He certainly took his time.

Duques102 wrote:

Wasn't crazy about him. He was a project recruit. Another roster spot.

Agree. Good size but looks very raw in highlight videos.

yak-rbc wrote:

well, that's really annoying

It's really not man, he went to prep school to be recruited. Watch where he ends up going.

He was a "round out the class" type of recruit. How's Ferrys track record look like for recruiting post men?

Last edited by Duques102 (4/11/2017 8:44 pm)

Duques102 wrote:

It's really not man, he went to prep school to be recruited. Watch where he ends up going.

He was a "round out the class" type of recruit. How's Ferrys track record look like for recruiting post men?

you think Dambrot is happy that Djonkam is decommitting for the scholarship space, or maybe even helped him push him out? I'm just trying to wrap my head around it.

I know we seem to have interest/offers in a lot of guys right now, but few of them have committed and we already have two guys taking scholarships who have to sit out next year, and there will be probably be more. Djonkam would have played next year. We still need lots of bodies to play a full lineup next year. Until FB season ends, as it stands right now, we have ML2, Smith, James, Robinson, Littleson, and Krivacevic. Yes, we will probably get more, but this is now precarious territory.

I want to comment how I think I see this message board as okay with these guys transferring out. I thought there was a little excitement around Djonkam and hope for Castro next season, but when the players announce they're transferring, it's a collective shrug and "meh" on here.
 

Yak- rbc - my thoughts are more on Who it is that we are losing than we are just losing guys.  We lost I-Mike who was a big loss.  Other than that, I don't see us losing anyone who would have started for any other team in the A-10.  Let's remember that for the LAST 4 years, every recruit has been Jim Ferry's and he never had a winning record.  I am sure the new coach can bring in talent no worse than what we lost (except for I-Mike) and with coaching they will end up better.

Yeah I am trying not to just rationalize everything to good but I could care less if we lost this guy. He didn't do much for me anyways. The only kids that I am heart broken over is I mike and Ty Powell last year. Everyone one else I could care less...they aren't great basketball players and we need better to win.

Simms wrote:

Lol, although my optimism is at an all time high, I think we are being a bit dismissive of everything.  We sound like sour grapes for a lot of these moves.  Some people even tried to act like losing I. Mike wasn't a bad thing.  It sucks and we know it.  Lewis may not have been great, but he was a big who would have helped us where we need help the most, at the 4 and the 5.  We can't expect Dambrot to win every recruiting battle.  

 

Yeah losing Mike was a big loss but I stand by my feeling that nobody else really hurts that much. They were below average to average A10 players. That's just a fact. Look at the records they put together over the last 2-3 years.

Dambrot won't win all the recruiting battles your right, but I'll bet five bucks we won't be worried about losing Lewis Djonkam in 2-3 years. We may not even remember him.

Last edited by Duques102 (4/12/2017 8:27 am)

Did some more research on this guy and he was not good. He played for a top program in the nation...but didn't even looked like he started. Looked at his "highlight tape" and it just verified his lack of hype. This guy would have been a liability and I am happy he won't be a Duke. Wish him all the best but he should be anywhere near a D1 program...check back with me in 4 years and you'll see. 

Duques102 wrote:

Simms wrote:

Lol, although my optimism is at an all time high, I think we are being a bit dismissive of everything.  We sound like sour grapes for a lot of these moves.  Some people even tried to act like losing I. Mike wasn't a bad thing.  It sucks and we know it.  Lewis may not have been great, but he was a big who would have helped us where we need help the most, at the 4 and the 5.  We can't expect Dambrot to win every recruiting battle.  

 

Yeah losing Mike was a big loss but I stand by my feeling that nobody else really hurts that much. They were below average to average A10 players. That's just a fact. Look at the records they put together over the last 2-3 years.

Dambrot won't win all the recruiting battles your right, but I'll bet five bucks we won't be worried about losing Lewis Djonkam in 2-3 years. We may not even remember him.

Simms wrote:

Agreed with what you are saying, but a lot of the recruits we are getting aren't that touted.  It's not like we are winning recruiting battles against P5 schools.  I don't really care because I understand that this is going to take time.  Year 1 for me is a complete wash for Dambrot.  He could win 6 games and I'll be okay because he simply doesn't have the talent to compete.  No one could win with the current roster that we have.  If he is able to salvage us somewhat and gain positive momentum, then I will be happy.

Our fan base needs to recognize during years 2 and 3 (which may also be rough) that Dambrot is a good coach.  He has won a lot and it isn't a fluke.  We have to give him time and not freak out when year 2 is below expectations.  

I am excited to see what Dambrot will bring in this year.  I agree it will take time to rebuild and get to the top of the League, but I would not be surprised to see him having the Dukes winning next year or year two. I really do not understand you comment above about recruits.  Right now we have two 3 star recruits (transfers) with heavy recruiting out of HS and one foreign JUCO.  The list of potential recruits that we know of (even though Dambrot is starting late) is impressive.  Jackson, Ballantyne, Collins, Washington, Haruna, & Hughes all hotly recruited.  Let's just give Dambrot a chance to see what he can do before going negative.   

Last edited by CLK (4/12/2017 9:55 am)

Tiki Barber just did a cbs sports minute update on the radio. It was about Tubby Smith and Memphis. He mentioned that this offseason, the father of the two Lawson kids that transferred to Kansas was demoted within the program (hired initially by the previous coach), causing their "top 6 players to transfer out of the program".

So in transfer Randall we have a player who is either a starter or first guy off the bench for a major program that has won a national title and is an NBA factory. Wouldn't call that an unheralded recruit.

Last edited by Duques102 (4/12/2017 10:43 am)

Simms wrote:

Lol, I simply want to tamper expectations guys.  I Hope you guys are right and that we land a ton of studs.  I expect a lot more from year 2 than year 1 though.  

I hear ya. Not trying to come at you or anything. Just trying to explain why the market is thin this year and provide a little insight on the transfer from Memphis. I agree that expectations should definitely be tempered for year 1. I think in year 2 with the addition of the 2018 class we can expect a good season.

Dambrot said multiple times at his press conference that he just didn't understand why someone couldn't win at Duquesne. Well we as fans have the answer. For the last 3-4 decades, we have either had crappy leadership and commitment, a crappy coach, or both.

Now we have great and committed leadership, and a great coach. Whether it is in year 2 or 3, success will come. We can then enjoy another 4-5 years of great accomplishment and then witness the restablishment of this program on a nationally relevant basis. I truly believe that is where we are heading under our current leadership from the administration, department, and our coach.

Sit back and enjoy, especially the old heads that have been fans longer than any of us.

president wrote:

My wife looked at me like I was crazy or something. She is considerably younger

Duquesne may not be yet, but it sounds like president is already "winning".