Duquesne Dec 8

[latigo]

I just checked the line. Duquesne -14 (too high) and 129. What's interesting id going to be which style takes over. Duquesne averages 27 FGM and 59 FGA. Whereas, SP limits teams to 19 FGM (5th in the country) and 47 FGA (2nd in the country). Just my opinion, but if SP can keep those numbers to our advantage (defense, rebounding), we should be fine. Unfortunately, the offense has numbers toward the bottom of the country. Play SP style, keep it close and let's go. Go Peacocks!

[youngalum]

I was surprised to see Duquesne had a game on the road yesterday against Marshall. Hopefully that works in our favor because they are pretty damn good.

Like Cindy and others have stated I don’t normally follow any players that transfer out. Estrada for example, as good as he’s been I haven’t watched or really cared to follow since he’s left. However I feel differently about the core group of Jr’s and KC from our EE team. We got to see them develop for 3/4 years and give us fans the thrill of a lifetime. To that point it will be weird playing against the twins who were my favorites of the group. I can’t think of any other players who were my favorite and could frustrate me the most at the same time. I loved watching them play but they could also make you pull your hair out. I hope we give them an L tomorrow night then they go on to have a great season.

[latigo]

Oh no! I thought the twins were still at La Salle. That's my problem with the portal. I really don't care who goes where. So let me get this straight... the twins are on their 3rd team. Estrada on his 4th, 5th? At some point, I realize the NCAA is neutered and POSSIBLY the most inept organization (that's saying something), but can we end the damn portal? I'm fine if a student/athlete wants to transfer... fine. Sit for 1 year. Moreover, the NCAA is figuring out that money talks and they can't graft anymore. As Pride mentioned in an earlier post, cut out the middle man and let schools pay the players. End of middies and small colleges. However, why wouldn't Ivy league schools decide to get in the mix and pay student/athletes? With their endowment, they could win every year. Oops, I forgot... lawsuits forthcoming.

[youngalum]

I think the Ivy’s might be situated to be the best mid major conference. Very few players are going to transfer before graduating, and give up that Ivy degree. So in todays world of roster turnover they should be able to develop a team.

Thing I find funny with the Ivy’s is as much money as they have most play in gyms equivalent or worse than ours.

[figgyprez]

Young alum ur post trr er minds of fiddler on the roof. The ivies sing “tradition” and the other mid majors sing “if I were a rich man”. A little gallows humor I guess

[ps85]

Despite a long scoring drought mid-half, we're only down 5. Let's have a second half like we enjoyed at Canisius.

[youngalum]

Drames seem to be the difference in the game thus far.

[lilrobjc201]

tough game but another that shows we can hang with the better funded programs

[loyal]

Glad to see Ziegler’s minutes increase. We’ll need him to be a somewhat consistent scoring threat due to our limited offensive options.

D was very good. Kept us on the periphery of the game.

Dukes size limited us inside; MAAC opponents should be less intimidating most nights.

On to UMBC Tuesday.

[spc91]

Good effort against a decent squad in the Dukes. Coach gave minutes to 10 players. Personally, I think Ziegler needs to start and get the bulk of the minutes over Bland.

[latigo]

Solid game. Washington looks like he is 100%. I did notice a huge discrepancy in ft's. SP 9 Duq 22. Ouch. UMBC up tomorrow. Go Peacocks

[JohnGalt]

Good showing against a solid mid major. Some home cooking kept this from being a closer game. Credit to Mason for tweaking the offense to do a better job against a good Duquesne press. Still, in my opinion, need to take the offensive advantage when the press is beaten. Shoot from the open wing positions or drive inside rather than begin a 20 sec. offense that yields an under 40% success rate. Unfortunately this runs counter to Mason’s desire to keep the pace down.

While Washington’s outside shooting has indeed improved, we need his more effective inside game. Aside from Reid, we lack others that can attack the basket. Clarke and Randolph did not show much, Bland can not make a 3 under pressure, although I give him credit for improving his defensive game. Mason seems to have lost confidence in Perkins and Wood. Houge needs to be a bigger part of the offense. Ziegler is being given more of a role (31 min.), has a load of talent, is fearless, but with that, will play out of control at times. Wish we could play more inside/out. Maybe Sow/Roberts can not handle the role. Houge perhaps?

Team certainly looks top five. Eight games in should be enough to judge who we are.

[latigo]

Oops, UMBC Tuesday. I was thinking Friday, Sunday. As Emily Litella would say, "nevermind".

[dreamweaver]

We continue to look better and better, especially our passing. Earlier in the season, the Duquesne press would have destroyed us. I thought we played them on equal footing and really lost the game due to our excessive fouling once again. I agree with others that Randolph and Clarke are at about the same level as Bland. Zeigler is clearly one of our best players and needs to get 25-30 minutes per game. I feel better and better about our chances to contend at the top of the MAAC. We should be right in the mix. Our combination of Sow and Roberts in the post has been a pleasant surprise as has the ball handling of Washington.

[latigo]

Dreamweaver, I agree. I think this team is a step quicker. I watched some of the UMBC game today. SP should win the game. Go Peacocks!