Being a DUQ fan for only the last 6 years.....I am thrilled that we can look at conference games as "should win." 

In the Jim Ferry SZNs it seemed like we were playing in the ACC. We are a young - balanced team that battling a little bit of in injury bug. I am knocking on wood but it seems like we have a great AD and head coach.  
I am so excited for my alma mater. 

stew wrote:

What is the status of TDM?Dukes could finish off these 4 teams but it gets a lot tougher without TDM.
It didn't look good when he left the game at Dayton.Going to be difficult without him.

Only thing I heard was it was a sprain.  IDK for sure, not sure anyone does outside of the team.
Wade and Norman will have to step it up.   Both can bring it.
 

FAM wrote:

Does anyone know the last time we beat the Bonnies???

January 16, 2016  95-88  @ Palumbo

I saw TDM walking on campus and based upon what I saw my guess is that he won't be out for an extended period.  I would guess that he will miss a game or two.  Keep in mind that my handle is not "thedoctor1099"!!

Since KD made his "Do you guys want to win championships?" statement, I'm getting the vibe that he thinks the Dukes can become championship caliber this year.  He admits that they are not there yet, but they can be if they keep improving.  I have seen comments from some posters along the line of "Why not us?".

Here's a couple points that support this thinking.
• The A-10 is really down this year.  The conference now is the 12th best per KenPom.  The West Coast Conference, MAC, Southern and Ivy Leagues are all ahead of the A-10. Top to bottom, the conference is as weak as it has ever been.
• Separation of the A-10 teams into tiers has happened
--- VCU, Dayton and Davidson are the cream of the crop; Dukes are 0-3 but all 3 games came down to the final 120 seconds; certainly competed and were not outmatched. One game to go vs. Dayton at home.
--- Next tier is George Mason, Rhode Island and Saint Louis. Dukes are 2-0 vs this tier, with 2 games on the road to play.
--- Dukes and Bonnies fall into next tier.  2 games left here.
--- The bottom 6 teams.  Dukes are 4-0 here; with 4 games to go.

Moving up to the next tier starts Wednesday with a win vs. the Bonnies.  We must hold serve at home.  

They have a duo, G and F, that can fill it up.  This is a game we need MHughes, EW and Sin to all play at a high level.  

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

• Separation of the A-10 teams into tiers has happened
--- VCU, Dayton and Davidson are the cream of the crop; Dukes are 0-3 but all 3 games came down to the final 120 seconds; certainly competed and were not outmatched. One game to go vs. Dayton at home.
--- Next tier is George Mason, Rhode Island and Saint Louis. Dukes are 2-0 vs this tier, with 2 games on the road to play.
--- Dukes and Bonnies fall into next tier.  2 games left here.
--- The bottom 6 teams.  Dukes are 4-0 here; with 4 games to go.

Moving up to the next tier starts Wednesday with a win vs. the Bonnies.  We must hold serve at home.  

Great post. I would say that Mason is first tier, as it has only lost to two other top tier teams (1 home/ 1 road) and has a road win at Dayton. 

I'd also put Duquesne and Bonas in the same tier as Rhody, and St. Louis. 
        * Bonas 0-3 vs. top tier, 0-1 vs. middle, and 4-0 vs. rest of league
        * Rhody 1-1 vs. top, 2-2 vs. middle, and 2-1 vs. rest
        * St. Louis 0-1 vs. top, 1-2 vs. middle, and 4-1 vs. rest
        * Dukes are 0-3 vs. top, 2-0 vs. middle, and 3-0 vs. rest

This is shaping up to be a good game tomorrow night. I watched the Bona/Davidson game, which was a mirror of the Duq/Dayton game (except Bona was home). The Bonnies are coming on strong now that they are healthier. Hoping that TDM is ready to give some minutes.

Go Dukes!

Last edited by rosceaux (2/05/2019 10:41 am)

That's what I figured. George Mason has seemed to figure things out once conference play started, and Stockard started to get healthy for the Bonnies around the same time. Both teams playing better, especially a number of the younger Bonnies. Their KenPom numbers likely skew lower due to their non-conference performances.

On the flip side, St. Louis is getting crushed with injuries right now, and ours are starting to mount. Its never an excuse for not winning. With both TDM and Norman out, Wade is going to have to pick up some minutes. Good thing he's seen as much game action as he has.