CLK wrote:

The 120 people at the game enjoyed the shoot out #embarrassing. 

Oh stop low balling the attendance, CLK. there was at least a 150 there

Dukes2012 wrote:

CLK wrote:

The 120 people at the game enjoyed the shoot out #embarrassing. 

Oh stop low balling the attendance, CLK. there was at least a 150 there

 LOL, right I forgot the band and cheerleaders.
 

Some hilarious and witty posts, but sad to say seeing that second half is making me want to puke.  Napa I was thinking the same thing when they kept rolling the ball in practically the whole second half.  I guess Ferry's head was too far up his arse to see that going on.  Is our D really that bad that we can't pressure a guard even a bit in the backcourt??? Answer, yes.  Colter trying to defend on the perimeter is beyond pointless.  This was like a shooting gallery, take your time now, aim, steady... shoot.  When no one is in your face that is what it is.  Hire a defensive assistant Ferry as your D coaching ability and record (see statistical post that someone provided previously on the Board) historically is one of the worst in DI.  You heard what Patino said about how you win in the tourney - someone posted that as well - and a big part of it was DEFENSE!!  Hey Jim "NoD" Ferry, defense isn't a four letter word!!!!

Duques102 wrote:

So is the next one home or away?

On the road Monday At Morehead State
 

Lewis in there, with  James cut loose, we win ever game. Micah and Coulter, taking over, like  four years of dumb down D-1 BB , we lose.  Lewis scored everything the first 8 plus minutes, he stopped their offense, but COLD the first 8 minutes, he even interspersed   a cross court pass 9 feet in the air!!! that lead to a fast break 2 points that buried Omaha after 8 plus minutes into the game, YET FERRY treated LEWIS like a second -rate back-up player??  FERRY JUST PLAIN SUCKS!!  The lead we held the rest of the game was ALL LEWIS??  The two guards did their best to F-up that lead. It's a good thing that Robinson did a decent job filling in for Lewis, and why with 4 fouls and 4-plus minutes left, Lewis sat on the bench??? Ferry is no coach. We won in spite of him.  James needs the green light to penetrate, Gill needs to back-pettel  and  shoot the three  all GAME . Both senior guards were more effective the first 6 minutes not scoring but leading the team in assist. Then they both reverted to the  "me - first" no more team play???  Just plain luck  we won after that.  Ferry, wise up.  you out-sized that team, yet almost lost in the end playing little?? You don't know your own  team?? Why are you still here??    

NapaDuke wrote:

Lewis in there, with  James cut loose, we win ever game. Micah and Coulter, taking over, like  four years of dumb down D-1 BB , we lose.  Lewis scored everything the first 8 plus minutes, he stopped their offense, but COLD the first 8 minutes, he even interspersed   a cross court pass 9 feet in the air!!! that lead to a fast break 2 points that buried Omaha after 8 plus minutes into the game, YET FERRY treated LEWIS like a second -rate back-up player??  FERRY JUST PLAIN SUCKS!!  The lead we held the rest of the game was ALL LEWIS??  The two guards did their best to F-up that lead. It's a good thing that Robinson did a decent job filling in for Lewis, and why with 4 fouls and 4-plus minutes left, Lewis sat on the bench??? Ferry is no coach. We won in spite of him.  James needs the green light to penetrate, Gill needs to back-pettel  and  shoot the three  all GAME . Both senior guards were more effective the first 6 minutes not scoring but leading the team in assist. Then they both reverted to the  "me - first" no more team play???  Just plain luck  we won after that.  Ferry, wise up.  you out-sized that team, yet almost lost in the end playing little?? You don't know your own  team?? Why are you still here??    

Seriously, is Napa Darius Lewis' father???? I thought he played well too but geeze.....

NapaDuke wrote:

Duques102 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

Lewis in there, with  James cut loose, we win ever game. Micah and Coulter, taking over, like  four years of dumb down D-1 BB , we lose.  Lewis scored everything the first 8 plus minutes, he stopped their offense, but COLD the first 8 minutes, he even interspersed   a cross court pass 9 feet in the air!!! that lead to a fast break 2 points that buried Omaha after 8 plus minutes into the game, YET FERRY treated LEWIS like a second -rate back-up player??  FERRY JUST PLAIN SUCKS!!  The lead we held the rest of the game was ALL LEWIS??  The two guards did their best to F-up that lead. It's a good thing that Robinson did a decent job filling in for Lewis, and why with 4 fouls and 4-plus minutes left, Lewis sat on the bench??? Ferry is no coach. We won in spite of him.  James needs the green light to penetrate, Gill needs to back-pettel  and  shoot the three  all GAME . Both senior guards were more effective the first 6 minutes not scoring but leading the team in assist. Then they both reverted to the  "me - first" no more team play???  Just plain luck  we won after that.  Ferry, wise up.  you out-sized that team, yet almost lost in the end playing little?? You don't know your own  team?? Why are you still here??    

Seriously, is Napa Darius Lewis' father???? I thought he played well too but geeze.....

No, just every game, every time Lewis is in we are leading?  Stats after the game are deceiving, Lewis crowds the middle, stopped their game, deflects  passes, causes the opponent to miss,  by arching their shot more than they would and miss because of it.  I watch most games from the opponents site to hear what they are saying. All season, it's all about  Lewis!!, when he is in there, when he is or not, how he is shutting down their offense, and thank-god (for them) ,that Ferry BENCHED HIM.  All season long!!  plus opponents scouting of both guards, how too easy it is to shut them down. LaSalle was the best,  really, with their analysis, stating that every team this season knows to  turns the heat up in the second half on our guards,  because neither guard for the DUKES  is a ball-handler and with pressure,  their turnovers just end it for the Dukes?  Why doesn't Ferry have at least one of his assist.coaches listen to what every one else on earth knows about his team??  Even in this game, Ray kept saying how Omaha is over playing our guards, yet no adjustment by Ferry?  Lewis is on the bench  in the second half and the lead is down to 3 points?? And you think I'm his father? I wish I was his coach!!   Two or three fools on this board think the 2 senior guards were everything this season? Really??  They were an impediment??  I'm not Lewis's father, I'm just  tired of this  dumb-down BB  from Ferry and losing with it.  Biggest team on the court and we nearly lost?    

And clearly, no one player this season for the Dukes changes the game when he is, or is not in there like Lewis.  Both senior guards played so poorly, over-all, that we were or not winning with there presents on the court. Only Lewis constantly affects the game. Then James, Gill, then Robinson, but it never mattered if Micah or Coulter was in there, because they caused more turnovers to points than they created on our side. Don't think so?  Look at turnovers (equals 2 point for opponents) to their point production.  Also, add in their mindless, quick shots to fast-breaks to points for the other team??  Why do you think we have lost so many games, yet they are our 2 leading scorers?? Because, they gave up more points than they scored??  Otherwise, we would be winners all those Ferry-years!! Instead of losers!! Ferry keeps telling the new naive AD this BS, and some people on this board are as clueless.  If our 2 seniors guards did so much, why are we into our forth years of losing? Not Lewis's fault, he's on the bench watching leads disappear every game in the second half?  

Last edited by NapaDuke (3/17/2016 12:28 am)

You can't play Lewis much more because he also picks up fouls and is still struggling some with stamina. No player should be out there 38-40 mpg. Robinson and Sanders are fine subbing in and Ferry still needs to make Gill get a little closer to the basket and play smarter on D so he doesn't pick up 2 quick fouls. Where we struggle a lot is the lack of depth behind the guards. Steele can't dribble. Castro apparently is Marvin Binney.

Lewis also has a tendency to bend at the waste and try to dribble near the basket. You'd think Ferry would coach that out of him, but I guess he's not capable.

Napa, I think El D provides a good and sober analysis of where Lewis is in terms of his development - I posted similar thoughts previously.  Clearly we all question Jim "NoD" Ferry's coaching tactics/strategy or lack thereof.  However, Lewis has a way to go before becoming any kind of dominant game force.  Yes, he is a defensive presence and yes he does have spurts of offense, but he is prone to fouls and needs more improvement and polish offensively.  Gill is a PF body and needs to get more ten feet and in shots.  Unless he hits a high % of 3's he shouldn't be taking too many and regrettably I don't think his % is that high on that shot.  Generally with our "talent" level everyone needs to contribute and be in the flow of the game.  Our problem has been too much emphasis on the guards coupled with a lack of quality depth at that position.  If we all want to be objective and fair, many times the pressure was on the guards to score as production up front was limited.  That being said: (i) when distribution of the ball and balanced scoring IS WORKING you need to stick with it; (ii) there is NO EXCUSE for the pitiful defense we have displayed most of the season; (iii) the lack of playing time for several players (remember Q probably wouldn't have even played if JJones didn't get hurt and we all know about JR); and (iv) lack of in game Coaching adjustments (witness blown leads) have really cost us this season.  Of course the talent level does have to get better, but we had enough to have 18 wins going into the A-10 tourney.  

PistolPete wrote:

Napa, I think El D provides a good and sober analysis of where Lewis is in terms of his development - I posted similar thoughts previously.  Clearly we all question Jim "NoD" Ferry's coaching tactics/strategy or lack thereof.  However, Lewis has a way to go before becoming any kind of dominant game force.  Yes, he is a defensive presence and yes he does have spurts of offense, but he is prone to fouls and needs more improvement and polish offensively.  Gill is a PF body and needs to get more ten feet and in shots.  Unless he hits a high % of 3's he shouldn't be taking too many and regrettably I don't think his % is that high on that shot.  Generally with our "talent" level everyone needs to contribute and be in the flow of the game.  Our problem has been too much emphasis on the guards coupled with a lack of quality depth at that position.  If we all want to be objective and fair, many times the pressure was on the guards to score as production up front was limited.  That being said: (i) when distribution of the ball and balanced scoring IS WORKING you need to stick with it; (ii) there is NO EXCUSE for the pitiful defense we have displayed most of the season; (iii) the lack of playing time for several players (remember Q probably wouldn't have even played if JJones didn't get hurt and we all know about JR); and (iv) lack of in game Coaching adjustments (witness blown leads) have really cost us this season.  Of course the talent level does have to get better, but we had enough to have 18 wins going into the A-10 tourney.  

Pistol, what did you think of Gill's offensive play last night? I thought he did great, actually putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket which I think he is way better at than he even realizes. Took a couple of 3's that were wide open and drained them. Played more of an actual role in the offense. Lots of guys played like they weren't scared for the first time in months and the offense flourished because of it.

Even if you aren't knocking them down, taking shots opens up the floor. Markwell shooting or driving to the hoop, Gill driving and shooting, Lewis and Robinson pounding down low and taking some shots. If the other team does not think only two guys will shoot, they have to defend everyone, which makes it easier for Colter and Mason to get good looks. It happened primarily in the first half and I truly believe if we could have maintained that offensive pace, tempo, and style throughout the season we could have easily been a 20 win team which would probably have gotten us at least to the NIT. Bad coaching to not try to facilitate that style of play all year. James will be big time next year I'm not feeling as bearish on this team as some for next year, I think Steele can provide good minutes at the 2 with some development in the offseason, he's a great shooter and plays some defense.
 

Last edited by Duques102 (3/17/2016 8:41 am)

Duques102 wrote:

PistolPete wrote:

Napa, I think El D provides a good and sober analysis of where Lewis is in terms of his development - I posted similar thoughts previously.  Clearly we all question Jim "NoD" Ferry's coaching tactics/strategy or lack thereof.  However, Lewis has a way to go before becoming any kind of dominant game force.  Yes, he is a defensive presence and yes he does have spurts of offense, but he is prone to fouls and needs more improvement and polish offensively.  Gill is a PF body and needs to get more ten feet and in shots.  Unless he hits a high % of 3's he shouldn't be taking too many and regrettably I don't think his % is that high on that shot.  Generally with our "talent" level everyone needs to contribute and be in the flow of the game.  Our problem has been too much emphasis on the guards coupled with a lack of quality depth at that position.  If we all want to be objective and fair, many times the pressure was on the guards to score as production up front was limited.  That being said: (i) when distribution of the ball and balanced scoring IS WORKING you need to stick with it; (ii) there is NO EXCUSE for the pitiful defense we have displayed most of the season; (iii) the lack of playing time for several players (remember Q probably wouldn't have even played if JJones didn't get hurt and we all know about JR); and (iv) lack of in game Coaching adjustments (witness blown leads) have really cost us this season.  Of course the talent level does have to get better, but we had enough to have 18 wins going into the A-10 tourney.  

Pistol, what did you think of Gill's offensive play last night? I thought he did great, actually putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket which I think he is way better at than he even realizes. Took a couple of 3's that were wide open and drained them. Played more of an actual role in the offense. Lots of guys played like they weren't scared for the first time in months and the offense flourished because of it.

Even if you aren't knocking them down, taking shots opens up the floor. Markwell shooting or driving to the hoop, Gill driving and shooting, Lewis and Robinson pounding down low and taking some shots. If the other team does not think only two guys will shoot, they have to defend everyone, which makes it easier for Colter and Mason to get good looks. It happened primarily in the first half and I truly believe if we could have maintained that offensive pace, tempo, and style throughout the season we could have easily been a 20 win team which would probably have gotten us at least to the NIT. Bad coaching to not try to facilitate that style of play all year. James will be big time next year I'm not feeling as bearish on this team as some for next year, I think Steele can provide good minutes at the 2 with some development in the offseason, he's a great shooter and plays some defense.
 

I agree, play a slower half-court game, it plays to our size advantage, running transition style neutralizes our height advantage, I think that's some of the reason the second half of so many games seem to fall apart. We're good at half court and not so good in pushing the pace.  

Nonsense, Darius picks up lots of fouls because he doesn't move his feet well on defense.  He gets called for blocking when guys go to the hoop against him.  On offense he is hampered by struggles catching the ball and going exclusively to his right.  To his credit he has worked to improve himself to get to the point where he can give you 18-20 minutes a game, but he will need to make huge strides before next season to be anything close to a reliable big man at this level.