DuqLaw95 wrote:

What a joke. This team has no shot in A10 play at this point. I’m expecting around 20 losses from these guys. 

The Dukes dropped 11 spots on ESPN BPI to 133 for that loss.  It's insane to travel 2 plus hours on a bus to a HS gym to play a home game, especially since the opponent likely traveled a day ahead of the game because of their distance to get to Akron, so they very likely got to workout at that gym the day before the game and were also well rested vs the Dukes getting on a bus the day of the game to get there. In other-words,  NE looked like the home team and the Dukes looked tired  and unprepared.

Last edited by NapaDuke (11/23/2025 12:22 pm)

BluffHunter wrote:

SAHsideCraps wrote:

And what's up with Max and Jake? Max was one of the premier transfers last year and Jake was a true-freshman walk-on starting for our best team in 60+ years - both dressed and aren't playing. Can we get an answer on why?  

I know for Jake they want to be careful bringing him back slowly. As for Maximus, I have no idea what’s up but I’d like to know

I don’t understand what happened to sports reporting.  If a reporter is covering the game (was there one at the game?  I know Zac previously mentioned he does not travel with the team) how are these questions not asked at a post game presser?!?  I don’t know why Jake doesn’t get 5 minutes of run in this game.  I agree they are being careful but if he’s warming up for 2-3 consecutive games then give him a few minutes. 

The game was bad.  I’m not going to overreact though.  I think a team learns more from losses than wins in games like these. Clearly, the Dukes are not a shut down defensive team.  I prefer the fast pace offense and can live with a defense that will give up points but we are seeing something problematic.  They can’t play defense without fouling. And when they don’t foul they get shredded. But they have time to get some of that under control.  Good to know the weaknesses in November. 

If Max was being disciplined, then that could be a big issue. Elder player being a problem on a team like this especially after his summer is a bad look. Hopefully it was not that.  Another poster (Phil95?) remarked Hugley was not leading by example too.  The 2 old guys on a team carry a lot of weight. I’m hoping it does not become a problem.

The Dukes are holding opponents to a very respectable 28.4% from 3pt range. Unfortunately & incredibly, they are giving up 54% from 2pt range. That second stat is 233rd in the country vs. last year's 48.1%/64th in the country.

The disparity in this year's 3pt defense vs. 2pt defense is the 6th largest gap in the country.

The Dukes need to keep drivers in front of them, help each other on cutting actions, & better rim protection! This has to be backed-up by allowing significantly fewer opponent offensive rebounds.

This has to start with Dixon & Hugley. Try as he might, Dixon was mostly ineffective in these areas against Northeastern. Hugley just wasn't engaged on that end of the court.

Necas still needs to improve on using 2 hands to squeeze rebounds when they hit his hands. He has been noticeably better at this over the last few games, but still has a ways to go.

Last edited by phil95 (11/23/2025 8:16 pm)

Ironduke81 wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

BluffHunter wrote:

I know for Jake they want to be careful bringing him back slowly. As for Maximus, I have no idea what’s up but I’d like to know

I don’t understand what happened to sports reporting.  If a reporter is covering the game (was there one at the game?  I know Zac previously mentioned he does not travel with the team) how are these questions not asked at a post game presser?!?  I don’t know why Jake doesn’t get 5 minutes of run in this game.  I agree they are being careful but if he’s warming up for 2-3 consecutive games then give him a few minutes. 

The game was bad.  I’m not going to overreact though.  I think a team learns more from losses than wins in games like these. Clearly, the Dukes are not a shut down defensive team.  I prefer the fast pace offense and can live with a defense that will give up points but we are seeing something problematic.  They can’t play defense without fouling. And when they don’t foul they get shredded. But they have time to get some of that under control.  Good to know the weaknesses in November. 

If Max was being disciplined, then that could be a big issue. Elder player being a problem on a team like this especially after his summer is a bad look. Hopefully it was not that.  Another poster (Phil95?) remarked Hugley was not leading by example too.  The 2 old guys on a team carry a lot of weight. I’m hoping it does not become a problem.

Hello DaveMackall Trib Review. Do you read the Trib?

I do. And to my point, there is no mention of why Max played 0 minutes.  I just think any thorough coverage of a game would include that bit of info. It’s not like he is fringe player. Hes played 20+ minutes in almost every game this season and was touted as key part of the team.  If im covering the game, i ask the coach why he didn’t play.

Last edited by Styles1229 (11/24/2025 12:11 am)

levon1975 wrote:

Obviously beating teams down the court and firing up the first open shot isn’t working.  Poor defensive positioning is a problem that also leads to poor defensive rebounding. If the opponent is getting offensive rebounds then you can’t run!
First step is to find a defense that these guys can actually play and occasionally stop the opponent from scoring! Second  put your players in the prime defensive rebounding positions. If you are constantly out of position on defense, your defensive rebounding positioning will be poor.
On offense, they must reduce careless turnovers.  They give the opponent runouts that lead to transition defense, poor positioning and fouls.
Teams in A-10 play will scout these weaknesses and destroy the Dukes.  The team must get better in these areas or the season will be a repeat of 2024.

Ominous as it is - good, sound, analysis.

I’ll reiterate though - it’s 11/24.  I look at the non con schedule as preseason.  It’s obviously better to be good now than not, but a game like Saturday can really shed light on what you need to work on prior to the conf schedule.  Let’s hope Dru and his coaches are able to see what Levon75 was able to and make the adjustments

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

DuqLaw95 wrote:

What a joke. This team has no shot in A10 play at this point. I’m expecting around 20 losses from these guys. 

The Dukes dropped 11 spots on ESPN BPI to 133 for that loss.  It's insane to travel 2 plus hours on a bus to a HS gym to play a home game, especially since the opponent likely traveled a day ahead of the game because of their distance to get to Akron, so they very likely got to workout at that gym the day before the game and were also well rested vs the Dukes getting on a bus the day of the game to get there. In other-words,  NE looked like the home team and the Dukes looked tired  and unprepared.

Do you actually think the Dukes travelled to Akron the day of the game??? SMH.
Northeastern would have beaten the Dukes at the Coop, at PPG, on a city playground, etc. The Dukes have a very serious problem going on with their abject lack of defense and to a lesser extent, rebounding.

You are right. JD did take the team there the day before the game and tour the LeBron built HS and DJ's HS and meet with LeBrons Mom. Great PR, but win the game. You are more than right about NE would have beat the Dukes that day anywhere.  We played a running team and were out played and unprepared, for every reason everyone here posted. My original impression of the Dukes bus up that day was they looked tired and unfamiliar on that court compared to NE along with a 4 pm start led me to believe that the game time and a 2 hour drive were possible, but I was wrong. It's a great thing for DU to continue that game next year. Big PR, but, invite Cleary next year. Big PR for both coachs, for sure, and no pressure to beat an opponent that can over prepare to jump you in a neutral site like NE just did.