As I said last year -

[Dukester]

the football dukes are playoff bound.

At this point, other then the brutal schedule, I see no reason to change my prediction.

Last year we were on the verge of a ball control offense. This year we do it.

8)

[Duke Dawg]

Dukester, not to change the subject, but glad to see you are posting often now.

this board was kinda slow this summer. We need to kick things back into gear on here !

[Dukester]

I'm starting to get excited. At least I feel like we have a shot of doing something special in football. This is the best chance we've had to contend for a major sport in a long time. I know there will be a good size crowd for the first game, especially the students. The weather has been great the last few days.

There's actually a lot of things to talk about basketball wise with all the new players we have coming in, but obviously there's a mountain for me to cross before I get there.

[Dukes84]

Dukester -

I share your optimism, despite what amounts to be one of the toughest 1-AA schedules in the nation. The football team should be very competitive. How they do will depend on injuries and turnovers to a large extent. Of course, execution and how the team copes with the serious injury sustained by Clayton Matthews will also be extremely important. In any event, it should be interesting to follow.

With respect to the basketball team, I'm also optimistic. I've thought that since they inked their heralded recruiting class, in conjunction with some of the other incoming and returning players, that they would be competitive team in a league that's largely in a rebuilding mode (the only team that seems to have much of anything is George Mason, whom JMU beat twice in down seasons for both teams; VCU is also decent). Most people on this board don't feel that way about them, obviously. I have heard good feedback, though, about the team from reliable sources. Again, injuries will play a big role as to whether the team can reach its potential.

[dukaholic]

Football - playoffs or bust. Those horses can really run the ball, Banks and Fenner, and as freshman they will be improvements over Rondell Bradley. Our receiving corps should be really solid as well, with some more speed this year (Boxley, Bransford, Mosby??? Lezotte???). The defense should be....terrific, I hope.

Basketball - still haven't seen the new guys play pickup, but I have a class with DB and CW, so I'll have to see when they're running and check them out. DB's told me to be excited for this year, as we should have a very different and more "fan-friendly" style of play. Not to knock Kenny and Ian and the boys, but these guys should be ready to run. Still don't see us winning more than 14 games or so, but at least we'll be more fun to watch. I do think DB will finally start showing some consistency, and be first or second team all-CAA.

[Dukester]

We'll just have to wait and see about basketball. There's alot of new players I'm anxious to see. We "might/could" have some pretty good players.

As far as the up tempo game......I'm afriad that reminds me of the first year Sherman took over for Lefty. He said he was going to bring in a more up tempo style of play. Alot of 30 point losses occurred that year. Also it would be difficult to run too much with our point gaurd situation. While Chris is not too bad in transition, he has not exactly had the quickness, mobility, or heath to be too effective in the up tempo game.

[capn kitt]

"As I said last year"...I think we are 1 year away from making it to the playoffs. I hate saying that because you never know what next year will bring...transfers? season-ending injuries? Hopefully the younger players are not saying that.
I also hate to say it because I'll probably be overseas next year.

However, I think we can challenge for a playoff spot, and the later into the season we can do that the better...for the program, for these players, for Mickey, and for the fans' interest.

If we could make it though Homecoming at 4-2 I'd be ecstatic, but even 3-3 would be great for this team.