Pittsburgh Sports Now » All Posts

Reply To: Can Duquesne Survive Without Carry?

Mike Vukovcan — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 02:04:02 +0000

Great comments. Thx DRoberts!!

Reply To: Can Duquesne Survive Without Carry?

droberts — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:49:25 +0000

One thing that is clear: the Dukes are listening to and believing in Coach Dambrot. They are having more success than they have in 30 years and it’s taken a team effort to accomplish. It’s encouraging but still a work in progress. Keith said it best, “we’re pretty good but not a championship team yet.” They still need more size and a consistent shooter. . . James Ellis and Maceo Austin can help fill those roles. Weathers very quietly has become a very consistent contributor in A10 play, TDM is stepping up when Sincere can’t play and Lamar Norman has contributed some significant minutes and solid defensive play. I’m not convinced about Wade. . . he doesn’t penetrate and create so maybe Keith needs to think about looking for another point guard when he replaces the Mike Lewis scholarship. Let’s see how the rest of this season plays out and hope for putting Duquesne Dukes and NCAA tournament in the same sentence next year.

Can Duquesne Survive Without Carry?

Mike Vukovcan — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 16:32:48 +0000

For the second time this season, Duquesne had to play without talented freshman point guard Sincere Carry.

The question is how much longer will they be without him?

If they had to play without him, can they survive? Dunn-Martin would obviously take over as the starting point guard and Brandon Wade could become the backup. Also, that would mean more playing time for freshman Lamar Norman.

Currently, Duquesne is tied for the 4th spot in the A-10 and need to stay there if they want to earn the double-bye for the tournament.

The question is how much longer will they have to play with Carry and will that injury kill their season?

Want To Hear From Duquesne Hoops Fans

Mike Vukovcan — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 15:05:57 +0000

Duquesne fans, having a winning basketball team is pretty fun, huh?

The Dukes picked up win #18 on the season last night with a comeback win over George Mason. That’s 2 wins from the 20 win plateau which is something Duquesne has accomplished only once since 1981.

Sure looks like Keith Dambrot is a miracle worker or just a really, really good coach.

I’d like to hear from you and get your thoughts on what you’ve seen so far. What or who has impressed you most about this team? How have your thoughts/expectations changed? If you’re a fan but really haven’t supported the program much, is that going to change?

Let me hear from you!

Reply To: Thoughts On Duquesne Thru 11 Games

Alan Saunders — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 05:19:42 +0000

Mike Hughes is a star. Young guards look promising, but I agree that there’s just too many young guys to see consistency happening this season.

Reply To: Thoughts On Duquesne Thru 11 Games

DJ Lotion — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 03:25:00 +0000

It is apparent after the non-conference schedule this will be an up-and-down year. Given the youth on the roster, this type of rollercoaster ride is a given. Next year however, you will have 4 potential All Conference players on the roster with Sincere, Maceo Austin, Eric Williams and Michael Hughes. That talent alone should allow them to compete for the A-10 title in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. You also will have some very nice, high upside pieces in Norman and Ellis. You hope the other guys will contribute as bench/complimentary players. All of this potential talent is certainly good enough to beat anyone in the A-10 as they mature. It will come down to player development and I think that will be the most important thing to watch over the next 60 days. Let’s see this team be better come March 1 than they are today. Or at a minimum, play more consistent basketball than they have shown to date.

Reply To: Thoughts On Duquesne Thru 11 Games

DJ Lotion — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 03:11:40 +0000

Thoughts On Duquesne Thru 11 Games

Mike Vukovcan — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 21:14:59 +0000

I don’t think anyone would argue that that Duquesne men’s basketball continues to trend upward. With 2 games remaining before conference games begin, Duquesne is 8-3 with a good chance of making it to 10 wins before A-10 action. Losses have been to Notre Dame, Pitt and Penn State. While not being very competitive against Pitt was discouraging, the only result that (IMO) was disappointing was Wednesday’s game vs. Penn State. Regardless of the score, I still believe Duquesne is a better team and should’ve won that game.

Despite that, it’s been a good start for Keith Dambrot and his team.

I Feel as though the biggest story has been the emergence of freshman point guard Sincere Carry. During the summer, Dambrot privately told me to watch out for him that he’s really good and man has he been right. Dambrot has really good player that’s going to lead his team for the next three years.

The biggest thing they’re adjusting to is a loaded roster. I think Dambrot is still trying to figure out playing time and exact roles for everyone. It’s not as easy as you’d think. It’s unusual to say, but Duquesne seems to have too many players that are capable of playing. Once conference play starts, Dambrot needs to find a steady rotation and stick with it.

What are your thoughts on what you’ve seen so far?

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

DJ Lotion — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 18:31:27 +0000

I agree on Ellis. I am hearing he may be the best of the bigs before it is all said and done. It may be time to go with another “big” at the #4 with Rotroff or Gavin. Coach D has definitely utilized Rotroff at the #4 a lot more the last 2 games so maybe he is warming up to that lineup a little more. It certainly makes the Dukes much bigger in the frontcourt than when using Weathers or EWill at the #4. A lot of possible combinations and it may just be a mix and match all season unless someone emerges and takes control at the #4 spot. With the A-10 being down this year, the Dukes should still finish in the top 4-6 even with the question mark at the #4. But if they can solve that problem, it moves them into a champsionship contending team.

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

Mike Vukovcan — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 14:11:02 +0000

You’re exactly right DJ. I believe they’re one scoring big-man away from having a really good roster. Having Carry, Norman and Williams at 1 thru 3 for the next 3 years is a great start. I know that Dambrot really likes both Austin Rotroff and Gavin Bizeau, who are skilled and have length. He’s also told me that Amari Kelly has the talent to be really good. The one name that many are forgetting about is James Ellis from Westinghouse. Ellis is 6’11” and could be the final piece to this puzzle. I’m told by coaches that sitting out this year will help Ellis in the weight room, the classroom and could allow him to be a force at Duquesne. Remember that name.

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

DJ Lotion — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:47:09 +0000

We are set at the #1 & #2. This team would be at its best with Eric Williams at the #3. However, we are very weak at the #4 so we need to slide Williams there and go with a “mix and match” at the #3 with F Hughes, etc. We will be fine with Williams guarding the #4 against many of the teams on our schedule but him playing the #4 against top tier A-10 teams or elite teams is a problem. If Dambrot can land a top tier #4 (or develop one from the current crop of Bizzeau, Weathers, etc), this team is definitely built for an A-10 title run within a couple years.

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

ajntrw — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 19:05:44 +0000

Should make for a good City Game as both Pitt and Duquesne resurrect their programs!

H2P!

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

Mike Vukovcan — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 16:31:44 +0000

Thanks for the feedback Norman. I agree the immediate and long-term future for Duquesne hoops is as promising as it’s been in a long, long, long time. With the guards and wing players they currently have, if they can get any sort of positive production for the 4 and 5’s, look out.

Reply To: Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

Norman Catalano — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 16:12:13 +0000

This is a very promising start for the Dukes. But as Coach Dambrot said, he didn’t come to Duquesne to finish 11th. This team is so young – all freshman and sophs, except for Mike Lewis, that their ceiling is pretty high. It would not surprise me if they challenge for the conference championship in the next year or so, just like Coach wants!

Dambrot/Duquesne Has Plenty of Options

Mike Vukovcan — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 15:46:46 +0000

We’ve gone into this year knowing that unlike last year, Keith Dambrot was going to have a long bench and plenty of rotation options.

If he didn’t like what he was seeing from a player, needed a spark or had a favorable match-up, he would have plenty of players to look to make adjustments.

Last night vs. Illinois/Chicago that was very evident and he might have more legitimate options than we knew about. Dambrot used 12 players, 3 of which were making their college debuts (Lamar Norman, Amari Kelly and Gavin Bizeau).

While the team struggled and trailed by double-digits in the 1st half, Dambrot seemed to be shuttling players in at every stop of play in hopes of finding a group that would give him consistent minutes.

In the second half, his team shot better (51.2%) and he met a lot more with the players that were hot.

It’s only 2 games and I don’t want to overreact BUT Duquesne looks like they’ve got a lot of really good young talent, especially at the guard position.

As you’ve probably been reading about, Sincere Carry is legit. As I was watching the game with PSN’s Doug Biega, we both commented early in the 1st half that he doesn’t look at all like a freshman. His body frame, his maturity decision making and the way he sees things on the court, makes you think he’s a senior. Last night, he looked as though he could drive to the hoop anytime he choose to do so. IT”S EARLY BUT, it looks like Dambrot brought in a real special player.

Carry wasn’t the only guard that stood out to me. Norman, another true freshman, was called upon heavily in the 2nd half and delivered as he drained three important 3-pointers and finished with 11 points. After the game, Dambrot called Norman the best athlete on Duquesne’s roster. He has the looks of someone that can be very effective coming off the bench and providing instant offense.

Freshman guard Brandon Wade also looked impressive. Like Carry, he also looks so mature and a floor general. He will be a nice compliment to Carry at the point as well as playing some at the two spot. One thing that really impressed me about Wade and also Tavian Martin-Dunn was the tenacious man-man defense they play. They don’t take any defensive possessions off and constantly hound the guys they’re guarding.

The combination of Carry, Mike Lewis, Lamar Norman, Brandon Wade, Tavian Dunn-Martin and Frankie Hughes will provide Duquesne will really strong guard play maybe as strong as any team in the A-10.

The only issue I see is getting guys enough minutes, substituting too much and deciding on who’s going to be on the court at crunch time.

When’s the last time having too much talent has been a problem at Duquesne?

LOL, that’s the positive impact of Keith Dambrot.