Agree it was a good article, except for:

"The Dukes have played modest competition thus far, nothing but fellow mid-major programs until starting A-10 play in January."

This has been a point of discussion here. In this case, it sounds like Duquesne is a mid-major, while the Conference we play in is in a higher category
 

applecorps wrote:

Agree it was a good article, except for:

"The Dukes have played modest competition thus far, nothing but fellow mid-major programs until starting A-10 play in January."

This has been a point of discussion here. In this case, it sounds like Duquesne is a mid-major, while the Conference we play in is in a higher category
 

If you look at the most recent few decades, some would argue that the “mid-major” label would be generous for us.

I know some on the board don’t like to hear/talk about strength of schedule but the reality is it has been really weak (300+) which you can find stated by many a credible source.

It’s ok to accept this as reality and still think the team is strong and talented and can do well both this year and in the future. We have done really well this season and subsequently have been getting more attention than usual (undefeated map, Sports Illustrated, Trib coverage, Andy Katz power rankings). When was the last time Duquesne hoops had an SI article written about them that was strictly basketball related?

Our schedule has been weak and in the grand scheme of things we have played no one. Fact. I’m worried about the UAB matchup but based on their record they are also in the category of a “no one” this year (to a national audience ) fact. We have the opportunity to beat some very very good teams later in the season and change the narrative on our record. Fact. We won’t know if we have truly arrived until we play those games. Fact.

This is a crawl, walk, run and I believe we are in the jogging stages. Students are starting to participate with the program via social media even if it hasn’t translated to attendance, YET.

Being a good team and playing a strong schedule are not mutually exclusive, and although our OOC is not strong this year I agree with KD it is exactly what we needed as a team to build chemistry with new pieces.

Use the fact that we have played no one as motivation. A reason to have to keep going out there and proving the doubters wrong every night. The Dukes will have the chance to change peoples opinions this season when conference play starts.

If we continue to have success this season next year will see better attendance and likely stronger OOC matchups. It’s ok to say that we had a light schedule in the meantime, because we can also highlight the fact that we haven’t lost.

Go Dukes!!!

Wonderful PR article.  Nothing to argue with there.  Let's hope we keep winning at LEAST until we play St. Louis.  Go Dukes.

Duques102 wrote:

applecorps wrote:

Agree it was a good article, except for:

"The Dukes have played modest competition thus far, nothing but fellow mid-major programs until starting A-10 play in January."

This has been a point of discussion here. In this case, it sounds like Duquesne is a mid-major, while the Conference we play in is in a higher category
 

If you look at the most recent few decades, some would argue that the “mid-major” label would be generous for us.

I know some on the board don’t like to hear/talk about strength of schedule but the reality is it has been really weak (300+) which you can find stated by many a credible source.

It’s ok to accept this as reality and still think the team is strong and talented and can do well both this year and in the future. We have done really well this season and subsequently have been getting more attention than usual (undefeated map, Sports Illustrated, Trib coverage, Andy Katz power rankings). When was the last time Duquesne hoops had an SI article written about them that was strictly basketball related?

Our schedule has been weak and in the grand scheme of things we have played no one. Fact. I’m worried about the UAB matchup but based on their record they are also in the category of a “no one” this year (to a national audience ) fact. We have the opportunity to beat some very very good teams later in the season and change the narrative on our record. Fact. We won’t know if we have truly arrived until we play those games. Fact.

This is a crawl, walk, run and I believe we are in the jogging stages. Students are starting to participate with the program via social media even if it hasn’t translated to attendance, YET.

Being a good team and playing a strong schedule are not mutually exclusive, and although our OOC is not strong this year I agree with KD it is exactly what we needed as a team to build chemistry with new pieces.

Use the fact that we have played no one as motivation. A reason to have to keep going out there and proving the doubters wrong every night. The Dukes will have the chance to change peoples opinions this season when conference play starts.

If we continue to have success this season next year will see better attendance and likely stronger OOC matchups. It’s ok to say that we had a light schedule in the meantime, because we can also highlight the fact that we haven’t lost.

Go Dukes!!!

The decades have been unkind for all of us. But I think we all agree that there is a new era, and it's just a matter of degree as to what our expectations are. We are into the Dambrot Era a couple years and it is looking good.

The teams in the "Power 5" or whatever that have losing seasons in basketball or football every year are never labelled as being of a lesser brand than their conferences. That's what I meant with the comment about SI piece saying that the Dukes are playing against "other mid-majors" until A-10 play starts. We are an A-10 team and as last year proved, a good one and getting better.

It's time to forget the last decades and remember the recent and ongoing stuff.  

Article mentions Harper tried to get road games with Power 5 conferences to no success. I think that adds some context for the schedule. Good article.