Today's PG said it was a Pick game

heelsdukesfan wrote:

big game tonite. looks like st joes is as inconsistant as us. 
if we can use our big bodies to wear down bembry, i think we have a chance. 
(as long as our zone doesnt turn one of their inconsistant guards into an all american lottery pick overnite)

i like this matchup and look for a good game tonite.
Mckoy looks like he continues to recover from whatever ailed him and maybe tonite is the nite mason breaks out of his slump...gotta stay positive, gotta believe. 

im not gonna get involved in the RE, GA, JF discussions. 
im gonna cheer for these kids and continue to cheer on the dukes...
 

Thank you, time to get back to hoops,  I agree this is a big game tonight.  No excuse come out flat to start the game, as the Hawks also know the importance of this game and Martelli will have them motivated,  We can't afford to lose at home tonight.

Pomeroy has this as a 2 point game, with the Dukes going down by a score of 70-68; gives the Dukes a 41% chance to win.

I've heard Ferry mention from time to time that he prefers to play a man-to-man defense but that he doesn't feel as if he has the horses to matchup right now to play that style.  However, playing just a 2-3 zone all game is allowing the other team to find comfort in their offense. Its not against the rules to mix and match different kinds of zone defenses to confuse or disrupt the other team's offense.  This can easily be done during media or team timeouts. Heck, even after halftime, we could occasionally alter our defensive looks for one possession.  

That in and of itself is particularly alarming to me right now.  Just sitting in one defense the entire game will not get it done no matter how effective your defense is. And ours stinks right now. 

To me, a zone is much harder to play than man-to-man.  Some will disagree and that's their right. But, to play a man-to-man, we need everyone on the same page. You have to know which guys you can help off of and which you can't. I don't trust our team to do that right now.  But the question is why?  I wonder if we had just stuck to the original plan from day one where we would be right now from a defensive standpoint.  

Ferry is no doubt an offensive minded coach. But his handling of the defense has been unacceptable. Even if we stay in the 2-3, can't we do some simple wrinkles like jumping or trapping entry passes to the corner to get the offense scrambling?  How about play the zone buster inside straight up until he beats us inside of everyone collapsing which allows for wide-open threes. Our closeout principles on shooters is beyond poor. That would in and of itself negate at least 10 PPG if someone on this team knew how to closeout a shooter. 

From a philosophical point of view, I'd slow these games down and create less possessions. That shortens and tightens the game.  I just dont know what our recipe for success is right now and I firmly believe Ferry doesn't either. He just isn't sure how he wants to play given the deck of cards he has. 

But as long as I see something other than a 2-3 zone for 40 minutes tonight I'll be happy. 

Last edited by WEB (1/07/2015 2:58 pm)

I have been totally befuddled by his coaching this entire year. It seems like losing Ovie just sent Ferry into a complete tailspin. It's getting kind of late in the season to still be trying to figure out how to fit the pieces together. Last year, everything went through Ovie, piece of cake. Now he has to coach. I agree with WEB. You can play a zone but good Lord, change the look of it. I'll be there tonight praying for a miracle.

Let's get a W tonight!

WashPaRick wrote:

Haven't missed a home game in years but can't get motivated to go tonight. We're playing lousy. it's freezing out and Pen's fans will be taking all the parking. Of course those things haven't stoppped me in the past. Must be coming down with something.

Got to wonder how many students will show up.
 

The Dukes zone is still giving up wide open three points shots.  The good news is St. Joe's were missing the 3s in the first half.  Down 2 at the half comong back from 12.  Hopefully the Dukes can pull away in the 2nd half,

And Ferry goes Man to man at the end.  Great Ghosts Alive Ray! 

Ugly last 3 minutes, but I'll take it. Gill and Jones tried their best to blow it.

One thing I liked is that when Stevens made the horrible turnover, he went straight to the bench.

CLK wrote:

Colter was the best player on the court.  His clutch 3 with the clock running oout was the difference. 

He's really stepped up his game this year.