positives and the negative people would probably point out the negatives, it would be a three page thread, and just another regular Wednesday on the board. No one really expected to win this one going in, but because we kept it close, lead during a good bit of the game, looked like we were going to take it home, and honestly sh*t the bed at the end, this has been one of the most fun and enthusiastic discussions in a while with good points on both sides. Just an observation, Go Dukes!
 

CLK wrote:

Dukes2012, at first I thought that some of the 2016 names like Jordan Shepherd we were hearing was just precautionary recruiting.  It may still well be, however, I now get a stronger sense that we may see a scholarship opening (or openings).  I saw this post about a 6'5" guard named John Kiser.

Aaron Kiser ‏@Takkle20  @KyleNeddenriep hearing A-10 member Duquesne is close to offering. Will visit Sunday to watch game vs UMass.

http://www.phenomhoopreport.com/news_article/show/596529?referrer_id=1555437

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2440263/john-kiser

CLK, I would be surprised if we didn't see at least one departure, as that seems to be the reality of D1 basketball these days. I really like the looks of that kiser kid but as I stated before, I would love to see a grad transfer guard

Duques102 wrote:

Dukes2012 wrote:

As 102 mentioned, the biggest play of the game for me was DC's missed layup. I think it's over if he makes that, but DC played a nice game.

Dome, I get your criticism about DC and Micah's playing time, and I generally agree with you. However, we really don't have a lot of options right now. Castro significantly underperforming everyone's expectations has really thrown a wrench into our guard rotation. With Micah and DC gone, I would expect the two freshmen, along with smith, to get a lot of PT next year. Wouldn't be surprised if we saw a grad transfer either

Know what's the craziest thing? I think if results went as expected and it was at or somewhere near a double digit loss and we weren't really in the game at all, people wouldn't be as upset or critical of the team/coach. There wouldn't be anywhere near as much discussion about the game, team, or coach. The positive people would probably point out the positives and the negative people would probably point out the negatives, it would be a three page thread, and just another regular Wednesday on the board. No one really expected to win this one going in, but because we kept it close, lead during a good bit of the game, looked like we were going to take it home, and honestly sh*t the bed at the end, this has been one of the most fun and enthusiastic discussions in a while with good points on both sides. Just an observation, Go Dukes!
 

No one here really noticed that when Lewis was in the game we controlled the first part of the second half, and his pics got Micah open, but after Ferry sat him the rest of the game,  Dayton score with drives right to the hoop and no one stopping them,  and Micah was unable to get a decent look and went cold?  Every close game that slipped away, Lewis was on the bench at that moment instead of dominating the paint?  I know he had 4 fouls, but we had this team, Ferry should look at the film on this game, and GW.  The Dayton announcers on the A-10 feed know how he was shutting down their game and kept saying so. Yes we could have won that game, but it turned real fast with Lewis on the bench.  Just look at the play-by-play for the game.     

WashPaRick wrote:

Cooke did a good job on Mason to finish the first half. Cooke was not guarding Mason to start the 2nd half and since the announcers never brought it up again the rest of the game I'm not sure he ever had him in the 2nd half.

For sure, several times when Mason scored in the second half, it was not Cooke guarding. He was there some of the second half.

If he was truly a sure-fire lock-down on Mason, he would have been kept to the task. I think that when Cooke blocked Micah's layup, that got the announcers in a tizzy. Certainly, Cooke is a player on both ends and he initially changed Mason's game. But if the effect was so strong, he would have had man coverage the rest of the game. 

The Dome wrote:

After looking at the stats further I just realize that DC took 50% of the Dukes total second half shots. That is ridiculous!!!! I understand and appreciate Ferry's feelings for him but seriously someone needs to get him under control.

Your right the reality is no one else scores the last 5 plus minutes  because either Micah or Derrick are not setting up plays, they tend to only see themselves scoring. It no wonder they score 20 points in 40 minutes, Lewis had 13 rebounds and I believe 8 points in 22 minutes , double that time on the court and it's 20 rebounds and 20 points?  Play Micah and Derrick 22 minutes,  you get 2 rebounds, 2 assist and 10 points.  Ferry is not using all his assets, he is over playing 2 senior guards, maybe because he isn't that good of a coach.  James hasn't gone cold these last couple of games, no plays are set for him to score.  Micah and Derrick got 1000 plus points in their careers. But none of that scoring produced a winning season?  The strength of this team is in the paint and Ferry is not directing the game there.  That last play of the game where Micah got trapped, he had no plan to give up the ball or he would have passed to the open player, it's just the mind set of these 2 seniors.  And they have been well scouted by our opponents and it showed in the closing minute here.

lilpav30 wrote:

Napa, why is EVERY single post about Darius?? Are you related to him?? We get your point about him already!!! Jeez

Yea, it looks like a broken record.  Ferry spent 4 years recruiting bigs and still runs an offense more suitable for a small guard oriented team.  He is under using the size of this team and isn't playing at a pace that would work to their strength, but every time we gain a lead against the better teams, it's no accident that we are out-rebounding and hampering their offense with our size at those moments.  Look at the last 4 plus minutes of games we are behind, all sense of offense seems to breakdown to just 2 guards being  double-teamed and no one else gets the ball?  We don't get better the rest of this season playing this way.  Hey, and no, we're not related. LOL.   Funny, for years a lot of talk on this board was about getting a 7 foot decent player, and here he is and no one here seems to notice it? Lewis had 13 boards in 22 minutes, all when we were winning the game?  Just saying.     

Simms wrote:

I personally think Powell is far superior to Lewis in everything but height.

Yea, Powell can move better, but I like to see them both in there at the same time.   Slow down the offense and work the ball in.  Ferry isn't that aggressive on defense which works well with these big guys,  but wants to run on offense.  There is no advantage in running up tempo on offense when your team is bigger than your opponent. In fact it tends to negate your height advantage. Most of the time, up tempo for this team seems to lead to hasty bad shots early on the shot clock with no big guy in place to rebound.

I would try starting Powell in front of James right now.  His offense ability is off the charts.  At the Davidson game there were a lot of their fans around me and even in warm-ups, their topic of conversation was how athletic Powell was and how he could get up above the rim.

Lewis - Gill - Powell - Mason - DC = starting

FAM wrote:

I would try starting Powell in front of James right now.  His offense ability is off the charts.  At the Davidson game there were a lot of their fans around me and even in warm-ups, their topic of conversation was how athletic Powell was and how he could get up above the rim.

Lewis - Gill - Powell - Mason - DC = starting

I agree, Powell in place of James in a half-court offense makes a lot of sense. 

Duques102 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

FAM wrote:

I would try starting Powell in front of James right now.  His offense ability is off the charts.  At the Davidson game there were a lot of their fans around me and even in warm-ups, their topic of conversation was how athletic Powell was and how he could get up above the rim.

Lewis - Gill - Powell - Mason - DC = starting

I agree, Powell in place of James in a half-court offense makes a lot of sense. 

Powell is definitely our best post scorer but is also an underrated passed. I could see him being really effective drawing in defenders down on the block and finding Lewis under the hoop or a shooter on the perimeter, or taking it to the rack himself which he is extremely good at. I also think his defensive rebounding has improved as the season has progressed. He's pretty damn polished for a sophomore by A10 standards. Would like to see him find his way into the starting lineup at some point this season.

This is the strength in this team, If we are to improve and surprise someone (almost in Dayton) then it comes from using these two more and together and in  some half court patient offense.  Both guards are still going to score, but with more wide open shots, if we start hurting teams inside. It's why we almost pulled it off in Dayton. And why it slipped away when the game was all about the perimeter.  

Talking about the guards, they are our strength this year, but Ferry should be demanding more balance.  I love DC for many reasons and Micah was a steal to get from Drake, but I think the problem is you have a 5'10" scoring guard being forced to play the point.  With a 6'2" true PG you could pass over the top better, would avoid the forced shots that DC too often takes and you would be getting more players involved offensively.  Cleary that would be a better match-up defensively as well with more length.  I have never agreed with starting 3 guys, before JJ injury, that are 5'10", 6'1" and 6"3" in the A-10.  If Castro was a stud it would have been great to bring DC off the bench as an instant offense 2 guard - despite the height issue!