Wow...can you say Eric Williams???  I understand that the coach probably had something to do with this...but this is a HUGE loss, no doubt about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Styles:  I agree with you 100%...on everything you said about Dambrot and it seems like he has trouble working with really talented people (referring to your second post).  Yes, LeBron James was a long time ago and it doesn't appear that KD has adjusted.  I understand Carrie may have caused some issues and Baker is sooo immature...but we should have never lost WIlliams.  If he doesn't get some really good players we will be better because of his coaching and that is nice....but still NO NIT or NCAA appearances but the players he is getting...or should I say able to keep, aren't at the top level so far.  Folks can argue...but the facts speak for themselves as far as no tournaments.   Dambrot has brought us to the next level...maybe the AD needs to start looking at the next coach who will get us to a post-season tournament/or winning the A-10.  We now have that support from the administration, support from the President, very good AD, and a new facility.  Now what???  Go ahead, throw things at me...Go Dukes!

 

Last edited by FAM (4/22/2021 10:51 am)

FAM wrote:

Wow...can you say Eric Williams???  I understand that the coach probably had something to do with this...but this is a HUGE loss, no doubt about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Styles:  I agree with you 100%...on everything you said about Dambrot and it seems like he has trouble working with really talented people (referring to your second post).  Yes, LeBron James was a long time ago and it doesn't appear that KD has adjusted.  I understand Carrie may have caused some issues and Baker is sooo immature...but we should have never lost WIlliams.  If he doesn't get some really good players we will be better because of his coaching and that is nice....but still NO NIT or NCAA appearances but the players he is getting...or should I say able to keep, aren't at the top level so far.  Folks can argue...but the facts speak for themselves as far as no tournaments.   Dambrot has brought us to the next level...maybe the AD needs to start looking at the next coach who will get us to a post-season tournament/or winning the A-10.  We now have that support from the administration, support from the President, very good AD, and a new facility.  Now what???  Go ahead, throw things at me...Go Dukes!

 

Thanks FAM.  

I must say though I am still a KD guy.  The differences between him and Ferry's in-game management are striking.  KD has won many games for this team in the last 4 minutes that Ferry would time and time again lose.  I think the onus is on KD now to tweak his team management style as the "my way or the highway" philosophy doesn't work with today's athletes - especially with the ever-present portal option.  I believe he can too.  Otherwise, I love what KD has brought to the bluff.  he just needs that special player to come along, stay, and push us over the hump.  Sin was possibly that player.  Eric Williams certainly could have been (imagine him on last year's team WITH Sin - Dukes are a top 3 A-10 team!) and Baker sure looked like he could have been.

Hey...I'm still a KD guy too...but facts in terms of no tournament - kids leaving - are there.  As I said, many times, he has brought this program up from the previous coach...and now he has what he wants...and the transfer portal applies to ALL teams, not just DU.  Go Dukes!

Mulder wrote:

I don't know how many of you have been around since Duquesne lost to UNC in NCAA 1969 or last made the NCAA tourney in 1977 (or if any of you are still paying attention to this now long thread).  I am one who saw the loss to UNC and all that happened since. 

Keith Dambrot is the best coach we have had here since Red Manning (maybe except for Mike Rice though he certainly wasn't perfect).  He is in the best position to get Duquesne back.  He has the support of a solid AD in Harper and a top President in Gormley.  The difference now is the transfer portal and the transfer mess created in part by the pandemic. 

Might there be a time when I would agree that the problem is Keith Dambrot?  Sure - no one is perfect.  But that would take many more years after what should be a contract extension assuming he accepts.  Why?  Because I have lived long enough to see the freaking mess that Duquesne basketball has been over the years with coach after coach and AD after AD and President after President all failing in ways large and small.  And the situation now is even more complicated.  This is the best Duquesne has looked both academically and athletically in many many years. 

If Baker was creating problems (like some that we saw with the T's) then he should go.  If it was KD's choice then I applaud him for taking control, for being in charge, for not accepting someone challenging his system.

Again, Keith Dambrot's contract should be extended.  And you can end this thread now.

I agree Mulder 100%.  Look at what KD has accomplished under very adverse circumstances.  He inherited a team that only won three games. In his first year he has a break even season, followed by a 19 win season, and then a 21 win season.  Some may disagree, but I still believe that last year has to be counted as a mulligan year for KD.  KD had no home court, no summer work outs, horrible practice facilities, shut down by covid three times, and the loss of three players during the season and still managed to not have a losing season.

I am excited about what KD has done so far this recruiting season.  I had heard from some fans that were on a Zoom call with Dave Harper and KD a few weeks ago, that KD is very high on Williams and Gunn and thinks they may prove to be better players than Weathers and Hughes.  I know there are some on the Board that were on that call that may confirm that statement.

KD and staff are working hard to bring in high level players, DU is not done recruiting. I think that some may need to brace themselves as there most assuredly will be more departures.  
 

CLK wrote:

Mulder wrote:

I don't know how many of you have been around since Duquesne lost to UNC in NCAA 1969 or last made the NCAA tourney in 1977 (or if any of you are still paying attention to this now long thread).  I am one who saw the loss to UNC and all that happened since. 

Keith Dambrot is the best coach we have had here since Red Manning (maybe except for Mike Rice though he certainly wasn't perfect).  He is in the best position to get Duquesne back.  He has the support of a solid AD in Harper and a top President in Gormley.  The difference now is the transfer portal and the transfer mess created in part by the pandemic. 

Might there be a time when I would agree that the problem is Keith Dambrot?  Sure - no one is perfect.  But that would take many more years after what should be a contract extension assuming he accepts.  Why?  Because I have lived long enough to see the freaking mess that Duquesne basketball has been over the years with coach after coach and AD after AD and President after President all failing in ways large and small.  And the situation now is even more complicated.  This is the best Duquesne has looked both academically and athletically in many many years. 

If Baker was creating problems (like some that we saw with the T's) then he should go.  If it was KD's choice then I applaud him for taking control, for being in charge, for not accepting someone challenging his system.

Again, Keith Dambrot's contract should be extended.  And you can end this thread now.

I agree Mulder 100%.  Look at what KD has accomplished under very adverse circumstances.  He inherited a team that only won three games. In his first year he has a break even season, followed by a 19 win season, and then a 21 win season.  Some may disagree, but I still believe that last year has to be counted as a mulligan year for KD.  KD had no home court, no summer work outs, horrible practice facilities, shut down by covid three times, and the loss of three players during the season and still managed to not have a losing season.

I am excited about what KD has done so far this recruiting season.  I had heard from some fans that were on a Zoom call with Dave Harper and KD a few weeks ago, that KD is very high on Williams and Gunn and thinks they may prove to be better players than Weathers and Hughes.  I know there are some on the Board that were on that call that may confirm that statement.

KD and staff are working hard to bring in high level players, DU is not done recruiting. I think that some may need to brace themselves as there most assuredly will be more departures.  
 

Well said and I was on that call too.  I can confirm. 

One other thing, we are looking at Duquesne because we are fans.  Look at college basketball as a whole right now.  It's a mess.  Coupled with the limits KD had to face over the past few years it has been a remarkable job that a lesser coach would have blown (see school located a few miles up Forbes and Fifth).  We still don't know how successful current moves will be but I am encouraged.

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

.  I just flushed the 20-21 season; I'm with Econ69 - I'm looking forward to the 21-22 season!

Basically "Groundhog Day" as we are back at square 1 with a lot of young players, unproven players and question marks, and a bunch of transfers.

Let's look on the bright side. The way the transfer portal is going now, our turnover looks average.
Go Dukes.

First...I want to say how it is great that folks have raised the bar!  (no, not the one from Frank & Wallys or Sandronis).  I don't hear anyone here saying that a winning record is good enough anymore.  Not trying to speak for anyone, I think the consensus is one of the following...Win the A-10, (automatic bid to the NCAA), or qualify for the NCAA with a good enough record or qualify for the NIT.

Second, and I am seeing more glimpses of this but at times not...we need to let people have their different opinions, let them be disappointed, let them not be happy with the team or coach...and not attack them.  Yes, we can disagree and even give strong reasons, but again, this is a sports board...life is too short.  Not trying to preach to anyone...I got my own problems...but I read a lot of different boards and this one is getting even better!  Go Dukes!

Here's a link to another school's experience with the portal.  Interesting final comment - It's like shopping!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbdBRNWKoTs

Yinzer412 - You have some valid opinions.  When I first read your post I thought about Huggins at WVU who can be a maniac.  He did have a really good player leave this year, but not usually.  He does not care if his players "feel the love". but you are right...it is a long standing top 25 program and so the players deal with it.
Your post is another piece to think about.  Keep posting and welcome.

Wildwood13 wrote:

Yinzer I have been saying this for the past two years. I agree with you and I noticed you posted this under another handle but it was taken down. I also have been criticized but don’t take it personally and keep on posting.

I did try and post this under a different handle earlier and it was subsequently removed and the handle I had was banned.  I just want to try and talk Dukes, but when somone is critical of KD, they typically get insulted and/or banned.

Last edited by Yinzer412 (4/23/2021 3:40 pm)

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