PhoenixRising2 wrote:

7:00pm tip on Tuesday 11/14/2017.
Per KenPom:
Dukes #235 (1-0) vs Virginia Military Institute - VMI  #342 (0-1)
VMI projected to finish 10th of 10 teams in the Southern Conference
Game prediction: Dukes by 14, 82-68 - Dukes with 89% probability of a win.
Betting line opened at 14; current line up to 15½ with over under at 148½.
 

Your old friend Tejas (The Greek) Duke  likes the Dukes and the points but I like the under 148.5.  Dukes 75-60
 

Duq 68-59. Defense clamps down. Offense doesn't shake off the woes yet.

Here's a report from the VMI - NC State.game:  https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/scoring-balance-fuels-pack-in-keatts-debut-111017
Couple of excerpts:
Bubba Parham scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead VMI. Tyler Creammer and Keith Smith added 10 points each for the Keydets.  VMI shot just 36 percent, including 4 of 20 from 3-point range.

The Keydets knew they had some retooling to do after losing four of their top five scorers from a year ago. They started four sophomores and a freshman against N.C. State, and the inexperience was evident in their slow start to the game. ”It took awhile for us to get our feet under us,” VMI coach Dan Earl said. ”But once we did, I thought we did a better job of attacking in the second half.”

VMI played without Armani Branch, its leading returning scorer. Branch missed the game with an undisclosed injury.

Last edited by PhoenixRising2 (11/14/2017 3:09 pm)

Look solid on d and ok on offense but shots aren't really falling. VMI sucks.

Chaz Brown is shorter than Verhoeven as well. Idk how tall he's listed but I'd say 6'7"

Pretty decent half. Lots of steals. Lewis and Castro are putting on a shooting clinic.

Duques102 wrote:

Look solid on d and ok on offense but shots aren't really falling. VMI sucks.

Chaz Brown is shorter than Verhoeven as well. Idk how tall he's listed but I'd say 6'7"

I noticed when Brown was next to Krivececic(sp?) he looked to be 2 to 3 inches shorter.

ElDuque wrote:

Seeing more and crisper passing. ​And something I complained we didn't see enough of in past years: players diving to the floor for loose balls.

​MLII having a good first half. Concerned about Verhoeven (3) and Robinson (2) fouls.

Hey, is Kellon Taylor suited up?

He's in street clothes.

VBC just got on camera.

That second half was not a thing of beauty. Thought the officiating was pretty poor. Lewis got mauled on that drive and no call, but then they call a cheap foul on tydus.

This team struggles at times but plays together, Smith, Castro and Lewis II can put points on the board, unlike last year, Dukes can give up a big lead but still can win in the end.

These kids were tired at the 10 min mark of second half but gutted thru for another W, playing with 8 is hard with a 30 sec clock.
It was nice to see some good d out there tonite. , at times.

WashPaRick wrote:

A-10 board shows us as a 14 pt. favorite. Sure would be nice to be 2-0. I'm looking for a 78-61 win with Robinson not getting a double-double.

Little bit better guess than the first game. 

Two games in and I have to say, I love the increased commitment to following shots and going for rebounds. There were some times when it felt like we just gave those opportunities up with the past couple of coaches. There are lots of points we're getting off of that. It's appreciated.