Cincinnati (OH) – Duquesne Dukes Preview

Previous Record (Conf)
21-13 (9-7)

Key Non-Conference Games
Pittsburgh (2 Dec), at West Virginia (9 Dec), at Old Dominion (30 Dec)

Projected Conference Record (Finish)
10-6 (6th)

Conference Home-and-Home Partners
Dayton, St Louis, St Bonaventure

Outlook
The Dukes will be young, talented and experienced at least in the starting lineup. Head coach Ron Everhart will need to replace the best player in the A10 last season in point guard Aaron Jackson. The center position will also be up for grabs, but spots 2-4 will be as talented as any team in the league.

Jason Duty (6-1 180) is the team’s best three-point shooter (.414) and only senior. Damian Saunders (6-7 210), Melquan Bolding (6-3 195) and Bill Clark (6-5 205) are tough, versatile and talented. They can score in a variety of ways, are all competent three-point threats and go to the glass hard. Better decision making and a commitment to defense by Bolding and Clark will vault the Dukes into a top four finish.

Sophomore Eric Evans takes over the reigns for Jackson at the point. With the talent the Dukes have on the wing, Everhart just needs steady not spectacular play from Evans. Sophomores Morakinyo Williams (7-0 270) and Oliver Lewinson (6-9 250) should provide size and depth in the paint.

With only four upper-classmen the Dukes have to prove they can win on the road, but should be almost unbeatable at home. Last season the Dukes showed they could trade baskets with any team in the league, but this year they will only go as far as their defense. They have to prove they can get stops or turnovers at key junctures in close games against good teams.

Everhart has to figure out a way to gain an advantage in possessions to exploit the Dukes high-powered offense. Last season they turned the opposition over two more times a game than they gave it away, but gave that advantage right back on the glass where they were -2.4 in rebounding margin. The difference in the Dukes’ scoring efficiency and their opponents was negligible. The answer is better defense and rebounding, but the question is where will they find it?

Spotlight On
Junior forward Damian Saunders stuffs a box score like few players in the A10. He was honorable mention on the All-League team last year, but a dark horse POY candidate this season. He shot almost 55% from the floor, 34% from behind the arc led the A10 in steals (71), was third in blocked shots (83) and fourth in rebounding.

Best Case Scenario
Saunders plays consistently enough to merit POY consideration. Bolding and Evans play like upper-classmen showing the poise and playmaking ability to win on the road. Everhart is able to mix-and-match minutes with the rest of the under-classmen to provide quality minutes behind the starting five. The Dukes prove they can defend and rebound as well as trade baskets with any team in the league and earn an automatic trip to Atlantic City.

Worst Case Scenario
Everhart can’t find consistent production behind his starting five, and is forced to play them more minutes than he wants. The defense suffers as a result and the Dukes find themselves on the wrong end of too many shootouts. As explosive and efficient as their offense is, they still give the other team too many possessions by not controlling the glass or taking care of the basketball.