One note BluffHunter, the BartTorvik scores should be switched. That really didn't look right to me, and sure enough it isn't. He has the Dukes winning 83-76, not losing by that score.

This game should be very telling of where we are at this point in the season. If the improvement in the last few games is real, the only thing in doubt should be how much we win by. I haven't seen Loyola yet this year, but just looking at the numbers they have been wildly inconsistent. They lost at home to Chicago State (their only D-1 win), but then beat Santa Clara (who gave St. Louis their only loss) in a virtual road game less than a week later. They lost to Dayton by just 2 the first game, but 27 the second. The line seems strangely low for this one. I'll say the Dukes take it 82-77, but even that seems closer than it should be given they've lost five in a row and only one was by less than 14.

Line has been bet up to 5½. Agreed with luckymcd that it strangely opened very low. Dukes need to come out strong defensively to take those winning thoughts right out of Loyola’s collective head.

I am less concerned about Hugley's offensive contribution than his low-effort defense. I am confident that John will have some big scoring games while also providing valuable, if more pedestrian, scoring punch in most games.

However, his lackluster rim protection & truly horrible ability to execute his defensive role in pick-and-roll situations make it difficult to keep him on the court. Some of these shortcomings are tied to his not being an ideal fit for the current defensive scheme, but mostly, he is lazy & doesn't care nearly enough about this part of the game.

The combination of his having played for 4 schools over 6 seasons & his lengthy, coach-imposed suspension tell me all I need to know about his character as a basketball player & teammate. I AM NOT COMMENTING ON HIS CHARACTER OR VALUE AS A PERSON!

I’m with you Phil95.  Time to show growth and fit the pieces of the puzzle together.  We have the talent. Just need to execute. Let’s go Dukes!  Would be great to see a complete game today and solid get a solid W.

Last edited by CTS (1/24/2026 11:57 am)

BluffHunter wrote:

Fixed! Saint Louis beat Santa Clara by 1, their sole loss was to Stanford.

That's what I get for relying on my memory after an overnight shift. Thanks for the correction.

phil95 wrote:

I need this team to win the next 3 games. Loyola stinks. The Bonnies are in a conference slate free-fall & the Dukes will be favored to beat URI at The Coop. If this season is to be a success, the time is now. Go Dukes, Go!

We've played better recently, but still lost two of those three. Building towards the conference tournament at home needs to start today. After the three you mentioned we get the two DC area teams (neither of which I'm sold on), then the return trip with the Bonnies, and then LaSalle before another tough stretch. Could this be the beginning of a turnaround similar to the 2024 team? Let's hope so, and let's go Dukes!

Loyola missing 5 players today - Moore, Harris, Love, Dotson and Houinsou. All 5 of these players have started at least one game for Loyola.

Ironduke81 wrote:

Hopefully the Dukes wear them done 2nd half. Ramblers not a good team with injury plagued team. Go Dukes

Not a great first half... 100% agree with this. Go Dukes.

I know that broadcasting without being there isn’t exciting but this Noah as color guy sounds lone he’s broadcasting from a funeral home.  The guy they had for the St. Louis game was a huge bit better.

DuqLaw95 wrote:

Nice win against an incredibly bad Loyola team. Nothing to write home about given the quality of the opponent, but these are the games you need to win, and win in convincing fashion. 

Big difference was TG catching his groove and burying some 3's. 

Winning a conference game on the road by 12 while TG breaks out of his slump is a great outcome.

Cam gets bumped out of the starting lineup & Dru passes over 2 fifth year players in Max & Alex along with a guy that started every important game on the 23-24 team in favor of Hall, who has shown next to nothing the entire season. I just don't get it.
When your team is fighting to keep its head above water, starting a player because the game is in his hometown is a terrible idea. I have absolutely nothing against Hall, but he hasn't earned a place in the rotation let alone the starting lineup.

Duquesne's defense is rated dead last in the A-10 & should be.

Noah needs a strong dose of Geritol , Ray pretty much is alone doing the broadcast as he acts like the 30 year old guy doing a great job and poor Noah acts like the 90 year old smoking a doobie. Pathetic Noah                    The other guy who has done color seems much better than the pothead Noah. Bring energy.

Did what was needed. I liked the Hall move. He plays solid defense. Glad to see Dru make an abrupt change in the lineup. He also got jipped on that charge call and continuation on the and 1.
Hugley is working his way into unplayable territory.