(12-22-2020 07:06 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Player of the game - Mike Christmas. 15pts and 5 rebounds and 2 assists playing less than half the game. If someone could tell him that he is much larger than most players he could be much better. He still likes to play a finesse game in a tank body. JMU has a huge void in the paint on both sides of the ball and it looks like they need to fill it by committee.
Wooden plays soft too preferring to float around the perimeter and avoid contact. As he is still filling out, he could be a force in the paint in the CAA if he commits to it. A work in progress and possibly is not being coached into being more physical.

He was on fire there at the end. It was great to see. Hopefully it really builds his confidence for the rest of the season. That was the best 5 minutes of JMU basketball at the end that we have seen in a while. Just wish there was an extra minute or two on the clock at the end as we might have won. Never gave up and played hard until the end. Great comeback.

We really need to get VCU on the schedule each year or every other year. Would love to see them up at JMU in front of a packed house. Same with Richmond.

I have not seen much good stuff from the CAA this month other than Hofstra today so I think we have a chance at doing well in the conference. Cautiously optimistic and more excited to follow this years team after today.

Mensah needs big man 20 pound medicine ball practices, catch, turn, dunk over and over until he drops every practice. Repeat daily until he decides.to make his presence known on the court.

Non factor regardless of opponent now, needs some Juwan James mean.

As pissed as I was about the last call, I'm actually pretty excited, and obviously one call is not the game.

Other than the fact that the team does not quit, I'm most encouraged by the fact that the comeback happened with the team playing smart ball. If you dig into that kind of lead by playing desperately, it could mean that you only turn it on when your backs are against the wall. When you dig into it methodically, that can hopefully be a sign of things to come. It reminds me a little of the 2013 ncaa team, where during a loss towards the end of the regular season, I exclaimed, "Damn, I love this team."

Honesty, there were only a 2-3 of possessions each half where I felt the intent was wrong (rushed shots, no one coming to help the trapped ball handler, etc.). All of the other turnovers happened either because that's what VCU does, because someone saw the right play, but missed the execution or because a freshman was not used to things happening in that speed. I can live with all of those at this point in the season.

Hart is right about the rotation crystalizing. Excluding Fredericks, it should be the 8 who got minutes today plus Morse, all of them except Lewis for 17-25 minutes per game. Mensah should get a couple minutes just to bring him along and Harvey should be plugged in if anyone else doesn't play defense, lighting a fire under everyone else.

Finally, there were way to many easy backdoor cuts in the first half, but that seemed to tighten up in the second. Everybody fought on defense, which hasn't always been the case in recent years.

(12-22-2020 06:11 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  I was impressed, many positives for the Dukes.

But not a fan of Matt Lewis, players like this get you beat over and over again.

Despite being double teamed all game Lewis had a solid game. He score 21 on 7-16 shooting and had 12 rebounds and 7 assists.

I did not like his driving out of control forced shots at the end of the game. Other than that, he played solid today.

(12-22-2020 06:24 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  I couldn’t disagree more with the posters indicating Edwards is good.
He is aggressive.
He is confident
But he is overmatched right now and plays out of control getting his stuff handed to him many times tonight.
He took the second most shots. If he continues taking that many shots, JMU will be near the bottom of the CAA. Put a clamp on him coach.



Maybe he becomes a good player next year or after that. He is part of the problem right now.

Edwards is getting better each game- he’s a little raw but he’s aggressive and he does have an ability to get clean looks inside. I think he’s shifty with a quick first step and good vision. He will keep getting better.

(12-22-2020 08:21 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I did not like his driving out of control forced shots at the end of the game. Other than that, he played solid today.

He’s not perfect for sure but people knit pick- he’s a very solid player and I don’t buy that he can’t be on a winning team with good players snd coaches around him. There was a stretch in the game when he didn’t box out the Vcu guy gets an easy layup and then he forces a shot on the other end but he definitely doesn’t force it as much as he used to and he’s a very talented player who I think is trying to win.

He was 4-14 from the field and 1-6 from the line. He had several turnovers and air balled a three. He was bad today. Being aggressive isn’t a good thing when you shoot like he did.

(12-22-2020 12:06 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-22-2020 11:45 AM)PGJMU2 Wrote:  this will be a lopsided loss for us. enjoy this year for what it is. a chance for a diversion and a team with little expectations. Coach By was hired in a pandemic which I am sure hindered his ability to recruit. kids could not get on campus nor see the new arena.

after so many bad years, we are all anxious for this to turn, but it will take 3 years. sorry dukester......

It's OK.

"I" believe you under value coaching to results in basketball.

Mark's 2nd year at Ga Southern his team was 22-9 and 14-6 in conference.

Larranga's 2nd year at GMU he finished first in a much better version of the CAA.

Brady would of had a solid second year if not for injuries.

It does not take three years. If a good coach finishes strong their first year, it many times carries into a very nice 2nd year. That's my goal, and I think it's realistic. Not the end of the world if it does not happen, and starting in Covid certainly does not help him.

In the past you've pointed out coaches they have needed 5-7 years to turn things around. You can certainly find exceptions where that occurred, but it should not take that long. When you wait 5-7 years before you know, it can quickly turn to 2 decades of college basketball like we've had.

PG, have more confidence in coach B.

PG,

As I said, have a little confidence in the coach. Solid coaching makes a difference.

(12-22-2020 08:25 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  He was 4-14 from the field and 1-6 from the line. He had several turnovers and air balled a three. He was bad today. Being aggressive isn’t a good thing when you shoot like he did.

He’s raw for sure but talented - I don’t disagree that the cake isn’t fully baked yet. The hope was that Fredericks could be that veteran wing and Morse a vet guard. I think if those guys play Edwards minutes and shots go down. Hodge has impressed me the last couple of games. He’s a solid D1 guard who I think will be a good player for JMU the next 3 years (free year if eligibility this season).

VCU just beat ODU by 23 last week and Memphis by 11. That is encouraging.

JMU scored 50 in the second half.

(12-22-2020 08:49 PM)jmudukes001 Wrote:  VCU just beat ODU by 23 last week and Memphis by 11. That is encouraging.

JMU scored 50 in the second half.

Christmas is a guy who sometimes just makes it look easy- at times it looks like he’s going to easy but he’s a rhythm player for sure and when he gets going he is pretty smooth.

(12-22-2020 08:20 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(12-22-2020 06:11 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  I was impressed, many positives for the Dukes.

But not a fan of Matt Lewis, players like this get you beat over and over again.

Despite being double teamed all game Lewis had a solid game. He score 21 on 7-16 shooting and had 12 rebounds and 7 assists.

Then somebody's open ??????????

(12-22-2020 08:57 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  

(12-22-2020 08:20 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(12-22-2020 06:11 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  I was impressed, many positives for the Dukes.

But not a fan of Matt Lewis, players like this get you beat over and over again.

Despite being double teamed all game Lewis had a solid game. He score 21 on 7-16 shooting and had 12 rebounds and 7 assists.

Then somebody's open ??????????

I didn’t see him shoot off double teams today- they double teamed him when he brought the ball up to get the ball out of his hands and he did and I don’t think he had any issues in doing so. He did have 7 assists.

(12-22-2020 08:55 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Christmas is a guy who sometimes just makes it look easy- at times it looks like he’s going to easy but he’s a rhythm player for sure and when he gets going he is pretty smooth.

Well, it is Christmas time after all.

(ok ok, it was lame I admit it...but, it was there and I had to do it)

Ha so did Feinstein on the TV color call.

(12-22-2020 09:03 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Ha so did Feinstein on the TV color call.

Didn't watch the game so missed it. And now I have to learn that I am just as lame as Feinstein. Oh the horrors! I'm so ashamed.

(12-22-2020 08:21 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I did not like his driving out of control forced shots at the end of the game. Other than that, he played solid today.

I agree .

Also, totally subjective but I felt like we played to win as opposed to just making the final score closer .

VCU assumed the win and lost focus , but we continued to scrap . By the time Christmas hit another 3 and the Rams realized it was a game, they couldn’t flip the switch back on and we battled hard . I think that’s what I enjoyed the most from tonight . I think we have turned a corner . They are young , they will make mistakes , but they played with a fighter’s mentality


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They played aggressively down the stretch instead of passively or scared. Christmas got hot at the right time. He hasn’t shown the ability to sustain his effort over a full game much less multiple games. Not having Vado hurt us today in the first half. Hodge is starting to show promise though.

(12-22-2020 11:34 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-21-2020 11:46 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  Hunh

If I was still a betting man? I gave it up after betting on dumb baseball bets... 20-1/2?

Hope our guys play with pride, and win or lose it’s not a 21 pt blowout

Dunk - because of you, I'm putting $5 on the Dukes +19, although my head says give the 19.

Do you owe me a beer?

More likely a water fountain cup of water?

Good for the guys. Impressed.