tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75145200274321821722024-03-13T15:07:02.385-04:00Duquesne Sports BlogYukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-66883706356828262692015-04-23T13:44:00.001-04:002015-04-23T13:44:18.267-04:00Duquesne Post Combinations Just recently brought to my attention, <a href="http://www.duqsm.com/ferry-discusses-season-state-of-basketball-program/">there was an excellent interview of Jim Ferry</a> by a pair of student writers from The Duke, Pat Higgins and Saúl Berríos - Thomas. In it, Higgins and Berríos - Thomas ask Ferry a number of questions ranging from the how important he thinks this off season is to his NCAA Championship viewing ritual. However, one question and answer about the teams' short term prospects in the front court answer stood out for me. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>SBT: That’s key too – the personnel. What do envision the
starting lineup being? For this team to be competitive in the Atlantic
10, Darius Lewis needs to be the shutdown center that he can be, but at
the power forward you have different options with TySean Powell, L.G.
Gill, and Jordan Robinson</strong>.<br />
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JF: That’s the whole process. Each one of those guys have to get
better. Those guys that you mentioned all have the ability to be in the
starting frontcourt, but it all has to play out. I’m not going to
pre-determine that by any means. But we have more length, we have
athleticism with Ty, shooting with L.G. If Darius can get consistent,
you called him a low post stopper. He was that one every four games.
He’s has to get more consistent. Jordan Robinson is going to play a huge
factor. They were young in the frontcourt. Now those guys aren’t young
anymore – they have experience.</blockquote>
The question grabbed me because Beríos - Thomas seems higher than average on Lewis right now while including Robinson as a power forward option. The answer grabbed me because Ferry didn't anoint anyone as his go to guys despite Gill and Lewis' favorable place in the minutes distribution down the stretch in March. I had been hoping for a little more clarity heading into the off season, but apparently the post is up in the air. For some fun, here are my thoughts on some of the different potential combination.<br />
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<h3>
Combo #1 PF - Gill C - Lewis</h3>
Superlatives: Best Defense, Most Experience, Safest <br />
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A lot of people might be surprised to hear me label this tandem the best defense. Lewis showed flashes of being a defensive beast and Gill started limiting his mistakes. Sadly, flashes and modest improvement are all it takes to be tops in this defense starved program. Still, we know what we're going to get with them. The ceiling might be limited, but they offer lowest chance for growing pains. <br />
<h3>
Combo #2 PF - Robinson C - Lewis</h3>
Superlatives: Best Size, Best Rebounding<br />
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While Ferry didn't outright dismiss the idea of playing Robinson at the four, I find this scenario very unlikely especially if the team makes the 2-3 zone an important part of their defense which the coach hinted at in another answer. That said, the combination of the size here is something to dream on. <br />
<h3>
Combo #3 PF - Powell C - Robinson </h3>
Superlatives: Best Offense, Best Finishing, Best Upside<br />
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At the beginning of last season, I'd wager that quite a few fans expected this to be the go to combination in the post - Dominique McKoy post. Problem is, both played like they were freshmen as freshmen and I still have questions as to whether or not either is ready for prime time. Still, the talent is there. The Dukes would have two players capable of hitting 55% or better of their field goals even if a 3 - point shot is out of the question. While these two could help the Dukes achieve more success, they likely both still have more growing pains to get through especially with Powell converting full time to PF. This could lead to some early season struggles again if Ferry decides to trudge ahead with it. <br />
<h3>
Combo #4 PF - Gill C- Robinson</h3>
Superlatives: Best Shooting<br />
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Not a lot to say about this combination other than it gives the Dukes their best shooting tandem with Gill's 3 point jumper and Robinson's mid - range game. In an offense heavily dependent on ball screens, this one might also set the best picks. <br />
<h3>
Combo #5 PF - Powell C - Lewis </h3>
Superlatives: Most Athletic, Longest<br />
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I love the length of this combination and the potential for diverted shots inside. I'm not sure I have strong feelings for it in the long run.<br />
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***<br />
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Ferry was non - committal to his preferred lineup choice. I will unabashedly support Gill and Lewis because for me, "safe" is the route I'd like to take in November. While there is always room for experimentation early, I have no issues making a gradual transition from the low up side / low floor Combo #1 to the more flashy but risky Combo #3. I'd love to see the either #4 or 5 in the middle though as either Robinson or Powell prove that they're ready to lead. Regardless of who plays the most, all four will need to play important roles either as a primary weapon or as a primary backup. As Ferry said, they're going to need more from all of them, but while they are more experienced, there could still be some question marks and discomfort until the staff and players sort it out for sure. <br />
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-10957518899022004252015-04-05T19:28:00.001-04:002015-04-05T19:34:17.958-04:00Early Look At Playing Time Distribution While we aren't even certain of how the roster will be composed next season, I thought it'd be interesting look ahead to how the minutes could be distributed in 2015-16. Let me get a couple of assumptions out of the way. First, I'm assuming that Ferry will lean heavily on the same four guys who started for the team down the stretch and sixth man LG Gill. Those five seemed to be his most trusted players and I don't expect anyone further down the depth chart to pass them, at least not initially. Second, I'm also guessing they'll head into next year playing a similar style to the one they ended last year with, with some modifications coming at the four to accommodate Gill's expanded role.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2015/04/early-look-at-playing-time-distribution.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-75139937927831745182015-03-24T13:16:00.001-04:002015-03-24T13:16:32.003-04:00The Potential Impact of LG Gill The Dukes have but one major lineup transition heading into the 2015-16 season as LG Gill will replace Dominique McKoy at the power forward position. Neither player is or was a perfect fit for the role the way Ovie Soko was the year before last and both have the look of positional tweeners. McKoy wasn't quite a four but wasn't quite a five either while Gill is somewhere between a three and four.<br />
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Having watched Ferry's offensive system in action the last few years, I think a player leaning small forward could be a slightly better fit overall. McKoy struggled to adjust from his more preferred center position for the first two-thirds of the season and found his minutes dramatically cut early. Outside of summer league warmups, he lacked three point range to force opponents to defend him 20 feet from the basket.<br />
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Gill has experience backing up the position and could make for a smoother transition. The extra 4 - 5 feet on his jump shot could result in a more open offense. He'd give the Dukes three reliable three point shooters and four players with mid range jump shots off the dribble in the starting lineup. His perimeter shooting should force opponents to spread out on defense and create space inside for cutters and post players. Darius Lewis and Jordan Robinson willl see more one on one matchups giving them more time to find decent shots. Ty'sean Powell could be deadly, but ideally, he'll be transitioning to the four in a key reserve role. <br />
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Gill also gives the Dukes more options off the screen and in sets where the four is in the high post. Pick and pops for three join the pick and roll as off the ball movement from the double high screen. When McKoy stayed high, it was more of a dummy run to put it in soccer terms. They'll have to respect Gill. Shooting also becomes an option for plays run with the four starting the action at the top of the key. If the defender is playing off him, he could elect to turn and hoist one rather than execute the play. With the defender tight in the same set, the Dukes could force more switches on the hand off. The Dukes won't need to reinvent the wheel to plug Gill in, but what they do run could be more efficient.<br />
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McKoy and Gill are a virtual push defensively. Both came a long way by the end of the season to the point where opponents were going after Jeremiah Jones' wing in the 2-3. Gill looked comfortable and showed the ability to read when to help and when to close on a potential shooter after looking lost early. The biggest difference between the two is in the defensive rebounding department. Gill is still not as strong, physical or explosive on the glass as McKoy. In the end, rebounding could derail the Dukes chances of taking steps unless a couple guys really improve.<br />
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For the first time under Ferry, the Dukes have a veteran squad where they can tweak the offense rather than try to reinvent it. There won't be any point guard experiments, position changes, or philosophy shifts. As a result, I hope to see the Dukes ready to play in November with their slightly modified offense featuring LG Gill at the four. <br />
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-45721178802857102892015-03-12T00:49:00.000-04:002015-03-12T00:52:02.443-04:00Dominique McKoy's 5 Great Games <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlfFSbAWc5M/VQESUwYIBII/AAAAAAAAALc/uFwLzRZuUMQ/s1600/McKoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlfFSbAWc5M/VQESUwYIBII/AAAAAAAAALc/uFwLzRZuUMQ/s1600/McKoy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via @PGSports</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I like to get greatest games lists out before a player's career
officially ends and the Dukes bailed me out by winning one more game. I held off as long as I could to post Dominique McKoy's five greatest games. Why? Because he kept producing great candidates for the list right until the present. He's truly playing the best basketball of his career now. However, I will risk postponing no more. This was one of my more difficult lists to compile because the workman like Domo just got the job done without a lot flash. Still, I think I built a list worthy of him. <br />
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<b>#5 January 25, 2014 vs St Bonaventure 13 points, 9 rebounds </b><br />
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Just missed the double - double as he often did, but what sets this game apart was the way he and Ovie Soko got pretty much every St Bonaventure post player in foul trouble. Those two put on a clinic for drawing contact and he also went 5 - 8 from the free throw line.<br />
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<b>#4 January 22, 2014 vs St Louis 15 points, 8 rebounds</b><br />
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This one was bittersweet but it is often the game I think about when I think about McKoy, for good and bad. This was two points away from being his best. Not that seventeen points means anything, but with under a minute to play, he stared a go ahead bunny in the face and he missed it. Still, it's difficult to overlook what he did the rest of the evening.He was excellent. <br />
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<b>#3 The Entire Month of December 2013</b><br />
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Ok this is a little outside of the box, but when you miss seven times from the floor in six games you're beyond on fire. He also posted back to back double doubles against Penn St and Robert Morris, two very worthy candidates for this list. <br />
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<b>#2 March 4, 2015 vs Fordham 16 points, 7 rebounds </b><br />
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Really asserted himself in this one. Played with toughness but also found space in great positions to finish. We didn't see a ton of this from his as a senior, but we did on this occasion. <br />
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<b>#1 February 28, 2015 @ St Bonaventure 20 points, 15 rebounds </b><br />
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This is the night Domo announced that he wasn't going quietly into the night. Dukes got beaten badly but the Bonnies didn't have an answer for him. <br />
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-36771537841799292212014-11-28T10:19:00.001-05:002014-11-28T10:19:51.118-05:00Avoiding a Repeat Against NJIT I'm not a big fan of the Dukes playing home and aways with low majors as I don't see any advantage other than saving the money it would take to buy a game in Pittsburgh. While they handled UMass-Lowell on the road last year and took care of business in a festive atmosphere against Abilene Christian in showcase games for those programs, they took thirty - eight minutes to finally control the game NJIT in Newark last season. It simply doesn't make a lot of sense to put yourself into that position. Of course, the road wasn't the only thing they dealt with last year. <br>
<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/avoiding-repeat-against-njit.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-39030266467055751562014-11-26T13:45:00.000-05:002014-11-26T13:45:39.004-05:00Does the Starting 5 Really Matter? I had a conversation about the optimal lineup for the Dukes yesterday on twitter and I was planning on writing something about whether or not who starts matters for anything when I had a little free time. That time is now, and thankfully, it coincides with a recent topic of conversation. Enjoy some rare original content. <br>
<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/does-starting-5-really-matter.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-69196326895914339052014-11-23T13:49:00.001-05:002014-11-23T13:49:54.498-05:00Can't Get Enough Of This Jordan Stevens MoveI've watched this clip of Jordan Stevens breaking down Jalen Little and I just can't get enough. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-51147178916056611572014-11-22T19:18:00.000-05:002014-11-24T09:51:34.765-05:00Duquesne Dukes 102 -- ACU Wildcats 81The Dukes got themselves off to a sluggish start as the home standing Abilene Christian Wildcats played with intensity worthy of their biggest home game ever. The short handed Dukes played with fire getting three of their only four big men into early foul trouble with LG Gill, Jordan Robinson and Ty'sean Powell picking up two. The Wildcats didn't let up in the second, but the Dukes proved to be too much. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/duquesne-dukes-102-acu-wildcats-81.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-62906413741083287212014-11-19T22:20:00.003-05:002014-11-19T22:20:48.733-05:00Women's Recap: #22/23 Syracuse Pulls it Out 90-84 over Dukes<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Workman notches double-double with 24 and 11 off the bench</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In an exciting game in the AJ Palumbo Center, the Syracuse women knocked off the Dukes 90-84. </span><b> </b></span>Briana Day from Syracuse was the difference, notching 22 points and a hard fought 19 boards. Day responded when the Cuse needed her the most. After a layup by Deva'Nyar Workman cut the Syracuse lead to 76-75 with around 4 minutes to play, it was all Briana Day. The next possession, Day got the layup to extend the Syracuse lead to 78-75. She then followed it up by grabbing two offensive boards on the before putting it in, putting the Cuse up 5. On the Dukes next possession, Day blocked a shot by Workman, and then grabbed yet another offensive board on the Orange offensive possession that eventually wound up with an and-one that was the final dagger in the coffin for the Dukes. The Dukes did rally to cut the lead to 88-84, and the battling Dukes had a couple of chances to cut it to two with eleven seconds left. However, April Robinson and Belma Nurkic both missed six footers and Syracuse hit their freebies to make it a six point victory for Syracuse over a gritty Duquesne team in the Palumbo Center.<br />
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As for the Dukes, despite the loss this was a very encouraging performance against a top 25 team. The general feeling going into the game was that the Dukes may be competitive for a half before Syracuse would pull away and make it look not that close. Yet, the Dukes hung in well. Deva'Nyar Workman was a spark offensively off the bench, scoring 24 and fighting hard for 11 boards. Her name suits her well. However, she still has some growing to do, as she committed two needless fouls late, one for an over the back and another off the ball within twelve seconds. Eventually teams will quit guarding her as much around the perimeter as Workman is not a shooter, but until then she has the potential to put up some big numbers. She's a high motor player who fights for everything and is a very good get for Burt. She also can handle the ball as the backup PG. April Robinson had a solid game and may be the second best point in the A-10 right now, and the A-10 has a couple of good ones. Jose Ann Johnson played the best I've seen her play in a Dukes uniform, as she looked inspired tonight. Amadea Szamosi played another efficient game, though her fourth foul a little over eight minutes left took some of the steam out of her play. She was perhaps a bit too tentative coming back off the bench late with four fouls also. Liv Bresnahan was her normal self. It was nice seeing Emilie Gronas hit a few threes off the bench...the Dukes will certainly need her shooting going forward. She's not the best athlete, but she's more of one than some people give her credit for. Nurkic got off to a hot start to the game to get the team going. Pretty much everyone contributed in making it a close, exciting performance against a top 25 team. It's certainly one that the Dukes can be proud of even in the loss. There's nothing wrong with playing well and going down swinging against a top 25 team. It was a much, much better performance than the one put on against Princeton and is very encouraging.<br />
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The next game is at Green Bay on Saturday. Green Bay is an excellent team, and their women have more of a stranglehold on the Horizon than Butler men even did. It will be yet another good early test for the Dukes.YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-77022308631992343372014-11-15T17:05:00.000-05:002014-11-15T17:05:17.959-05:00That's How You Play Against D-II's --- Duquesne 91 - Bluefield St 51<br>
What a difference a week and a little intensity make. This game counted and I could see Duquesne got the memo. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/thats-how-you-play-against-d-iis.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-24939577766176744452014-11-09T21:29:00.002-05:002014-11-09T21:29:32.089-05:00Why Duquesne Only Scored 72 Points Against Shippensburg? While there were plenty of flaws in the Dukes egg against Shippensburg, I feel finishing played the largest role in their misery. Of course, I'd argue that it might not mean much in the long run. It feels to me like a culmination of awful in the shooting department that I feel like the Dukes will be hard pressed to repeat. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/why-duquesne-only-scored-72-points.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-12401040399078337062014-11-07T22:31:00.001-05:002014-11-09T23:56:20.472-05:00Dukes win ugly 72-69 Against Shippenburg Execution, execution, execution. The Dukes didn't do it in nearly every facet of the game as they needed to 39:56 of the game to finally put away Division II Shippensburg.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/dukes-win-ugly-72-69-against-shippenburg.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-42835105541937298582014-11-06T01:14:00.000-05:002014-11-06T01:15:13.545-05:006 Reasons For Concern in 14-15 With the good comes the bad. Yesterday, I looked at reasons for optimism. Now, I'll look at reasons to dial that optimism back.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/6-reasons-for-concern-in-14-15.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-59660986605652320442014-11-04T09:00:00.000-05:002014-11-04T09:13:17.996-05:006 Reasons for Optimism in 2014-15I'm marching on with some 2014-15 men's basketball previews. Our fans are constantly reading the tealeaves looking for hope. It's only fitting one of my last posts here before Fansided and one of my first posts in return in six reasons to be optimistic. <br>
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Here's a bonus reason for optimism: this year's piece was a lot easier to write than last year. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/6-reasons-for-optimism-in-2014-15.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-79101501859926703812014-11-03T08:46:00.001-05:002014-11-03T08:46:43.027-05:00How Many More Wins Would Two Stops Have Gotten? You never know what's going to grab us. Sometimes, sound bites stand out to me and I like the use statistical analysis. It shouldn't surprise<a href="http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/103114aab.html"> anyone that this Jim Ferry quote from the opening statement of his Duquesne media day</a> interview caught my attention. <br>
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"I think it's the defensive side where we have to really tighten things up. And again we have a philosophy in our program right now it's two more stops. Statistically, we broke everything down that if we were able to get two more stops a game last year we'd have won significantly more games."<br>
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I heard that and immediately wanted to investigate. So how many games is significantly more?<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-many-more-wins-would-two-stops-have.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-30263296484703916432014-11-02T12:38:00.001-05:002014-11-02T12:44:46.020-05:0014-15 Season SuperlativesBefore I get started, <a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/back-to-blogger.html">please read this entry in case you were wondering why I've returned to blogger. </a><br>
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I'm getting a late jump on my season previews this year, but there is no time better than the present to get started. With less than a week until the Dukes first scrimmage against Shippensburg, I'd like to start with some squad superlatives.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2014/11/14-15-season-superlatives.html#more">Click to read more »</a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-83905509920927224052014-11-02T11:45:00.001-05:002014-11-02T11:45:31.284-05:00Back to Blogger!It's good to be back in my old stomping grounds!<br />
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In case you missed it on twitter, I've elected to leave Fansided for a couple of reasons. First, I felt the demands of writing for them exceeded the benefits. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy my affiliation with the site. I absolutely did, and at one point, it made loads of sense for me. Lately, it has not. <br />
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I was also concerned about the reader experience over there. While I understand that they need to run ads to keep the lights on, I thought they were a little in your face for my tastes. If you see ads on here in the near future, please let it be known that it's more about creating something new and better in the long term for this blog than it is about us making money off the backs of our beloved Dukes. The return to blogger, while much needed, will hopefully be both temporary and brief.<br />
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Thanks for reading and your continued support!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401788951513564158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-66298454258021669052013-08-11T15:16:00.003-04:002013-08-11T15:16:31.680-04:006 Reason to be Excited in 2013By Steve DiMiceli <br>
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'6 Reasons' feels like another new tradition for the blog. Here are six reasons to be excited in 2013. 6 Reasons for concern will be along in a few days.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/08/6-reason-to-be-excited-in-2013.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-52101191662578701732013-08-03T12:17:00.001-04:002013-08-03T12:17:23.194-04:00What Did We Learn at the Pro-Am? By Steve DiMiceli <br>
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As recruiting began to wrap itself up, I pointed out <a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/05/5-keys-to-mens-season.html">5 keys for the 2013-2014 men's season. </a>With the sneak preview that the summer league provides, I thought now would be a great time to look back on those keys to see if the Pro-Am created anymore clarity or concerns. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-did-we-learn-at-pro-am.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-31187126266772331222013-08-02T08:50:00.002-04:002013-08-02T08:50:50.225-04:00First Impressions: Darius LewisBy Steve DiMiceli<br>
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When Darius Lewis verballed, I don't think anyone was truly expecting it. I was in the car when I read the tweet that said he committed (you shouldn't drive and tweet) and I had to google his name (you shouldn't drive and google). Problem is, I didn't find much. That evening after work, I went on an internet quest searching for info and still didn't find much. He was really big and went to IMG with a bunch of other really big guys. That was about the extent of what I knew about him. Since he committed, I was looking forward to seeing the complete Lewis at the Pro-Am and finally getting to know a little bit about him as a player. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/08/first-impressions-darrius-lewis.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-90913886395509344612013-07-30T10:49:00.003-04:002013-07-30T10:49:32.879-04:00First Impressions: Desmond RidenourBy Steve DiMiceli<br>
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When Desmond Ridenour committed in the spring, I can't say I was expecting it. We knew he was visiting, but the Dukes appeared to be in pretty strong position for higher profile combo guards, Duane Notice and Jon Severe. Throughout his recruitment during his senior and postgrad years, Ridenour flew well below the radar, but that didn't stop him from verbally committing to Dayton before ultimately ending up at Duquesne. Ridenour became more productive as the Pro-Am went along and showed flashes of why two Atlantic 10 schools believed he could play at their level. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-impressions-desmond-ridenour.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-35211929489378122982013-07-28T11:59:00.000-04:002013-07-28T18:21:06.545-04:00First Impressions: Jordan Robinson By Steve DiMiceli<br>
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Jordan Robinson was the only player whose game film I watched prior to seeing him in the Pro-Am. In high school, I thought he was a wide bodied big man with soft hands and a good nose for rebounds. He seemed to make the smart plays and never forced anything. His performance this summer has done nothing to change my mind. He's going to create space for his teammates on the glass, and punish teams when they don't pay enough attention to him on offense all while not doing much to hurt the team.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-impressions-jordan-robinson.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-180973041737153122013-07-27T10:40:00.002-04:002013-07-27T13:29:32.440-04:00First Impression:Tra'vaughn White<br>
By Steve DiMiceli<br>
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At the time I'm writing the bulk of this entry, I've
only seen Tra'vaugh play twice because an eye injury kept him out of what should have been his third and fourth games. In those two games he's averaged 26 points and that's not adjusting for him leaving his second game early. Tra'vaughn can flat out fill it up. Since then, he played in two more games and that conclusion hasn't changed. <br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-impressiontravaugh-white.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-78347084864417176442013-07-26T23:57:00.000-04:002013-07-27T00:06:22.001-04:00Dukes get transfer from WVUby Dave Morus<br />
<a href="http://duquesnedukes.yuku.com/topic/3420/Dukes-get-WVU-transfer">Discuss this on Yuku</a><br />
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While this has been out there for a while, it is certainly worth mentioning!<br />
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Some encouraging news for the football team today as incoming Freshman and Monessen grad Chavas Rawlins has signed a financial aide agreement with the school. Rawlins was an effective passer and rusher while at Monessen, combining for nearly 2000 yards and 25 touchdowns on offense. He was named to the PG's Fabulous 22 and the Trib's Terrific 25.<br />
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Another encouraging facet to this is the list of schools that pursued him. Many large programs in the Big 10, ACC, SEC, and Big East made offers - including Pitt. Quarterbacks Coach Jake Spavital was apparently central to Chavas's recruitment to the program, and his leaving impacted Rawlins and at least in part led to this decision. Other factors included a desire to be close to home and wanting to play immediately. He was likely headed for a redshirt season at WVU.<br />
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Rawlins was an all-state quarterback in Class A. There's no question - if his past performance is indicative of his future potential, he could make an impact for the Dukes. Welcome to the Bluff!YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7514520027432182172.post-48340608131632565782013-07-25T07:41:00.000-04:002013-07-25T07:41:00.768-04:00The Lair Fall 108-101 in PBC Pro - Am ChampionshipBy Steve DiMiceli<br>
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The quiet, almost entirely sterile City Game might be getting a little hotter if the PBC Pro - Am Champioship is any indication. Chippy would be an understatement. Dirty and nasty are a bit more appropriate as the refs lost complete control of the game at one point.<br>
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<a href="http://yukudukes.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-lair-fall-108-101-in-pbc-pro-am.html#more">Click to read more »</a>YukuDukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596040904629907395noreply@blogger.com