Sept. 13, 2002

A non-conference match-up at defending national champion Maryland and a season-opener at Pitt highlight the 2002-03 Duquesne University men's basketball schedule released today. In all, 12 of DU's 29 regular-season games will come against teams which made post-season appearances last year.

NCAA Tournament participant Xavier - as well as Maryland and Pitt - await second-year head coach Danny Nee and the 2002-03 Dukes. In addition, six schools which played in last year's NIT - Dayton, George Mason, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph's and Temple - dot this year's schedule.

The Dukes open the 2002-03 season at Pitt in the first game ever at the Panthers' new Petersen Events Center. The game marks the first time since the 1989-90 season that the city rivals will meet at an on-campus site. DU then begins the home season versus West Virginia (Nov. 25) and Cleveland State (Nov. 27) before embarking on a two-game road trip to Maryland (Nov. 30) and George Mason (Dec. 2).

Mount St. Mary's and Youngstown State come to the Palumbo Center on Dec. 7 & 18, before Duquesne takes to the road for a 10-day road trip to Puerto Rico and Miami for the San Juan Shootout (Dec. 20-22) and FIU New Year's Classic (Dec. 27-28). (Travel packages available for the tournaments -- click here)

DU closes out the calendar year with a New Year's Eve matchup with Maryland-Eastern Shore at 1:30 p.m. at the Palumbo Center.

In addition to the non-conference slate, Duquesne will face a 16-game Atlantic 10 schedule that includes a total of nine games against the six schools who made post-season appearances last season.

DU's Atlantic 10 season begins with a challenging stretch of seven games against the six league teams that made post-season appearances last year, beginning with a trip to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph's on Jan. 4. Temple, who tied Saint Joseph's for the A-10 East title last year, visits the Palumbo Center on Jan. 8.

The Dukes will then head to Dayton (Jan. 11), play Richmond at home (Jan. 18), travel to 2001-02 league champion Xavier (Jan. 21) and play St. Bonaventure at the Palumbo Center (Jan. 25) before completing the tough opening stretch at Richmond on Jan. 28.

The Dukes are scheduled for four appearances as part of the Atlantic 10 Television Network: Jan. 11 at Dayton, Jan. 18 vs. Richmond, Feb. 1 at George Washington and Feb. 8 vs. La Salle.

Season tickets for Duquesne home games may be purchased by calling 412-232-DUKE (3853). Individual game tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster at 412-323-1919.

NOTING THE 2002-03 DUQUESNE SCHEDULE

• Duquesne has 13 games at home, 11 on the road and 5 at a neutral sites.
• The Dukes will face nine schools that made post-season appearances last season. NCAA (3): Maryland (32-4), Pittsburgh (29-6) and Xavier (26-6). NIT (6): Dayton (21-11), George Mason (19-10), Richmond (22-14), St. Bonaventure (17-13), Saint Joseph's (19-12) and Temple (19-15).
• DU will play in back-to-back tournaments in December: the 8-team San Juan Shootout (Dec. 20-22) and the four-team FIU New Year's Classic (Dec. 27-28) hosted by Florida International at Miami.
• Duquesne's Atlantic 10 TV Network games include: Jan. 11 at Dayton, Jan. 18 vs. Richmond, Feb. 1 at George Washington and Feb. 8 vs. La Salle.
• The 71st meeting between Duquesne and Pittsburgh is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 23 at Pitt's new Petersen Events Center. This will be the first time the game will be played on campus since the 1989-90 season when the two met at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House.

ATLANTIC 10 ALIGNMENT

Duquesne plays the teams from the East Division once, and schools in the West Division two times (home-and-home).