Any chance we see a return of Midnight Madness?

Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

I don't see a huge difference in talent - at least top line talent. I really think this season will come down to best coached. I still think if By had coached Lou's talent/ teams they would of been top 3 or 4 every year.

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

Not surprised. JMU will not get credit until they prove themselves worthy of getting credit. Plus as strange as 2020 was, that certainly doesn't help matters.
Low expectations means little to no pressure and they can play the underdog, which is always an easy motivation tool.
I do expect this team to pass expectations. While there may not be a star player like Lewis, I do think this will be a better TEAM that won't have to rely on a single player. Perhaps someone steps up, but I really don't think that will be necessary for this team to be good.

I'm hopeful and really excited, I especially have loved Amadi since he's been here and hope he can break out as the next star but agree that this team shouldn't need to rely on a star like previous teams have had to rely on Matt.

A little concerned that the short and unusual season could have been a bit of a fluke but I don't think it was and it was definitely an impressive turnaround that I really wish hadn't ended with Matt down to an injury. Definitely agree the bigger concern is the ability to win big games, hopefully that's not a worry after this year and shooting down that concern on December 7 would be especially nice.

If that does stay a concern then I hope JMU has high standards and expectations instead of going very long being ok with getting to where we just have a solid team that never ends up doing anything in March like W&M with Shaver. Buuuut getting way way way way ahead of myself there. I think, and obviously hope, that before long the bigger concern will be whether or not we can keep Byington around.

I think this is a key season for By. Had a great first year. If he can have a better 2nd year he can grow the momentum of the new arena and fans coming back. If we were middle of the road this year, I could see us loosing some steam in the program.

Just picked up a couple season tickets...hopefully I'll at least make it to a few games.

No season tickets for me, but I got a paver today.

For those that don't know this is the last day for the pavers as well.....

https://jmudukeclub.com/sports/2020/12/1...r-campaign

(07-15-2021 11:39 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

I don't see a huge difference in talent - at least top line talent. I really think this season will come down to best coached. I still think if By had coached Lou's talent/ teams they would of been top 3 or 4 every year.

not sure I agree with By taking Lou's teams to 3rd or 4th place. Look at last year, a lot of Lou's guys left and outside of Matt and Wooden, the big contribuitors were By guys. Amadi, Strickland, Vado, Edwards, Hodge. Maybe you could argue Jacobs from the Lou era. Look at where Lou's guys ended up and the contributions they made. Wilson is the only one who made meaningful contributions.

we earned every bit of those last place finishes, poor coaching and mediocre talent.

(07-15-2021 02:56 PM)PGJMU2 Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:39 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

I don't see a huge difference in talent - at least top line talent. I really think this season will come down to best coached. I still think if By had coached Lou's talent/ teams they would of been top 3 or 4 every year.

not sure I agree with By taking Lou's teams to 3rd or 4th place. Look at last year, a lot of Lou's guys left and outside of Matt and Wooden, the big contribuitors were By guys. Amadi, Strickland, Vado, Edwards, Hodge. Maybe you could argue Jacobs from the Lou era. Look at where Lou's guys ended up and the contributions they made. Wilson is the only one who made meaningful contributions.

we earned every bit of those last place finishes, poor coaching and mediocre talent.

Lou with last year's team would of finished bottom half of CAA.

Other than VCU, By's team through Jan 3rd was lousy - the team improved a ton during the year.

Every year Lou's team got worse as the year went on, likely meaning other teams improved and we did not.

PG - I think you value coaching much less than I do.

Give me Mark with Lou's playerss over Lou with last year's By players.

Mark made a world of difference in Matt Lewis. In a few months he took a one on one "I'll take any shot" player to a team player that lead the team late in games.

(07-15-2021 03:06 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 02:56 PM)PGJMU2 Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:39 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

I don't see a huge difference in talent - at least top line talent. I really think this season will come down to best coached. I still think if By had coached Lou's talent/ teams they would of been top 3 or 4 every year.

not sure I agree with By taking Lou's teams to 3rd or 4th place. Look at last year, a lot of Lou's guys left and outside of Matt and Wooden, the big contribuitors were By guys. Amadi, Strickland, Vado, Edwards, Hodge. Maybe you could argue Jacobs from the Lou era. Look at where Lou's guys ended up and the contributions they made. Wilson is the only one who made meaningful contributions.

we earned every bit of those last place finishes, poor coaching and mediocre talent.

Lou with last year's team would of finished bottom half of CAA.

Other than VCU, By's team through Jan 3rd was lousy - the team improved a ton during the year.

Every year Lou's team got worse as the year went on, likely meaning other teams improved and we did not.

PG - I think you value coaching much less than I do.

Give me Mark with Lou's playerss over Lou with last year's By players.

Mark made a world of difference in Matt Lewis. In a few months he took a one on one "I'll take any shot" player to a team player that lead the team late in games.

not the case.

but I believe we fooled ourselves into thinking our issues were all coaching. I am one of them. I thought we had talent. while I dont think we were devoid of talent, I think we overvalued what we had. By can not only coach, but he can evaluate, recruit talent and put complementary talent together. We had 3 or 4 pieces, but last year By traded out & traded up talent.

that is what has me very optimistic for this year. we have done another overhaul and I expect us to take another leap in talent.

By would have done better than Lou with the 2019 team that went 2-16. Now granted, they mailed it in at the end. 12-6 was 3rd place 11-7 was 4th. I could see him getting that team to 8-8, 9-7. good for 5th.

I think everyone is a little right here- Lou’s brought in some talent but the pieces didn’t fit together and there were key areas where they struggled- defense/motors, outside shooting - talent yes- skill development not so much and not sure the philosophy and identity was a winning formula. He was trying to figure it out. Coach By has an idea on a winning style and system it’s proven and he knows what players to bring in to fit that style. Additionally while Lou brought some talent the level of talent and athleticism that Coach By has brought is way above- Lou never recruited an Amadi like talent. Kid can jump out of the gym and has explosion that no players under Rowe or Brady had.

4 players on the roster are listed at 6’ 170 lbs. I don’t know about the 2 Freshmen, but Morse and Strickland are not 6’

This is a team of mighty mites and better be very quick to offset the size factor. JMU’s NCAA team from 1994 had 2 5’’10 starting guards and thrived.

Like others, my concern is not with the guard play, but with the interior play. Specifically, rebounding may be a big problem. When more than half of shots are missed in basketball, you better have players who can be men in the paint. Shooting will ebb and flow from game to game. Rebounding can be more consistent, but I don’t see where it is going to come from on this roster. Have any of the players shown to be strong rebounders?
I think The Dukes will be fine in the small CAA. None of the teams have enough interior players that can exert their will. Against legit OOC teams I see the Dukes getting slaughtered on the boards.

We were a surprisingly good rebounding team last year. Ranked 77th in the NCAA, higher than most of our conference brethren. All of our guards rebounded pretty well with amadi as the highest rebounder at 5rpg. Matt was a great rebounding guard.

All that is to say, if we didnt have trouble rebounding last year, i dont think we lost anything irreplaceable in terms of rebounding. Could be wrong on that.

Russell Westbrook is 6'6" and the best rebounder on the Wiz. Dennis Rodman was 6'7" and is considered one of, if not the best rebounder.

I am not concerned about rebounding. If you get a 6'10" wide load that can play, "Joel Embid", you cant defend those. we wont see many of those.

Lauri Markkanen is 7' and only had 5 rebounds per game this year, so height is clearly not the only determinant of rebounding prowess. Coach By has recruited guys that have long arms so their reach is longer than their listed or actual height. And with their athletic ability (jumpability?) it helps overcome the size difference of going against a slow footed 7 footer. Also, if we make all our shots, we won't get beat for rebounds; can't get a rebound if there are no misses to rebound

Is that NCAA stat correct? Or maybe it is a cumulative stat where JMU’s faster pace/higher possessions skew the numbers. The Dukes were a mediocre rebounding team last year.

If coach By is going to open it up and play a full court game all game, then it is less of a concern as opponents’ bigs will get worn out trying to run back and forth.
Barring a last minute recruit like Westbrook or Rodman, I’d love to see Wooden get coached into being an interior player. He has the body and the length to be a force in the CAA if he stops roaming around the perimeter. Sometimes I wonder if he realizes he is as big as he is. Easily big enough to be a physical center in the CAA.

We need the reverse process of Sam Perkins who started college as a double double machine then finished his NBA career as a finesse 3PT shooting forward.

(07-15-2021 03:06 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 02:56 PM)PGJMU2 Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:39 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 11:32 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Analytics site doesn't love the Dukes: https://barttorvik.com/trankpre.php?conl...2022&sort=

Lunardi has NE as the CAA rep as a no. 15 seed for next season.

I like Elon, College of Charleston, NE as possible strong CAA contenders to JMU, with Delaware, Drexel and Hofstra as possible threats. Pat Kelsey and Speedy Claxton are new CAA coaches, right?

JMU is vulnerable to interior size, especially if injuries become a factor. A very small team.

I think the freshman class is a good one and that's perhaps not currently reflected.

I don't see a huge difference in talent - at least top line talent. I really think this season will come down to best coached. I still think if By had coached Lou's talent/ teams they would of been top 3 or 4 every year.

not sure I agree with By taking Lou's teams to 3rd or 4th place. Look at last year, a lot of Lou's guys left and outside of Matt and Wooden, the big contribuitors were By guys. Amadi, Strickland, Vado, Edwards, Hodge. Maybe you could argue Jacobs from the Lou era. Look at where Lou's guys ended up and the contributions they made. Wilson is the only one who made meaningful contributions.

we earned every bit of those last place finishes, poor coaching and mediocre talent.

Lou with last year's team would of finished bottom half of CAA.

Other than VCU, By's team through Jan 3rd was lousy - the team improved a ton during the year.

Every year Lou's team got worse as the year went on, likely meaning other teams improved and we did not.

PG - I think you value coaching much less than I do.

Give me Mark with Lou's playerss over Lou with last year's By players.

Mark made a world of difference in Matt Lewis. In a few months he took a one on one "I'll take any shot" player to a team player that lead the team late in games.

It's one thing to have talent isn't a totally different thing to have coachable talent. I always thought Matt, was great athlete but not a great basketball athlete. Mark was able to coach him, Lou wasn't. At some point the light bulb went off and Matt became a coachable athlete.

(07-19-2021 12:27 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  4 players on the roster are listed at 6’ 170 lbs. I don’t know about the 2 Freshmen, but Morse and Strickland are not 6’

This is a team of mighty mites and better be very quick to offset the size factor. JMU’s NCAA team from 1994 had 2 5’’10 starting guards and thrived.

Like others, my concern is not with the guard play, but with the interior play. Specifically, rebounding may be a big problem. When more than half of shots are missed in basketball, you better have players who can be men in the paint. Shooting will ebb and flow from game to game. Rebounding can be more consistent, but I don’t see where it is going to come from on this roster. Have any of the players shown to be strong rebounders?
I think The Dukes will be fine in the small CAA. None of the teams have enough interior players that can exert their will. Against legit OOC teams I see the Dukes getting slaughtered on the boards.

Getting slaughtered on the boards can be offset with turnovers. Seems to me coach is building a pressure D type, trap style, press the whole game. It can be fun to watch but frustrating at times. That "street ball" style does attract fans including students.