Just some random thoughts. -- Duquesne Dukes Basketball Forum

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Date Posted: Thursday, July 08, 01:32:15pm
Author: TMH
Subject: Just some random thoughts.

1.)There was some discussion earlier about this being Saunder's and Clark's team. I hope it is true but they need to take ownership of it right now. Ownership is not given, it's earned. That means that they need to make themselves better as well as their team mates. The true crisis of last year's edition is that no one stepped up into that role.
2.)T.J. McConnell-When I began singing his praises after his junior year...the critics responded that all he can do is shoot.When he scored 42 points without the benefit of a 3 in the first game of his senior year against Seton LaSalle...the critics responded that it was against a weak 2A team. When TJ scored 38 the following game against a fairly good 4A team in USC...the critics responded that the WPIAL was really weak this year.When he took his show to San Diego for the Surf & Slam tournament and smashed the 19 year scoring record including 36 against the #1 team in Ohio....the critics said that it wasn't like playing against intercity Philly, NYC or DC teams. When he scored 32 with 12 boards and 5 steals against the best team in Philly (#2 in the nation)....the critics responded that he won't be able to do that against college players. Now that he is proving himself in the summer league against our own players as well as Pitt and RMU...the critics are saying wait until he plays A-10 competition. I think it's now time to stop being a critic and just sit back and enjoy the ride.
3.)There was some talk about our guards being too short to play defense. If I'm not mistaken, the A-10 defensive player of the year was under-sized for his position. What he lacked in height, he more than made up for with quick hands and feet,pure instinct and a nose for the ball.Hmmm..if we can only find a guard with those qualities. While I'm at it..let him be able to shoot and pass a little too. :-)

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Replies:

Well stated, TMH, especially your citations of TJ McConnell's accomplishments and his critics' comments. It is my observation that there are some McConnell haters out there who either minimize their accomplishments or just bad mouth TJ, his dad, or his aunt. More inside... -- Always a Duke, Thursday, July 08, 03:35:03pm
I hope you are right (More) -- Rednbluz, Thursday, July 08, 03:49:29pm
it's just wierd. This kid could cure cancer and negotiate peace in the Middle East and people on this board would still find fault with it. (NT) -- Stevie, Thursday, July 08, 04:29:07pm
- The kid has talent and he's a winner. Don't forget, society today is not about achievement, winning and excellence; it is all about everyone getting the same color ribbon. Ahhh, now I have the taste of vomit in my mouth again ... (NT) -- El Duque, Thursday, July 08, 04:52:43pm
  - I just think some don't want to get their hopes up to high. Remember the lovefest for EE 2 years ago, combined with the total disrespect some on this board showed for AJax. All I can say is, it's good to have so many options at guard. I wish we had as many up front. We are a Saunders injury away from 20 losses. With him healthy, we win 20. That's how important he is. (NT) -- duq81, Thursday, July 08, 05:47:08pm
    - This is deadly accurate...way to go Debbie Downer :-) (NT) -- Slim, Thursday, July 08, 06:02:26pm
    - Actually I was referreing to the people described above who saw the kid play (and excel) and STILL had negative things to say. I certainly understand someone, sight unseen, reserving judgment. And of course I remember the EE lovefest because I was president of that club. Similarly, I stuck by Evans in the early going when he was still adjusting to life as our main PG last year. Watching Evans against Dayton last year, I was convinced the Flyers couldn't stop him and they are as talented as any A-10 team, so I still believe Evans will be among the best PGs in the league this year. (NT) -- El Duque, Friday, July 09, 09:37:11am
      - You should have seen him at Greentree the other day. He was great. (NT) -- MFE08, Friday, July 09, 11:20:01am
        If I remember correctly, EE was 4X rookie of the week in his freshman year and a key component of that team's success. I certainly did not consider him to be a bust. My only problem was his perceived digression in the off-season. Did you notice any change in his shooting including foul shots? If he works hard in that area this summer, I think he could be a real stud this fall. (NT) -- TMH, Friday, July 09, 12:00:05pm
        His digression was understandable in my opinion...he went from coming off the bench (sometimes playing in place of AJAX but mostly playing with him) to being THE 1 guard, with no reliable back-up and replacing a guy who had achieved semi-legendary status. But EE in the second half of the season was not just competent but, I think, one of the better PGs in the conference. As for FT shooting -- the whole team stunk. That is something that MUST be fixed. (NT) -- Slim, Friday, July 09, 12:58:45pm
        Probably the most consistent thing about EE is his inconsistency. He certainly did a much better job taking care of the ball however... -- TMH, Friday, July 09, 02:20:11pm
        Needs to make better decisions as well. I believe he's got the ability to be an upper half A-10 PG if he gets a better head. He seemed to launch a 3pter brick at the most inopportune times. He is the PG and his job is to distribute to others for the open shot before he looks to shoot. . (NT) -- Greg, Saturday, July 10, 09:51:40am
        Actually Greg, I thought his decision making was much improved. Over those last 12 games, I think he had 49 assists and only 17 turnovers. He only shot more than 3 treys once (4of 7 against Fordham). The larger issue is his inability to make many of them considering he shot 42% from HS and outside shooting was considered a strength by most scouting services. (NT) -- TMH, Saturday, July 10, 03:26:13pm
        I don't consider EE to be a bust either, but many of the same folks who all but calling Tom Izzo a fool for not recruiting him, are now ready to toss him under the TJ bus. (NT) -- duq81, Saturday, July 10, 12:45:42am
McConnell's Greentree Stats: 4th in scoring 18.5 PPG, 8th in Rebounds 6.3 RPG, 1st in Assists 6APG, 4th in FG% 57.7%, 1st in three-point % 47.1%, 2nd in assist-turnover rario 3:4:1 Any way you look at it his performance is impressive. (NT) -- CLK, Thursday, July 08, 05:10:03pm
- Probably also first in minutes played which pads his stats some. (NT) -- WEB, Friday, July 09, 12:06:48pm
  - Ahhhh, so that�s how it works. The kid plays well, so he plays more. He plays more, so he does better. In the end, he helps his team win. BRILLIANT!!!!! -- El Duque, Friday, July 09, 01:17:34pm
    - Yes. A bit difficult to average 18.5 ppg from the pine, but let's hold that against him too. (NT) -- Slim, Friday, July 09, 01:48:03pm
      - He would have an argument, I guess, if TJ weren't shooting nearly 60% from the floor and nearly 40% from 3. (NT) -- El Duque, Friday, July 09, 02:28:55pm
Well said; I don't know of anyone who has actually seen TJ play that doubts his ability to do it at the college level. DU has a real special player. (NT) -- Jules, Thursday, July 08, 05:49:44pm
- Have you heard anything new from our old friend the former Dukes player who is now a WPIAL referee regarding TJ's abilities? I have not. -- VBC, Friday, July 09, 10:33:24am
TJ will rule. Stop the silliness. (NT) -- Alan, Friday, July 09, 10:14:58am
TJ the "bust" -- The sad thing is, if this kid doesn't average 50 a game, some people here will say he's a bust. And God forbid he misses a shot or muffs a pass. He's probably not going to average 20. Very few college stars do. The game is just that way. But he's obviously got great talent. So give him a break. Give him a chance to learn. And like the other guy said, why not just sit back and enjoy the ride. (NT) -- Dukes Fan (.), Saturday, July 10, 01:12:21am
- I think more people than not will embrace TJ, and Jerry Jones, Derrick Martin, and Michael Talley as well. Sounds like Ron has a solid and potentially exciting freshman class that should compliment our current core. I think what we really need is more fans here like you focusing on the positive. (NT) -- El Duque, Saturday, July 10, 08:21:35am
  - This board has some of the worst posts since DAP and Nee days. Let's wait until these kids play before call them names like bust. (NT) -- philldogg, Saturday, July 10, 04:56:51pm

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