(01-17-2019 08:44 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  I like the fact the team doesn't give up, but missing some key pieces still: depth at guard; and a real post player.

That's it exactly. After the UNCW game, I admit to dreaming about what this team would look like with Toews and Cacok. Maybe Bourne can work out a trade...That how this all works, right?

But they do definitely fight the entire game.

Box Score view...

*Dukes turned the ball over only 4 times. I can't recall the last time I saw us commit so few turnovers.

*Carter & Allen scored 55 of UD's 76 points. Those 2 guys combined for 20 of 29 from the field, 5 of 7 from outside the arc (all Allen), 10 of 12 from the line, and 14 rebounds. We essentially were beaten by 2 guys. I thought the defensive strategy (or lack there of) against Carter was stupid.

*Mosley scored all 22 of his points in the 2nd half. Hopefully - and I stress "hopefully" - that 2nd half performance will spark him as his play during the CAA schedule has been sub-par to his normal standard. He couldn't find the rim on some of his shots in the first half.

*UD shot 56% from the field and 50% from outside the arc. 86% from the line. That's tough to beat anytime, but we didn't defend the post worth crap. Difficult to swallow that we allowed two guys to beat us. When a post player is lighting you up for 18 pts in the first half - close to all being beaten in sole man-to-man defense - it is beyond time to start doubling down and forcing somebody else to beat you. Pretty dumb.

(01-18-2019 07:29 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Box Score view...

*Dukes turned the ball over only 4 times. I can't recall the last time I saw us commit so few turnovers.

*Carter & Allen scored 55 of UD's 76 points. Those 2 guys combined for 20 of 29 from the field, 5 of 7 from outside the arc (all Allen), 10 of 12 from the line, and 14 rebounds. We essentially were beaten by 2 guys. I thought the defensive strategy (or lack there of) against Carter was stupid.

*Mosley scored all 22 of his points in the 2nd half. Hopefully - and I stress "hopefully" - that 2nd half performance will spark him as his play during the CAA schedule has been sub-par to his normal standard. He couldn't find the rim on some of his shots in the first half.

*UD shot 56% from the field and 50% from outside the arc. 86% from the line. That's tough to beat anytime, but we didn't defend the post worth crap. Difficult to swallow that we allowed two guys to beat us. When a post player is lighting you up for 18 pts in the first half - close to all being beaten in sole man-to-man defense - it is beyond time to start doubling down and forcing somebody else to beat you. Pretty dumb.

We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

Watched most of the game. The team is playing better but it just seems like we play a lot of 1 on 1. I feel our talent exceeds our play.


Every time I go to, or see on TV UD's arena I wonder who the hell came up with that plan? Their arena is relatively new, but it sucks. The sound acoustics are muffled and the whole thing just seems drab. Money not well spent.

(01-18-2019 09:00 AM)jmudukes Wrote:  We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

I agree with everything you said with exception of "we are a good team". We are not a good team. Our record indicates that.

(01-17-2019 08:14 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  Can't have another recruiting year of a bunch of 6-4 guards. JMU needs a real post presence.

Amen. I feel like we are wasting talented guard-years until then.

(01-17-2019 08:26 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  Phillips is trying to cover Carter with 4 fouls. He's got to have some help and it ain't there.

True. Yet, IMO fouling is a symptom of poor defense.

(01-18-2019 12:16 PM)jmuroadwarrior Wrote:  

(01-17-2019 08:26 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  Phillips is trying to cover Carter with 4 fouls. He's got to have some help and it ain't there.

True. Yet, IMO fouling is a symptom of poor defense.

Yes, poor defense and a poor defensive scheme. They get caught with their pants down a lot in the half court trap defense with man to man principles because they have to switch. In this game it left Phillips covering a guard and Moseley trying to cover Carter inside. Multiple mismatches and advantage Delaware.

(01-18-2019 09:48 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:00 AM)jmudukes Wrote:  We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

I agree with everything you said with exception of "we are a good team". We are not a good team. Our record indicates that.

record may show that, but look at our losses, most of them are very close games; just need to close it out

(01-18-2019 01:19 PM)jmudukes Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:48 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:00 AM)jmudukes Wrote:  We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

I agree with everything you said with exception of "we are a good team". We are not a good team. Our record indicates that.

record may show that, but look at our losses, most of them are very close games; just need to close it out

Yep. Good teams close them out. Wannabee good teams lose very close games. Having said that, maybe one day we'll be good.

It was a good effort to get back into the game, but we twice had the ball in the last couple of minutes down three and took poor shots. We still have no consistent idea of what a good shot is and when to take a shot. We will rush poor shots early in the shot clock multiple times per half. I do like Parker, he plays the game under control.

Oh well, on to Drexel.

(01-18-2019 01:19 PM)jmudukes Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:48 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:00 AM)jmudukes Wrote:  We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

I agree with everything you said with exception of "we are a good team". We are not a good team. Our record indicates that.

record may show that, but look at our losses, most of them are very close games; just need to close it out

Don’t look too closely at our losses. If you do you’ll realize we’ve lost to some horrible teams.

I think folks who say “who cares, the CAA Tourney is all that counts” must not realize this is the team that will be representing JMU.

(01-18-2019 01:19 PM)jmudukes Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:48 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 09:00 AM)jmudukes Wrote:  We lost it in the first half. No defense on Carter. However, we came back and we just have to learn from this. We are a good team. What really counts is who wins the tournament, but we do not want to have to play an extra game.

I agree with everything you said with exception of "we are a good team". We are not a good team. Our record indicates that.

record may show that, but look at our losses, most of them are very close games; just need to close it out

Close is only worth a **** in horseshoes and hand grenades.

(01-18-2019 01:55 PM)Dukesfan1971 Wrote:  It was a good effort to get back into the game, but we twice had the ball in the last couple of minutes down three and took poor shots. We still have no consistent idea of what a good shot is and when to take a shot. We will rush poor shots early in the shot clock multiple times per half. I do like Parker, he plays the game under control.

Oh well, on to Drexel.

Good points. Lewis missed the second of two free throws late and then forced a wild, out of control shot in the last two minutes. Then, I thought the Dukes fouled the wrong guy twice and took too long to do it.

We also took too long to adjust defensively, playing a much better second half. Was the team not prepared going into the game? I missed the opening few minutes but it's tough to overcome a 14 point deficit on the road to start the game.

Regarding your question about the opening minutes of the game, Rowe tried to defend Carter with Dwight Wilson who started the game. It was a joke and didn’t make any sense as Carter abused him repeatedly.
We all know Wilson is a liability on defense. Rowe knows this too which makes his decision dumbfounding.

If he was going to start Wilson he needed to do one of 2 things, either start Phillips with him to defend Carter or double team on every post touch.
He didn’t do either until it was too late and Delaware had a quick double digit lead.

Wilson ended up playing the first 5 minutes of the game, but only 9 total for the game after getting exposed from the tip.