After that rousing victory over a sad Saint Francis team, the Dukes will be tested by a team named after Lowell Wichert and in their first year as a Division I program. A victory here, by one or two points, could provide the spark the Dukes need to squeek out wins against the next two tomato cans on the schedule before taking a pounding in the conference. Stay tuned.

FAM wrote:

" I would not take this lightly, especially since they hung tough in a game against Michigan." ElDuque

El Duque,
We are not in a position to take ANY team lightly.  We are the team on everyone's schedule that they will take lightly and count as a win.  Though I should be happier than I am about last nights game, I am not.  We are terrible.  Now add this:   Soko will be gone next year and we have no one signed for next year.  We could actually be worse next year than we are now.  That will be year three.  If next year is like this year, the President needs to get rid of Ferry and the A.D.  Sorry to everyone for being so negative but I hit my breaking point after all of these years.  I see us getting worse, not better.  I hope I am wrong...but I doubt it!!!

 

FAM, the RMU loss really stung the fan base, but there is a long way to go until next year.  I still believe there is more talent on this team than has been displayed.  We have yet to see the Dukes put together 40 minutes of solid play.  There are definitely some fundamental weaknesses but some of these areas seem to be improving like FT shooting, and the play at the point by Ridenour (some really nice passes last night and drives to the hoop).  It is up to our next level coach to provide answers and not excuses.  For me I am going to enjoy the come back victory today, and hope the Dukes can keep it going and beat Lowell on Saturday.  Go Dukes!

Also, it was pretty interesting watching Ferry last night.  I was literally right behind the bench (I sat three feet away from Amodio) and could hear all of the coaching.  Here are some takeaways:

1.  Ferry is extremely animated when coaching.  He yells at the refs, screams numerous instructions, and gets on his players for both positive and negative things.  I was really happy with the way he coached Colter too.  During one play Colter ran the length of the floor and did his typical out of control nonsense.  Ferry pulled him instantly and flipped out on Derrick.  When Colter checked back in later Ferry said, "Hey, how about you start playing and actually use your head."  His pacing and attitude remind me of myself when I coach my tennis team at Penn State Altoona.  

2.  The assistant coaches are also very active.  Danny Lawson seems to be one of the X and O guys.  He was always pointing things out to Ferry and providing valuable input. Glesmann and Nash seem to be a little less active and more of like a right hand man to Ferry. They did talk to a lot of players about things. Rhodes doesn't provide much advice for Ferry, but he definitely provides insight for the players and motivation.  I even saw Soko hug him at one point so it's clear the players look up to him.   Also, all of them are CONSTANTLY yelling instruction.  

3.  Greg didn't smile for the entirety of the game.  He looked extremely stressed (then again, so did I).  He was very nice to some of the people around him.  When the game was finally over, he looked at his wife with an expression that said "Wow, that was far harder than it should have been, but a win is a win."  I think we all (sans Ritters and FAM) felt the same way.  

UML plays in the Tsonga Center, the same arena used for the A-10 Women's Basketball Championship about 3 years ago.  Concession prices are high!  I think they sell beer there.

FAM wrote:

Duq81:

1.  I already jumped - I am holding onto a rope so I don't hit bottom
2.  AS far as Robinson, I have no idea how good he is or isn't.  I personally think Watkins should get a lot more playing time and could be a starter, but Ferry doesn't seem to be playing him much.  I would be okay with that if we weren't so bad without him playing.  I mean how can he do worse at times?

 

Hold tight to that rope FAM, we're at the other end, and we're pulling you back. It's tough, but give it until the spring of 2015 before you jump for good. That is a fair amount of time, to see if things are finally moving forward. Sometimes improvement is smooth and consistent, but in other cases, there will seem to be little or no improvement, and then BAM, the light goes on, and the change is dramatic. The best example of that, that I can remember, is the Atlanta Braves of 1991. The Braves had stunk for several years at that point, and as we approached Memorial Day, the stench from Atlanta assaulted our noses, as it had for years. Suddenly, the team began to string together some wins. No big deal, even the worst teams will have a hot streak or two during the long baseball season. But then, the good play continued all the way to the All Star break, and beyond. First place?! The Braves?! What?! Must be a fluke. But it was no fluke, this was 22 years ago, and since that summer, the Braves have been consistently among the best teams in baseball. There was no gradual improvement, like the Pirates of the last few years. The team had been adding talent, but it came together suddenly, like a thunderstorm on a hot summer day. It is absolutely possible for this to happen for us. No guarantee, but sometimes a team is closer than it appears, and then it all comes together. Keep the faith.

Simms wrote:

It is pretty scary to think that Soko will be gone.  If Robinson is cleared, I would just play him now anyways.  Let him learn as he goes and hope that he learned a lot from watching practice.  I also hope that Watkins starts to actually show me something.  Ferry is being far too strict with him.  One thing I noticed at the game last night is that Watkins can actually shoot pretty well.  During warm ups he hit almost all of his jumpers.  

 
You are observant Simms, Watkins can shoot, but as with everything on this board, people are very impatient and want results immediately.  Watkins hasn't played a meaningful game in a year and a half, and that was at the prep school level. He is just now experiencing what other freshmen learned in October and November.    He will need to be eased into the action until he shows that he is ready for more playing time. You don't want him to get discouraged, or frustrated with the lack of results due to his being rusty.  I understand he is making steady improvement in practice, but the hands need to come back, and he needs to catch up to the speed of the game at this level.  Be patient and you will be rewarded with many points and rebounds.

levon1975 wrote:

rittersdiner wrote:

After that rousing victory over a sad Saint Francis team, the Dukes will be tested by a team named after Lowell Wichert and in their first year as a Division I program. A victory here, by one or two points, could provide the spark the Dukes need to squeek out wins against the next two tomato cans on the schedule before taking a pounding in the conference. Stay tuned.

 
I suppose you think you are a witty guy.

It was sarcasm.

I thought we were supposed to hear about Robinson's eligibility yesterday? 
Possibiliites:
A.  NCAA screwed up again
B.  He isn't eligible so DU didn't want to put the news out yet
C.  He is eligible but Ferry doesn't want to announce it because he can't figure out which ball player should be sitting since their record and success so far is so evident

http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121913aae.html

So much for the NCAA replying by the 18th.  In this game article that came out today it states that Robinson has not yet been cleared.  They need to give this kid an answer. The NCAA handling of this case is beyond unbelievable.

Last edited by CLK (12/19/2013 2:01 pm)