ElDuque wrote:

Great win! And I hope it continues. But there were some serious indications last night that better A10 teams are going to handle us pretty easily:

1. Overall FG%: 39%.
2. We took 28 threes and missed 22 of them (21%).
3. Only 68% from the FT line.
​4. Assist/TO ration was 12/13.
​5. Ferry is creeping towards putting as small a lineup as possible on the court again. 5 minutes for Darius Lewis and
I ask again: Where was Jordan Robinson last night?

We were helped by 20 offensive rebounds, and we finally got someone other than the core three to step up (Blackman, Abrahamson and Sanders -- even Castro), but those numbers have me a little edgy going into the VCU game.

​

It's pretty obvious that Lewis is being pushed aside, and probably with good reason. I'll never understand the Robinson thing though.

ED writes he has concerns because:

"1. Overall FG%: 39%.
2. We took 28 threes and missed 22 of them (21%).
3. Only 68% from the FT line.
​4. Assist/TO ration was 12/13.
​5. Ferry is creeping towards putting as small a lineup as possible on the court again. 5 minutes for Darius Lewis and
I ask again: Where was Jordan Robinson last night?"

Looking at the first 4, maybe the positive conclusion, rather than the negative concern, should be that the Dukes were able to sustain and gut out a small winning margin on the road despite some perceived shortfalls in their game and despite being on the road.  Jordan Robinson, whom I have loved and lauded maybe more than any poster on this board,since he came on campus, is obviously not doing things in practice that would warrant his getting his warm-ups off.  I pose this question.  What did Sanders and Abrahamson and Mike as 4-5 combos not do last night that would have warranted their removal and replacement with JR? 10,12 and 10 points and 9, 10 and 6 on rebounds wasn't exactly chump change performances by that inside trio.  Besides,it was race horse basketball to a large degree and that isn't exactly JR's cup of tea.  Saw part of the VCU-George Mason game last night.  Have to keep their Lewis(#1) somewhat at bay to  have success.  They are beatable at Palumbo.

2012 is right in observing that the confidence and self-belief of this team is evident.  Mike Lewis's 3-pointer-game changer and Blackman's follow-up and their collective foul shots reflect that confidence and self-belief.

Last edited by grammudder (12/31/2016 10:38 am)

ED you are on the money. To ignore the flaws in this team is really laughable. Everyone is prasing Abrahamson when his defense stinks, he takes to many ill advised 3's and his 10 rebound performance is against probably the worst rebounding team in the league. Once again I'll ask the same question ED has asked all year, in year 5 why are we totally dependent on 2 Freshman and a Sophomore. Also how about the total waste of minutes on Darius Lewis. And Grammy I'm sick and tired of hearing the innuendo of what JRob does in practice. What the hell does Ferry get paid to do COACH. If that is fact and he hasn't been able to address it in 3 years he should be long gone. You saw last night why Fordham and the Duke's are the bottom dwellers.

E.D.  I accept your different point of view.  Mike and Abrahamson being put at the 3 suggests that you'd accept Blackman sitting next to JR.  That dog won't hunt!  The fact remains a win is a win, especially since the bookies and KenPom expected the Dukes to lose.  There are very few negatives in a win just as there are very few positives in a loss. I'll take blame for omitting Lewis's (Darius) contribution of 6 rebounds in my opinion observations.  Abrahamson was put in as a spread 4 so the Dukes could have two bigs (6'8")-Mike and Kale- running against the smaller Rams. I'll never confuse him with a defensive stalwart.  But he did what was expected of him obviously.  In this particular game Abrahamson was the right person at the right time. I just am not of the opinion JR or Darius could have done much better, if any.

Dome, as to your comments, you still don't know your gluteal muscles from a hole in the ground when it comes to hoops.  Maybe, just maybe, we are dependent on two frosh and sophs because the quality of those recruits are substantially better than what previously existed.  Let's see just how smart you are, Dome.  Would you rather right now have had DC and Micah over any combination of Smith, LewisII, Castro and Blackman?  Don't lose sleep over JR not playing.  Be happy we have Sanders. Happy New Year.

Last edited by grammudder (12/31/2016 2:07 pm)

Econ69 wrote:

What happened to Steel?
He has played only twice this season.
If the penalty for that cell phone nonsense is that severe, why not redshirt him or kick off the team?

It can't be related to the cell phone incident. He's played since then. Obviously something else happened after that. I would think he's down to his final strike.

Grammy I've tried to back off insulting your basketball IQ so shove it. In year 5 I repeat not only depending on the younger guys but back filling with grads is BS. That's not building a program!!!  What does Micah and DC have to do with anything. If you recall I told YOU last year the two guards would run out of gas and you told me then I knew nothing. I called the losing streak when you where making reservations for the NIT. You told me I was wrong then. Happy New Year. Please come back for discussion on Wednesday when we play a REAL opponent.
PHIL, I just wish I could have some faith in what this coach sees but based on decisions he has made you have to question him.

Last edited by The Dome (12/31/2016 3:25 pm)

Duquesne won on the road,showed poise and made plays in crunch time.I see improvement. I see young talent .I see a winning streak and a win over Pitt.I see the president of Duquesne celebrating and engaged
in celebration of beatng  Pitt.POSITIVITY !!!!!!!!!!
  Barbara Fredrickson has written a good book on the benefits of positivity .The stigma of mental illness
is less prevalent than it used to be,and  counselors who deal with  obsessing  can turn your frowns into smiles. Getting a hobby,make time for friends, meditation are possible solutions.
 I wish Jim Ferry the best for 2017 and I wish everyone peace and love for 2017.