STF Fan Rant: The Dukes are Back

This week's fan rant comes from STF reader The Duke from Dukes' Court, who runs the excellent team-specific site called, naturally, Dukes Court. A look at his site will tell you right away that he knows the past and present of the Duquesne Dukes inside and out, and now he is preparing for a bright future.


by The Duke from Dukes' Court

After years of disgraceful performances the Duquesne Dukes are back and a threat to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades.

To really understand how significant the Dukes 11-4 start is we need to look back into the past.

* Two years ago the Dukes won a total of 3 games in Danny Nee's last season with the program.
Dukes fans saw this befuddled look on Danny Nee’s face too often during his 4 years with the program. A 29% winning percentage will do that.

* Last season the Duquesne program was rocked when 4 of Duquesne's players were shot on campus after a school dance.
* Ron Everhart's star recruit an All American JC transfer Stuard Baldanodo was shot in the back, he subsequently sued Duquesne, and then was suspended by the school for several off campus scrapes with the law. Baldanodo has left Duquesne and is now playing pro basketball for the Miami Tropics.



* Duquesne won 10 games last season and Robert Mitchell was named A10 rookie of the year. Mitchell then had a falling out with Coach Everhart and transferred to Seton Hall.
* Duquesne has not appeared in a post season tournament (NIT or NCAA) since 1994 when they went to the NIT.

That was the jumping off point for the 07-08 season for Duquesne.

* Duquesne opened the season 6-0, marking the first time since 1979-80 that a DU team began the season with six-straight wins. DU’s six-game win streak was its longest since the 1980-81 season.
* Duquesne’s 11-3 start was the best since the 1979-80 NIT team opened with a 12-3 record.
* Duquesne is now 11-4 on the season, their four loses have come against teams either in the AP Top 25 (#20 Pitt and #22 Rhode Island) or teams receiving votes for the AP Top 25 (WVU and Drake).
* Duquesne lost to Drake, Pitt and Rhode Island by a combined total of 11 points.
* Junior center Shawn James broke the Duquesne record for most shots blocked in a season in just 15 games. He has 64 blocks on the season.

Just 1 of Shawn James’ 64 blocked shots

In short, the Dukes have been a perennial doormat and now they are just an upset victory away from Top 25 consideration. Duquesne lost a heart breaker to Rhode Island on Sunday by two, but they now have four very winnable games in a row before they play UMass at home in what could be the biggest game of the season. Duquesne is already being listed in ESPN's Bubble Watch and is a legit threat to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1976-77 season.

Keep an eye on the Duquesne Dukes.

Thanks, Duke! Keep up the good work, and we'll be sure to watch the Dukes' rise.