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TJ deserves everything he gets in the NBA. He has proven everyone wrong at every stop. I wish he would have finished up here, but he did what was best for him. His freshmen year was my junior year, and it was really fun to follow that team. In many ways he reminds me of Mike James, non drafted and disrespected by some but a guy who plays his heart out every night. Last edited by Phildog (11/02/2017 6:10 pm) Wish the guy well. Although my dad always taught me to honor every commitment that I make! Wish the guy well. Although my dad always taught me to honor every commitment that I make! College athletics is definitely a different animal when it comes to commitment. Otherwise we'd be looking at another year or two of the former coach and Keith Dambrot would not be here. Change is good. College athletics is definitely a different animal when it comes to commitment. Otherwise we'd be looking at another year or two of the former coach and Keith Dambrot would not be here. Change is good. Last edited by Duques102 (11/03/2017 11:47 am) Wish the guy well. Although my dad always taught me to honor every commitment that I make! Ferry wouldn't have been his coach. TJ's exit was the straw that broke the camel's back with regard to RE. I don't think GA could have gotten his bosses to pull the plug if TJ hadn't left. It was TJ's exit that made it look like RE had lost control of his program. Hate to rehash old news, but I couldn't let that comment slide without a response. TJ's exit was pretty similar to the player from Pitt who just jumped to UNC. You can understand the move, but you can also understand why some hated it. TJ's exit was pretty similar to the player from Pitt who just jumped to UNC. You can understand the move, but you can also understand why some hated it. Wish the guy well. Although my dad always taught me to honor every commitment that I make! Ferry wouldn't have been his coach. TJ's exit was the straw that broke the camel's back with regard to RE. I don't think GA could have gotten his bosses to pull the plug if TJ hadn't left. It was TJ's exit that made it look like RE had lost control of his program. Hate to rehash old news, but I couldn't let that comment slide without a response. TJ's exit was pretty similar to the player from Pitt who just jumped to UNC. You can understand the move, but you can also understand why some hated it. If we would have honored his contract, of course he would be the coach. Didn't mean to start a firestorm! TJ would be in the NBA no matter where he played, IMO. Ferry wouldn't have been his coach. TJ's exit was the straw that broke the camel's back with regard to RE. I don't think GA could have gotten his bosses to pull the plug if TJ hadn't left. It was TJ's exit that made it look like RE had lost control of his program. Hate to rehash old news, but I couldn't let that comment slide without a response. TJ's exit was pretty similar to the player from Pitt who just jumped to UNC. You can understand the move, but you can also understand why some hated it. If we would have honored his contract, of course he would be the coach. Well, if you look at it that way, we didn't honor Ferry's either. Actually, as long as you pay the coach what he's due, the contract has been honored. There is no requirement that the coach keeps his job. That said, if TJ stays, Ron gets at least one more year. That said, we now have a guy with a much better track record than Ron, or any other coach we've hired since Jim Satalin, and a good AD to boot, so maybe we've finally gotten it right. I will never forget one of the games at Palumbo where our "STAR", when bringing the ball up the court, yelled some expletives towards RE that were easily seen by the fans. After that season, I was not surprised that TJ went to Arizona. So, good luck to TJ, but I won't be one of his fans. Your opinion is your own and I respect it, but I hope this isn't one of the main reasons that it has been formulated. I can tell you for a fact that this happens all the time, everywhere, constantly. Players to coaches, coaches to players, players to players. It's a highly competitive environment with a lot on the line, it's just kind of the nature of the beast. No class though. The man that gave him his big break, when he was a sophomore in high school, lost his job because he left. Go ahead and defend him, loyalty is not in his makeup. I probably can't be objective about TJ since only one person in my family of 5 graduated from the same college that they started at and that person wasn't me. Granted more people felt bad when he left Duquesne than when I left where I started. However I don't think TJ owes Duquesne anything. He got a scholarship for as long as he played, and when he stopped playing for us we stopped giving him a scholarship. I wish he would have stayed like many of you but I don't think it would have saved RE's job. In fact it probably would've just postponed the situation that we have now. KD would be older and closer to retirement. Somerset 24, I can tell you for a fact that Ron was being let go TJ or no TJ. People also forget that Mike Talley announced his transfer prior to TJ. Although he averaged 50% FG, 43% 3P, 84%FT and had 171 assists more than all 3 of the other guards that year (Johnson,Evans and Talley) it was a constant battle. Steve Hall one of Ron’s assistants recruited the 2 Detroit guards he never believed that TJ was as good as them. That was the cancer that ate away at the team and Ron’s final year. Go back and look at the box score of the St. Joe’s game the opening league game. Dukes were up 40-27 at the half TJ was on fire in the first half I think he had 24. He was 10-16 from the field 5-6 from 3. He got 2 shots in the second have while the Detroit 2 threw up bricks. That was the beginning of the end. Last edited by The Dome (11/04/2017 2:19 pm) You’re correct. He was gone sooner or later. Amodio no longer wanted him. Tried to get Skip Prosser’s son on the staff. TJ bolting was the opening Amodio wanted. Dukes led by 9 with 5 minutes to go that night vs St. Joes. And Coach Hall certainly screwed his boss as you stated. The team has been a laughing stock up till this past March. Interesting stuff. If true, that sheds some light on why RE never made it over the hump. That was a heart breaker year for sure, I just hope we all are patient this year. The roster is thin and there is no tradition except for what Coach and the kids can begin this year. Somerset 24, I can tell you for a fact that Ron was being let go TJ or no TJ. People also forget that Mike Talley announced his transfer prior to TJ. Although he averaged 50% FG, 43% 3P, 84%FT and had 171 assists more than all 3 of the other guards that year (Johnson,Evans and Talley) it was a constant battle. Steve Hall one of Ron’s assistants recruited the 2 Detroit guards he never believed that TJ was as good as them. That was the cancer that ate away at the team and Ron’s final year. Go back and look at the box score of the St. Joe’s game the opening league game. Dukes were up 40-27 at the half TJ was on fire in the first half I think he had 24. He was 10-16 from the field 5-6 from 3. He got 2 shots in the second have while the Detroit 2 threw up bricks. That was the beginning of the end. Dome, thanks for the memory jog. There was something about that season that didn't sit right but I just couldn't remember what. Assistant coaches pushing for "their" kid rather than what was best for the team. If you all recall, Ron lost his original coaching staff within the first year or two (Pitino comes to mind). The staff ended up being a revolving door. Somerset 24, I can tell you for a fact that Ron was being let go TJ or no TJ. People also forget that Mike Talley announced his transfer prior to TJ. Although he averaged 50% FG, 43% 3P, 84%FT and had 171 assists more than all 3 of the other guards that year (Johnson,Evans and Talley) it was a constant battle. Steve Hall one of Ron’s assistants recruited the 2 Detroit guards he never believed that TJ was as good as them. That was the cancer that ate away at the team and Ron’s final year. Go back and look at the box score of the St. Joe’s game the opening league game. Dukes were up 40-27 at the half TJ was on fire in the first half I think he had 24. He was 10-16 from the field 5-6 from 3. He got 2 shots in the second have while the Detroit 2 threw up bricks. That was the beginning of the end. It should also be noted that while Johnson took the last shot in regulation for the win, the last shot in OT when they were down 2 went to Eric Evans, who finished 1/6 from the field. Further illustrates your point. He stabbed all of Duquesne in the back. He's a Judas! Both the current topic of this mbb board and the wbb thread have to do with the McConnell family. Last edited by duqkurt (11/07/2017 6:00 pm) If a thread doesn't interest you, don't click on it. This is wisdom from someone who posts regularly on a dozen message boards.
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Mike stayed in the league for about 12 years and made over $40,000,000 in his career.
Good Luck TJ, a Pittsburgh Original.......
A diehard fan since 1961
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president wrote:
While I agree with you, that is not necessarily fair in regards to TJs situation at Duquesne. In life I think this is a very important principle, your only as good as your word. I don't feel that principle applies to athletics especially in a situation where there is an opportunity to pursue athletics as a profession.
I was as sour as anyone about TJ leaving when he did, I would have walked on graduation day with him. I also received an athletic scholarship to Duquesne so I feel as if I have a unique perspective on the situation. I've said this in other posts re: TJ but, I totally see where he was coming from.
I tell people all the time how much I loved my time at Duquesne and if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, if I had two great first seasons at DU and UNC came knocking for me to transfer to play soccer there, I would have done it in a heartbeat. When you are playing on a team at that level no one is doing it for fun. Everyone thinks they have a shot at going pro, whatever level that might be.
With this perspective I just can't knock someone for trying to put themselves in the absolute best position to achieve life long hopes and dreams. I wanted to play professional soccer since I was 3 years old and I never got to, and that's ok. But for someone to blame him for leaving is not in any way fair. He increased his chances of playing in the NBA exponentially by going to Arizona and anybody being realistic would acknowledge that.
How can you blame kids for leaving when these coaches making millions sit in a kids living room and tell his parents he will take care of their child, and help him become a man over the next 4 years only to leave within the next year to take more money, better their own personal situation.
Who's willing to bet that TJ would have made it to the NBA with Ferry as his coach for his last two seasons. That idea is utterly laughable. I choose to enjoy the memories of watching him play at Palumbo, he put on so many dazzling displays for us. He then went on to fulfill his dream.
Duquesne will always be a part of his journey. I will always root for him.
At the time the program wasn't big enough to hold onto a star like TJ. The hope with this leadership team is to make this program a destination for players like TJ to come and to stay.
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I was upset when TJ left because in my mind it seemed conspiratorial with regards to Amodio dumber the then-coach. Regardless of what I read into the situation, TJ still has the same right as any student to decide that another University would have been of more benefit to him. So, all the best to him, and think of us kindly whenever the name pops up in an interview.
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ElDuque wrote:
I was upset when TJ left because in my mind it seemed conspiratorial with regards to Amodio dumber the then-coach. Regardless of what I read into the situation, TJ still has the same right as any student to decide that another University would have been of more benefit to him. So, all the best to him, and think of us kindly whenever the name pops up in an interview.
Exactly. Although back then I thought the most sketchy part about the whole situation was that we played them that year and TJ then transfers there basically as soon as the season ends. Stinks of recruiting him throughout that season to the high heavens.
One of there assistants was arrested in the FBI probe, likely taking the fall for Miller in some capacity. Does anyone really think the Pittsburgh point guard would have nothing to do with recruiting TJ in season???
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Duques102 wrote:president wrote:
While I agree with you, that is not necessarily fair in regards to TJs situation at Duquesne. In life I think this is a very important principle, your only as good as your word. I don't feel that principle applies to athletics especially in a situation where there is an opportunity to pursue athletics as a profession.
I was as sour as anyone about TJ leaving when he did, I would have walked on graduation day with him. I also received an athletic scholarship to Duquesne so I feel as if I have a unique perspective on the situation. I've said this in other posts re: TJ but, I totally see where he was coming from.
I tell people all the time how much I loved my time at Duquesne and if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, if I had two great first seasons at DU and UNC came knocking for me to transfer to play soccer there, I would have done it in a heartbeat. When you are playing on a team at that level no one is doing it for fun. Everyone thinks they have a shot at going pro, whatever level that might be.
With this perspective I just can't knock someone for trying to put themselves in the absolute best position to achieve life long hopes and dreams. I wanted to play professional soccer since I was 3 years old and I never got to, and that's ok. But for someone to blame him for leaving is not in any way fair. He increased his chances of playing in the NBA exponentially by going to Arizona and anybody being realistic would acknowledge that.
How can you blame kids for leaving when these coaches making millions sit in a kids living room and tell his parents he will take care of their child, and help him become a man over the next 4 years only to leave within the next year to take more money, better their own personal situation.
Who's willing to bet that TJ would have made it to the NBA with Ferry as his coach for his last two seasons. That idea is utterly laughable. I choose to enjoy the memories of watching him play at Palumbo, he put on so many dazzling displays for us. He then went on to fulfill his dream.
Duquesne will always be a part of his journey. I will always root for him.
At the time the program wasn't big enough to hold onto a star like TJ. The hope with this leadership team is to make this program a destination for players like TJ to come and to stay.
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duq81 wrote:
I definitely understand why the move was hated. As I said, I hated it myself as much as the next guy.
Also thanks for the clarification about how that all went down. That was the infancy of my fandom so I wasn't as familiar with the inner workings of the program and it's dynamics.
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duq81 wrote:Duques102 wrote:president wrote:
While I agree with you, that is not necessarily fair in regards to TJs situation at Duquesne. In life I think this is a very important principle, your only as good as your word. I don't feel that principle applies to athletics especially in a situation where there is an opportunity to pursue athletics as a profession.
I was as sour as anyone about TJ leaving when he did, I would have walked on graduation day with him. I also received an athletic scholarship to Duquesne so I feel as if I have a unique perspective on the situation. I've said this in other posts re: TJ but, I totally see where he was coming from.
I tell people all the time how much I loved my time at Duquesne and if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, if I had two great first seasons at DU and UNC came knocking for me to transfer to play soccer there, I would have done it in a heartbeat. When you are playing on a team at that level no one is doing it for fun. Everyone thinks they have a shot at going pro, whatever level that might be.
With this perspective I just can't knock someone for trying to put themselves in the absolute best position to achieve life long hopes and dreams. I wanted to play professional soccer since I was 3 years old and I never got to, and that's ok. But for someone to blame him for leaving is not in any way fair. He increased his chances of playing in the NBA exponentially by going to Arizona and anybody being realistic would acknowledge that.
How can you blame kids for leaving when these coaches making millions sit in a kids living room and tell his parents he will take care of their child, and help him become a man over the next 4 years only to leave within the next year to take more money, better their own personal situation.
Who's willing to bet that TJ would have made it to the NBA with Ferry as his coach for his last two seasons. That idea is utterly laughable. I choose to enjoy the memories of watching him play at Palumbo, he put on so many dazzling displays for us. He then went on to fulfill his dream.
Duquesne will always be a part of his journey. I will always root for him.
At the time the program wasn't big enough to hold onto a star like TJ. The hope with this leadership team is to make this program a destination for players like TJ to come and to stay.
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ElDuque wrote:duq81 wrote:Duques102 wrote:
While I agree with you, that is not necessarily fair in regards to TJs situation at Duquesne. In life I think this is a very important principle, your only as good as your word. I don't feel that principle applies to athletics especially in a situation where there is an opportunity to pursue athletics as a profession.
I was as sour as anyone about TJ leaving when he did, I would have walked on graduation day with him. I also received an athletic scholarship to Duquesne so I feel as if I have a unique perspective on the situation. I've said this in other posts re: TJ but, I totally see where he was coming from.
I tell people all the time how much I loved my time at Duquesne and if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, if I had two great first seasons at DU and UNC came knocking for me to transfer to play soccer there, I would have done it in a heartbeat. When you are playing on a team at that level no one is doing it for fun. Everyone thinks they have a shot at going pro, whatever level that might be.
With this perspective I just can't knock someone for trying to put themselves in the absolute best position to achieve life long hopes and dreams. I wanted to play professional soccer since I was 3 years old and I never got to, and that's ok. But for someone to blame him for leaving is not in any way fair. He increased his chances of playing in the NBA exponentially by going to Arizona and anybody being realistic would acknowledge that.
How can you blame kids for leaving when these coaches making millions sit in a kids living room and tell his parents he will take care of their child, and help him become a man over the next 4 years only to leave within the next year to take more money, better their own personal situation.
Who's willing to bet that TJ would have made it to the NBA with Ferry as his coach for his last two seasons. That idea is utterly laughable. I choose to enjoy the memories of watching him play at Palumbo, he put on so many dazzling displays for us. He then went on to fulfill his dream.
Duquesne will always be a part of his journey. I will always root for him.
At the time the program wasn't big enough to hold onto a star like TJ. The hope with this leadership team is to make this program a destination for players like TJ to come and to stay.
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fjhryn wrote:
It is widely known that Coach K at Duke has quite possibly the dirtiest mouth of anyone in college basketball. He is extremely vulgar towards players and refs constantly, and is widely considered one of the best coaches of all time and a hall of famer. Look at Bob Knight. That stuff has always existed and always will.
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I forgot to add we lost 2 in OT. Sean Johnson taking the last shot. He was 4/16 from the field.
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As for the loyalty thing, I can't fault a kid or an adult for following their dreams. TJ reached for the stars & actually managed to catch one. He could never have accomplished that at DU. Whether he did this in a professional, mature way; I have no idea.
RE's goose was cooked one way or the other by the end of his last season. Three straight late season swoons without signing a killer recruiting class for the following year brought on an icky finish to what started with great promise. Too bad all the way around. It would have been incredible to have RE & TJ get the program to the dance together. It just wasn't in the cards.
Bring on the Dambrot Era. This time, I BELIEVE!
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I am hoping for some good health for the players, some breaks at the end of close games and throw in some much needed good luck, this year. Go Dukes!
And as far as TJ, only the best in the future years.
A diehard fan since 1961
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The Dome wrote:
I forgot to add we lost 2 in OT. Sean Johnson taking the last shot. He was 4/16 from the field.
WE ARE CREEPING UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR....
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The Dome wrote:
I forgot to add we lost 2 in OT. Sean Johnson taking the last shot. He was 4/16 from the field.
I'll unfortunately never forget this game as being from the Philly area, my dad went to St Joe's. I still pull for the hawks whenever they aren't playing us, but our rivalry for bragging rights gets intense.
The surprising part is that even with the JF years its been relatively even head-to-head since I became a fan (freshman 07/08), though there have been several heartbreaking losses (last minute OT loss in 09, A10 tourney OT loss in 11, this OT loss in 12, Mike Lewis missing both free throws this past year).
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IMO, enough already. The obsession with what this family is doing needs to stop. 😀. They don’t spend a second of their days thinking about Duquesne
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1 