Something’s just off with this team this year. Can’t really put my finger on it. The program seems to have stalled a bit. Hopefully dan can get them rolling again in conference play.

Yeah I really don’t know what to make of it all. Something is obviously not working but why?

I'm gonna speculate on the bad shooting.....We're streaky shooters at best from the outside, and inside lately it seems to me when we get the ball near the rim, we put up a "in the general vicinity shot". Or we short arm the shot and end up hitting the bottom of the rim. If nothing else, as Chassidy does sometimes, at least loft the shot a little. There seems to be no concentration focusing on the back of the rim. Fix the shooting and we'll be OK.

These are certainly tough times for the Dukes.  I knew there were no mail-in wins on the schedule; so I expected losses, but the nature of the losses is a bit surprising.  I’ve attended games and seen firsthand the lack of cohesive play, unforced errors, blown leads, and long dry spells.  Nonetheless, there is still time to regroup and salvage the season in league play. 
Take a break and come back with a new attitude!

Obviously Conor has a knee injury.  I don’t know the extent or variety of injury.  I do know that she is wearing a knee brace and was hampered pretty badly against UCF.  I thought she looked better against ETSU; but still hampered.  So I don’t know that she will be able to contribute much offensively.

Agree totally.  If so many parts (of a team's game, are not performing well, would there be any logic in stepping back and considering changes while there is still time?  I have never been a college coach, but I have been a college basketball analysist and here is what I believe is needed:

We all agree the team is not quick.  So why not do what so many other successful teams (with similar lack of athleticism) do?  Play zone.

The lack of quickness also impacts the offense.  The shots are not falling because the opposing teams pressure Duquesne's perimeter players.  The offensive sets that worked well in previous seasons (especially in Duquesne's magical year they made it to the NCAA), are no longer effective.  Look at the math.  The posts (collectively) are converting a much higher percentage of their shots than the guards, so redesign (and simplify) the offense where the first option is to go inside, rather than shoot the 3-ball.  

Finally, bench those players who come down the court looking (first) to shoot, rather than looking to find a teammate who has a better shot.

Long range - you either begin to recruit athleticism OR recruit exceptional size- not 6'3 or 6'4, but 6'5 and up.  More and more mid-majors are going this route.

Wishing the team all the best as we head into Conference.

 

To Skeptic Al, Congratulations on getting the Christmas Card.  In the long run, those personal touches mean more than wins and losses.  I just recently had my own special experience with one of my adopted teams (the Oregon State Beavers), where I met the team and coaches, told them the story of why I adopted them, got photos and had incredible conversations with several of the players.  I have had similar bonding experiences with Stanford, Michigan State and Georgia Tech as well as mid-majors like Creighton, Oral Roberts, Fresno State - and of course the Dukes, over the years.

I agree with most of your points.  I began watching April Robinson as a HS sophomore (at S. Springfield in Virginia), and knew right then she was special.  Had she not been injured, she would have been an all-state performer and recruited by Power Five schools.  Dan may not have gotten her.  YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.  Give the ball to April with 6.7 seconds left and she would deliver. What I loved most about April was that she was always looking to pass the ball into the post.  YES- same with Deva Nyar.  

What I don't understand is why the Dukes haven't recruited more athletic JC Players.  Mid-Majors all over are gobbling them up and they are producing.  Dan is not going to get these kinds of kids right out of HS, but he has a much better chance getting them after a year or two of JC.

I would argue that (without an April and Deva Nyar), plus more active posts like Amadea- the offensive sets that seemed to flow so beautifully, break down.  You need certain types of players to execute that offense.  Without those players, you need to make adjustments- and those adjustments have not been made.

Duquesne is shooting 26.4% from beyond the 3-point line.  No matter how you work the math, a team that relies so much on the 3-ball and shoots that poorly is not going to win a lot of games because other teams are getting far too many second-chance points and there is a huge disparity in points in the paint.  

I have not talked with Dan about it, (I will, next time I see him), but why hasn't Duquesne experimented with the zone to take away the driving lanes- which are killing the Dukes.?  I've said this before, but I watch games all over the country and there are many mid-majors (and even Power Five's), that use the zone so effectively.  Don't get it.

Again, thanks for your excellent posts.