Somewhere along the line this team has an upset in them. Every dog has his day and all that. Could this be our day? The numbers say no but I'm thinking that Davidson might come into the Coop just a bit complacent. Someone needs to step up for the Dukes and drop 25 points. Who knows? Could be.

I hope it is a trap game for Davidson.
They should win and cover but they could be
tired, indifferent , looking forward to the next game.
If Spears and Johnson could each drop 20,,,
Too much to hope for

Well we were surprisingly competitive the first time around against them, but no, don't think it's a trap game. They're too well-coached and have too many shooters. Speaking of shooters, Sincere Carry scored 42 last night, 10 3-pointers. Dukes as a team have made that many 3-pointers in just two games this year (12 against Rider, 11 against Colorado). 

I will be there, not expecting a win but to watch what if anything this coach can show me why he should be back next year. KD's strategy for the most part doesn't change from game to game. Not flexible to the players he has, most apparently, not here to develop talent.  But, hey KD, prove me wrong.

luckymcd wrote:

I think the line is about right. Now if I was a betting man (which I’m generally not and especially when it comes to my teams) I’d probably take Davidson to not only win, but cover. Still I think the line makes sense.

We were competitive the first time around in what was basically a road game. We lost by 11, had it down to 6 late, and outscored them 55-45 over a 27 minute span. As someone else pointed out Dambrot’s teams usually come out pretty similarly from game to game. So a similar result can be expected.

Davidson is a good team, but not one that blows teams out very often. They beat Penn, but only by 12. They beat East Carolina, but only by 9. They beat Northeastern, but only by 10 (6 less than us by the way). They beat UMass by 10 just three days after we beat them by 4. They beat Fordham by 3, LaSalle by 4, GW by 5, and St. Joe’s by 6.

Also as someone else said we are due for an upset. Even our bad teams (which this sadly but surely is) usually find some unexpected wins. In Ferry’s first year we beat Temple. In Nee’s first year we also beat Temple. In Porter’s last year we beat St. Bonaventure and in his second year we beat Xavier. It’s hard to consistently run over conference opponents even if you are the much better team.

Davidson plays the bench sooner on bad teams. Not a good indicator on covering points.
 

Last edited by NapaDuke (2/23/2022 4:16 pm)

Ironduke81 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

luckymcd wrote:

I think the line is about right. Now if I was a betting man (which I’m generally not and especially when it comes to my teams) I’d probably take Davidson to not only win, but cover. Still I think the line makes sense.

We were competitive the first time around in what was basically a road game. We lost by 11, had it down to 6 late, and outscored them 55-45 over a 27 minute span. As someone else pointed out Dambrot’s teams usually come out pretty similarly from game to game. So a similar result can be expected.

Davidson is a good team, but not one that blows teams out very often. They beat Penn, but only by 12. They beat East Carolina, but only by 9. They beat Northeastern, but only by 10 (6 less than us by the way). They beat UMass by 10 just three days after we beat them by 4. They beat Fordham by 3, LaSalle by 4, GW by 5, and St. Joe’s by 6.

Also as someone else said we are due for an upset. Even our bad teams (which this sadly but surely is) usually find some unexpected wins. In Ferry’s first year we beat Temple. In Nee’s first year we also beat Temple. In Porter’s last year we beat St. Bonaventure and in his second year we beat Xavier. It’s hard to consistently run over conference opponents even if you are the much better team.

Davidson plays the bench sooner on bad teams. Not a good indicator on covering points.
 

Napa Duke all good points. BUT we have all watched an offensive scheme equivalent to a 5th grade Catholic grade school basketball game. No movement & motion. No screen or pick & rolls. Absolutely, no defense. Spread the court a chuck threes. This team has checked out. Total disfunction. Time to make some $$$$. Bet the Dukes opponents. If Dambrot & staff returns next season I will be a very rich man. MDGA…. Make Duquesne Great Again. Never thought I would bet against the Dukes but this team is in a total tailspin.

You are right. Davidson is looking for a tune-up for the tourney, and they may really put it to us.
 

WashPaRick wrote:

Did I see Rotroff in Uniform?

Nope

It looks like Dambrot and staff will be back next year. If anyone heard the pregame interview Dambrot acknowledged that this team does not have the talent to compete and that he will be rebuilding again for next year.  He said that his and staff are in a full rebuilding mode.

townsonkid wrote:

Davidson is a machine on offense. They do everything we dont/cant. They dont have elite talent, but smart, disciplined, solid players that make up a really good team. I will cheer for them in march.

And they never miss on 3's. They work well on offense and get the open look. Hima did stop them in the paint on defense, but needs work on offense to be a complete player. He had a monster block tonight.

Any update on Williams’ knee injury?

CLK wrote:

It looks like Dambrot and staff will be back next year. If anyone heard the pregame interview Dambrot acknowledged that this team does not have the talent to compete and that he will be rebuilding again for next year. He said that his and staff are in a full rebuilding mode.

X-Ray the wood.  See which is dead and which is merely dozing.  There is plenty of deadwood on Bluff Street.

Oh goody, another rebuild.  That should go WELL.

I personally have very little faith that this staff can locate enough talent, convince it to come to Duquesne, and mold it into a team that is successful. 

It is just very disheartening.
 

Tonight also showed the degree to which the coaching staff has no idea how to maximize the benefits of playing JJ & Primo big minutes while minimizing the amount of freshmen mistakes they will make each game. 

26 games into his collegiate career Primo either has no idea how to run a motion offense at this level or no inclination to do so. Nobody should expect him to be Chris Paul at this stage in his career but, he should certainly be further along than he is given the heavy minutes he has played at that point.

JJ is getting much the same treatment as TDM got in his first 2 years as a Duke in that he is being utilized almost exclusively as a 2 guard instead of taking his lumps as a lead guard so he can develop that side of his game.  

The Bekelja crap has to stop. If KD wants to send a message to other players by starting Bekelja, I am fine with that.  It is obvious that he is the teacher's pet but he doesn't belong on the court for any extended minutes.  The lion's share of the blame for the jump in Davidson's lead from 6 points to 15 points belongs to him. He got destroyed on both ends for 3-4 minutes & then the game was out of reach. If he is on the floor for more than 2 or 3 consecutive minutes, he is not the team's best 1 on 1 defender. In fact, when he gets extended minutes, he is not even a good defender; he simply can't keep up. What point is there to playing a glorified walk-on level point guard if he can't shoot, make foul shots, & play mistake free basketball? (I did appreciate the slick & practical behind-the-back pass he made to Easley for that 3.)

For the record, I really like what I know about Mike Bekelja. He would be an awesome walk-on. This rant isn't against him. It is against to the mismanagement of the program & the LOSING!