I’m excited about this team. Last night was our first game since losing our two best players, a bunch of seniors, and our veteran coach, and it was evident. But you could see the new talent on display. I loved Coach Dru’s temperament and presence on the sideline. We just looked like a team where everyone was still posturing for their individual roles. The sooner this team can figure this out and come together, the better. I liked what I saw from a talent perspective!

CityDuke wrote:

I’m excited about this team. Last night was our first game since losing our two best players, a bunch of seniors, and our veteran coach, and it was evident. But you could see the new talent on display. I loved Coach Dru’s temperament and presence on the sideline. We just looked like a team where everyone was still posturing for their individual roles. The sooner this team can figure this out and come together, the better. I liked what I saw from a talent perspective!

I like your take. I saw it that way too. The Dukes played a highly skilled team and played them even in the second half, actually out scored them by two points. Matched them in rebounds too. But ,poor shooting in the first half put them in a hole. 

It is only one game, and hopefully Corbett and Edwards live up to expectations.   But the defense has to get a lot better PDQ.   last year we won games down the stretch on defense, which lead to offense.   I know plenty has changed since then, but you must play solid defense.

Press conference videos:
Kareem Rozier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj3pv56KMdw
Dru Joyce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baWbO48Km-Q

Articles:
https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2024/11/05/inside-the-dukes-not-good-enough-but-encouraging-signs/
https://triblive.com/sports/duquesne-cant-complete-comeback-in-opener-vs-lipscomb/


 

El Presidente wrote:

Was a great atmosphere at the Coop Monday nite. Looking forward to many more games there this season. As badly as we played at times, we almost pulled it out against one of the better teams that we will play this season IMO. Totally impressed with Bisons. Looking forward to being at full strength soon. Hoping that Chabi can get healthy and contribute this season and of course Williams as well. Need all hands on deck! GO DUKES!

The Dukes first half shooting was so off, but recovered in the second half.  It makes me wonder if they practice shooting on that court at all, or only in the practice gym?  Take Rozier shooting 2-9. He is usually way better, and Necas 0-3. Even Edwards was 1-5 at the 3 pt range, and the Dukes in the first half went 4-13 at the FT line, yet went  6-6 in the second half. They missed enough shots right there to have won the game if they just hit half of those missed shots.  There's a lot of talent on this team and they played very well against a strong opponent , enough to win if they made their shots. Let's get a win against Princeton and get on track. Go Dukes.

FAM wrote:

Again, only game one against a very good team.  With that said, 2 things surprised me:

1.  How little of an impact Dixon had.
2.  Necas just played on an olympic team this summer and did well.  He did not make an impact either and did not play well.  It looked like he lost a lot of weight....which hopefully was a plan.  But he is not as much of a physical force as he was.

I agree. Lipscomb knew Necas was a 3 pt threat and covered him from the start. Dixon missed a 3 pt try from the arch that would have made his opponent go out to the arch to cover him, then that would have let him drive to the hoopeach time after that. BUT,  It didn't happen that way. With 2 fouls each, they both had to sit down. I didn't like the officials. Calls were not consistent and favored our opponent. I have yet to see a home court advantage from officials at the Coop. What does it take? 

FAM wrote:

Again, only game one against a very good team.  With that said, 2 things surprised me:

1.  How little of an impact Dixon had.
2.  Necas just played on an olympic team this summer and did well.  He did not make an impact either and did not play well.  It looked like he lost a lot of weight....which hopefully was a plan.  But he is not as much of a physical force as he was.

Point of clarity: Necas did not play on an Olympic team this summer. He played on a U20 team for Czechia in an international tournament that was being played around the time of the Olympics. So none of the international Olympic level players were participating in that tournament as they were preparing for the Olympics.  I’m sure, since it was U20, none of those players would make their Olympic team anyway.  Czechia has a national team and Jakob is not on it. 
I’m confident he will find his way this season and be a major contributor for this team but he is still young and raw and will have to find a role for now. I did not have the giant expectations for him that I have seen prognosticated by some on this board. I think he will be very good though. 

Maybe, if he sticks around, he can be as good as that European player Lipscomb had!  That dude was great.

FAM wrote:

Thanks for the clarification Styles...I wonder why they had him (if they did) lose so much weight.  One thing we are lacking are big bodies.

Bigs are becoming a luxury in the mid majors. So few of them to go around and the good ones get taken by the blue bloods.  They rarely can stay healthy for a full season to boot.  My hope, and we saw some evidence of It on Monday, is that we run a pro style offense putting the emphasis on running, shooting, and athleticism.  I think we’ll see Wilborn  blossom as a “big”.  He played well while in there and seems like he can move around. He and Dixon together will be nice. 

Monday was a prime example of why teams typically schedule cupcakes in their first game(s).  The Dukes were not ready for that team - they were still finding their game and seeing which rotations work.  I would rather have had Cleary now instead of late December.