Fordham swept GW in the regular season. We swept Fordham. Rhode Island destroyed us in the regular season, but they're stumbling down the stretch, and we've played them pretty even recently other than this year. Richmond would obviously be a tough out, but if Davidson can find a couple wins we've already beaten them this season. We've played Dayton about as tough as anyone, except for St. Louis who we swept. Like coach said, there's a path to the NCAA if we play our bring our A game to Brooklyn. If not, we need at least two wins to make the NIT.

Losing to either of those 2 teams on the second night of a back to back would be a decent sized upset. I loke how this bracket shapes up for the Dukes.

Dukes must at least the first round.  A loss to GW or Fordham would cost us the NIT.  A win against Rhode Island could lock up a bid with a decent seed.

Lose to GW or Fordham and the season would be over since KD probably wouldn’t want to play CBI.

I do like the 6 spot draw. Remember last years A-10 Tournament. SLU won it as a 6. Hey does anyone know what happened with the powder blue uniforms? They reminded me of the Nelson twin era uniforms. Maybe I missed something but I don’t recall a game in which the Dukes went powder blue.

duq81 wrote:

coffee wrote:

Dukes must at least the first round.  A loss to GW or Fordham would cost us the NIT.  A win against Rhode Island could lock up a bid with a decent seed.

Lose to GW or Fordham and the season would be over since KD probably wouldn’t want to play CBI.

Agree! 21 wins makes this a successful season, but making the NIT would make it a VERY successful season. The Dukes have made a habit of closing their most successful seasons by losing to a bad team in the A10 opener. 2011, and the lone decent season under Ferry in 2016 come to mind. It would really be a sour ending to go out to Fordham, or GW in our opening game. I can live with a loss to SLU after that, although a trip to the semi final would lock up an NIT bid.
 

We wouldn't play SLU until the finals.

BluffHunter wrote:

Ironduke81 wrote:

I do like the 6 spot draw. Remember last years A-10 Tournament. SLU won it as a 6. Hey does anyone know what happened with the powder blue uniforms? They reminded me of the Nelson twin era uniforms. Maybe I missed something but I don’t recall a game in which the Dukes went powder blue.

They did not make an appearance for some reason. But the (much better) home white uniforms we started using halfway through the season were introduced the day of the game they started wearing them. 

 
I’ve NEVER liked the home whites, no matter what version.  They look like we’re playing in our underwear.  Maybe the dark blue for away and the red for home games.  Both are more psychologically intimidating than the surrender white boxers.

It all depends what Dukes team shows up in the first game.  Not only do they have to show up with claws out ready to fight their way to a win, if they get it going and somehow get a relaxing victory in game 1, but that can carry over to game 2 and beyond.
Struggle, come out slow and sloppy, play down to opponent, eek out a win and that could also set a bad tone IMO.

I wouldnt mind seeing Mike Hughes making the all tourney team.   

St Joes was pretty relaxing.
But if they come out and just play like they can, and did vs the better teams in conference, a 10+ pt victory is possible.   Thing is, will they come out and play 40 strong minutes.    
Yes, a W is good enough in March, ugly, pretty, whatever.   

Improved foul shooting would be a big help.
Hughes, Weathers and SC are the key.
They must show leadership and play well.