NapaDuke wrote:

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

7:00pm EST tip on Wednesday 02/08/2023 at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, Pittsburgh, PA

Virtual Game Program: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0a9967ab-bff1-4711-b676-e7f16284f587

Per KenPom (363 D-1 Teams):
Dukes #113 (15-8; 5-5 A-10) vs George Mason Patriots #140 (13-11; 5-6 A-10)
Game prediction: Dukes win by 5, 73-68 - Dukes with a 68% probability of a win.
https://kenpom.com/gameprep.php?g=4376

Per Haslametrics:
Dukes #93 vs George Mason #155
Game prediction:  Dukes win by 8, 73.68-65.74
https://haslametrics.com/preview.php?yr=&tid1=4511&tid2=4391&neut=0

Betting line: Dukes are 4½ point favorites; Over/Under 140½
Duquesne 13-10 Against the Spread: George Mason 12-12 ATS

Duquesne Game Notes: https://goduquesne.com/news/2023/2/7/mens-basketball-preview-duquesne-vs-george-mason.aspx
George Mason Game Notes: https://gomason.com/news/2023/2/7/mens-basketball-mason-and-duquesne-duke-it-out-wednesday-in-pittsburgh.aspx

Sports Reference College Basketball Team Pages:
Duquesne: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/duquesne/2023.html
George Mason: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/george-mason/2023.html

Dukes KenPom Best Wins: VCU (75); UCSB (101); Indiana St. (105); Colgate (122); DePaul (137)
Dukes KenPom Worst Losses: New Mexico St (186); UMass (178); St. Bonaventure (152); Fordham (147); Richmond (138); Marshall (76); Dayton (72) 
George Mason KenPom Best Wins: Tulane (80); Hofstra (99); Toledo (104); Davidson (132)
George Mason KenPom Worst Losses: Loyola Chicago (235); GW (217); Saint Joseph's (201); Old Dominion (181); Boston College (179)

Shooting Percentage Offense/Defense (per KenPom)
Dukes 3 Point:  Offense 37.2%, 31 in D-1; Defense 35.2%, 252 in D-1
George Mason 3 Point:  Offense 36.4%, 55 in D-1; Defense 30.6%, 39 in D-1
Dukes 2 Point:  Offense 48.0%, 269 in D-1; Defense 47.1%, 70 in D-1
George Mason 2 Point:  Offense 52.1%, 97 in D-1; Defense 49.4%, 147 in D-1
Dukes FT:  Offense 69.4%, 254 in D-1; Defense 69.4%, 90 in D-1
George Mason FT:  Offense 64.8%, 340 in D-1; Defense 68.0%, 43 in D-1

Points per Possession and Number of Possessions (per KenPom)
George Mason Adj Offense Efficiency - 104.8; 184 in D-1 vs Dukes Adj Defense Efficiency - 104.7; 166 in D-1
George Mason Adj Defense Efficiency - 102.6; 117 in D-1 vs Dukes Adj Offense Efficiency - 110.0; 85 in D-1
George Mason Adj Tempo - 66.3; 225 in D-1 vs Dukes Adj Tempo - 67.5; 160 in D-1

Miscellaneous (per KenPom)
D-1 Experience - George Mason 2.54 yrs; 61 in D-1; Dukes 2.10 yrs; 144 in D-1
Average Height - George Mason 77.3"; 144 in D-1; Dukes 76.1"; 330 in D-1

Nice stats once again. I will be there, I bought the rest of the season, then DU gave me a credit for 2 seats from last year, so I am taking my nephew along with my wife. Good news, the ticket office, just now told me a lot of these tickets are being sold recently, so a bigger turnouts should be in for the Dukes  the rest of this season.

Also, this is a very winnable game for the Dukes. I'd like to see KD work in after a big lead, most bench players that should be important down the stretch.

Dru Joyce flew to LA tonight to hopefully watch Lebron beat the all-time scoring record. He'll be back by gamete tomorrow.

Update: Lebron got the record, happy Dru got to be out there for it!

https://twitter.com/JDiPaola_Trib/status/1623098114834931715

Last edited by BluffHunter (2/08/2023 12:32 am)

Let's get KD's 500th win tonight.  Go Dukes

Duquesne's Keith Dambrot Can Hit 500 Win Milestone With Win Over George Mason - Pittsburgh Sports Now

https://triblive.com/sports/duquesne-players-look-to-serve-coach-keith-dambrot-some-more-gravy-with-his-500th-win/

Nice article in the Trib on KD’s career to date.

Nice little preview from a GMU podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BE-4FH559U

FAM wrote:

My biggest concern tonight:  3 pt. Defense 35.2%, 252 in D-1
This is what drives me nuts each game…when our players stand 3 feet away from the opposition as they take 3 point shots.  Again, it’s up to the defense.

FAM, it appears that Mason's best 3 point shooter, Victor Bailey (47.4% from 3) is out with an injury tonight; he left the last game injured.  Mason has also been without Davonte Gaines who was injured in their first conference game.  Both of these guys transferred to Mason from Tennessee; high level players that the Dukes might not have to deal with.

Here’s Zac Weiss’ KD interview excerpts

https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2023/02/08/duquesne-hc-keith-dambrot-reflects-on-stretch-run-milestones-lebron-james-and-whats-to-come/

BluffHunter wrote:

Adam Sandler stopping by to see the basketball team:
https://twitter.com/andybarba5/status/1623432476759584768

Awesome but why, hysterical

After watching many tragically comedic performances by the referees this A10 season, I guess they called in a professional to call tonight’s game. 🤷‍♂️

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

BluffHunter wrote:

Adam Sandler stopping by to see the basketball team:
https://twitter.com/andybarba5/status/1623432476759584768

Awesome but why, hysterical

After watching many tragically comedic performances by the referees this A10 season, I guess they called in a professional to call tonight’s game. 🤷‍♂️

Haha, Amen brother! Let’s get this one Dukes! Excited to see how we decide to defend Oduro. Do we double or do we play him straight up? No easy answer as he is a good low block scorer but also a very good passing big man. If we can keep him in check, Dambrot gets #500.

I would gladly trade in any one of these three refs for Sandler right about now. A double foul, but count the bucket, but not a free throw? These guys are making it up as they go! Haha. Clear blocking foul and should have been And 1 for Grant to end the half, and they swallow their whistles. The selective travel calls are mind boggling as well.

I digress…decent half from our Dukes. Definitely left some to be desired but glad to see Grant and Brewer playing like this.  I’m expecting a much better half from Clark as I think the foul trouble may have been in his head a bit. C’mon Dukes!

We Came We Saw We conquered!!!!

That was one of the best defensive games I have seen by this team this year. Everybody contributed in a big way, so I don't want to single out any player.  What a team victory!  When the Dukes play with this type of intensity, they can beat any team in this league.  Congratulations to KD on number 500.