What a game performance delivered by Marcus Weathers and Michael Hughes. A combined 47 minute efficient performance...
27 Points; 24 Rebounds; 8-11 from the line; 2 blocks; 3 assists and only 1 turnover.

This was more like it.  I was at the Bonnies game last Wednesday, a disappointing loss considering it could have easily been a win if we had only made some foul shots or played smarter, but at the same time, we had guys playing hurt who didn't get to practice much, so I wasn't gonna slit my wrists over it.  I figured they'd get it back together & run off a few more wins.

Defense really got us back in the game in the second half.  I always find the coach's postgame interviews amusing.  Keith downplays how good he is at halftime adjustments.  He'll say things like, I just got on the guys & told 'em to play harder.  I'm sure there's a lot more to it than that.

duq81 wrote:

So much whining. LOL!!!

 
Sorry for the education but not good to show up the referees who have all the power in determining the outcome of a game . Can you say NO Saints. Seriously if I had 1 dollar for every eye roll or hands up why me I would be very rich. The call is never going to be overturned so play hard. This team needs maturity in all aspects of the game. Stop the whining.

My thoughts on some of the back-&-forth in this discussion, for whatever it's worth:  Everybody sports fan enjoys a lively debate & there's certainly nothing wrong with pointing out any of the team's perceived shortcomings.  When it's all said & done, however, hopefully everybody should be happy with where the team stands at this moment in time.  Personally, I'm ecstatic - 16-8 overall, 7-4 in the league, in 5th place just a half-game behind the next team in front of us.  This with a team of freshmen & sophomores in what has been called Keith's "second first year," just 2 years removed from a disastrous 5-year "program" that saw an overall 60-97 record, the final year of which featured a 10-22 showing & a ridiculous loss in the first round of the A-10 tournament as the host team, when the team blew a lead that any 5 of us would have been able to protect.

If time travel were possible, I think our current team would beat any of Ferry's teams rather decisively, possibly with the exception of the year that we had Ovie Soko.  I've seen 8 games in person this season & have tickets for 2 more.  I didn't go to much more than 10 games during Ferry's entire tenure.  This season I'm enjoying the ride.  No matter how it ends, I see nothing but good times ahead. 

Westender wrote:

Was watching on ESPN +. Turned it off a little past the 1/2 way mark of the 1st half. Just checked the score. Things are no better. No Rhode Island comeback today. I guess the moment of truth has arrived, although I certainly don't think that they don't have a few good games left in them. 

Checked the score a few times after I turned ESPN + off and they were still down by 16, so I went to church. On the way, I learned the Dukes were ahead by 1. Well slap me in the face and nickname me Thomas. Couldn't be happier to find out I was wrong. But, how many more times are they going to pull a rabbit out of the hat?? Still worried about LaSalle. Need to win Wednesday night.

Does anyone know if replay is available on ESPN + ?

Great come back for the Dukes.  Game ball to Marcus Weathers with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but I have to say that TDM deserves a share of the game ball.  Unbelievable energy and effort by TDM in that second half.  He was the spark plug that turned the engine cranking.  I hope he stays healthy we really need him. 

This team does not realize how really, really good they are.  I believe that if they play consistently with the effort and intensity they showed in the second half they can make a run for the title, and I don't think anybody can stop them.  I honestly don't understand why they have to spot teams 15 to 20 points before they decide to show up. Unlike a poster who said the Dukes are incapable of playing two good halves, I believe they can if they want it bad enough.  It is gut check time for our Dukes.   

To follow up on Officer Dribble's and CLK's most recent observations, I revisited my post on what I saw in practices before official NCAA allowed practices.  I wrote:[b][b]"Here is what I know after having the privilege to observe a couple of practice session.    I did not see any one player who stuck out like a sore thumb.  This team is that good!!!  I will not be surprised if ML does not start. ( He is now gone.)   Sincere Carry is that good!!!  Nothing has changed to the negative in Eric Williams' game.   

The Freshmen bigs are as advertised.  Look for Austin Rotroff to be a contributor.  (He did before injury.)  appears to be a legit two-way player.  Looks for Gavin Bizeau to be a contributor,  He is a 6'11" guard.  (He is contributing)  Look for Marcus Weathers to be a force at the 4.  Look for Mike Hughes to start at PF/C. Look for a lot of kids to get playing time.  Look for quickness in our inside game as opposed to pure footspeed.  Look for a full court press defense.  Look for 1/3/1/and 2/3 zones. Things have changed a lot.  Don't accept these as exclusive observations.  They only represent the highlights of the practices I saw.   I saw a lot that I liked.  IMO this team will be good or very good."

I was remiss in observations as to Frankie Hughes. So too for not saying anything about Tavian.  Be that as it may.  What I saw is and has been a reality to date this year.  I still believe this team is good and on the cusp of becoming very good.  I say that for the basic reason they have learned how to win even if it takes until the second half to realize that.  To quote Officer D, I too am  enjoying the ride.[/b][/b]

Last edited by grammudder (2/10/2019 10:10 am)