GETTING INSIDE
Duquesne thinks it is a legitimate dark horse contender for the Atlantic 10 title this season, with junior forward Damian Saunders looking like a candidate for the conference’s Player of the Year award.
Saunders is averaging 13.9 points, 13.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots per game.
Furthermore, Saunders leads the nation with 10 double-doubles. That is the most by a Duquesne player since Derrick Alston had 12 in 1992-93.
However, Saunders is not the only reason Duquesne is off to a 9-4 start, as three other starters are scoring in double figures.
Junior guard Bill Clark is averaging 15.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, sophomore guard B.J. Monteiro has averages of 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds, and sophomore guard Eric Evans is averaging 10.5 points and 3.8 assists.
Duquesne has been winning without sophomore guard Melquan Bolding, who has not played since suffering a broken wrist on opening night. He scored 25 points in 36 minutes in that 85-62 victory over Nicholls State on Nov. 13.
Bolding has yet to have the soft cast removed from his wrist. While he hopes to being ready for Duquesne’s conference opener on Jan. 6 against Richmond, he more likely won’t return until later in the month.
A more realistic target date might be Jan. 13 for the game against St. Louis.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Duquesne shot a season-high 57.4 percent from the field in an 86-56 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 21, making 31-of-54 shots. The Dukes set a season high for points and tied season highs for three-point shooting (40 percent), assists (20) and bench points (19).
• Duquesne has played three overtime games this season, one short of the school record set in 1993-94. The Dukes also have played two double-overtime games in the same season for the first time since 1938-39.
January At A Glance: Duquesne wants to become a more efficient offensive team by the time conference play starts. The Dukes have plenty of offensive weapons but have struggled with turnovers, outside shooting and free throw shooting. If Duquesne can begin scoring consistently, continue to rebound and play outstanding defense, it has a chance to win a significant number of games in the Atlantic 10.
Quote To Note: “I’m going to my brother-in-law’s farm in West Virginia and I’m taking my little boy deer hunting.”—Coach Ron Everhart on what he would do during part of Duquesne’s break of eight days between defeating St. Francis (Pa.) 86-56 on Dec. 22 and visiting Old Dominion on Dec. 30, the Dukes’ longest span of off days this season.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Despite losing sophomore guard Melquan Bolding, who appeared poised for a breakout season, with a broken wrist in the opener, Duquesne has held its own. The Dukes haven’t shown the offensive firepower of recent seasons, but have three solid scorers—guards Bill Clark, B.J. Monteiro and Eric Evans—while playing improved defense.
Player Rotation: Usual starters—F Damian Saunders, G Eric Evans, G Bill Clark, G B.J. Monteiro, G Jason Duty. Key subs—G Sean Johnson, G Chase Robinson, F Rodrigo Peggau,
Game Review:
Duquesne 86, Canisius 77
Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis 73, Duquesne 64
Duquesne 86, St. Francis (Pa.) 56
Game Preview:
at Old Dominion, Wednesday, Dec. 30
vs. Richmond, Wednesday, Jan. 6
at Dayton, Saturday, Jan. 9
vs. St. Louis, Wednesday, Jan. 13
at Rhode Island, Wednesday, Jan. 20
In Foucs: Duquesne will get a stern test in its final non-conference game with the visit to Old Dominion. The Dukes were crushed by the Monarchs at home last season, 86-60, and probably won’t take them lightly this time around after having eight days to prepare.
Roster Report:
• F Damian Saunders has 10 double-doubles this season. That is the most by a Duquesne player since Derrick Alston had 12 in 1992-93. All 17 of Saunders’ double-doubles have come in the junior’s last 44 games.
• G Eric Evans is developing into a scoring threat. He had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in an 86-56 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 22, which came three days after the sophomore scored a career-high 20 points in a 73-64 loss at Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis. Evans has scored in double figures in three consecutive games after reaching that plateau in only three of the first 10 games this season.
• G Chase Robinson’s playing time has increased significantly in recent games as the sophomore played a season-high 13 minutes off the bench against Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis and then nine against St. Francis. Prior to those two games, he had logged a total of five minutes all season.
