Oct. 15, 2010
What They're Saying About the 2010-11 Dukes ...
PLEASE NOTE: Dukes Fanfest information listed below
Duquesne, which has put together three consecutive non-losing seasons under fifth-year head coach Ron Everhart, will be looking to make a third consecutive postseason appearance in 2010-11 - something that hasn't occurred on the Bluff since 1968-71.
Last year, the Dukes, who were coming off a 21-13 NIT season, looked to be turning it around with four wins in five games in mid-February only to drop four of their last five and finish 16-16.
"I don't think we finished games as well as we wanted to," says Everhart of last year's struggles. "We didn't' shoot the 3-pointer as effectively as we have in the past and our free throw shooting wasn't what it needed to be. Put all of those factors together and it made it difficult to win close basketball games which we were able to do the year before.
"We have to be more efficient from the perimeter to extend defenses. We were not able to do that last season and it caught up with us."
The Dukes return four double-digit scoring starters from last year's CBI team, including 1,000-point club members Damian Saunders (1,120) and Bill Clark (1,108).
Clark and Saunders - who are bidding to become the first four-year DU players since 1975 to not experience a losing season - have played a major role in the renaissance of Duquesne basketball.
Saunders, the reigning A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 15.0 points and 11.3 rebounds to go along with 94 blocks and a school record 89 steals last season. The 6-7 stat-sheet stuffer became the first player in A-10 history to post 350 rebounds and more than 50 assists, steals and blocks in earning first team All-A-10 honors last season. Saunders, who ranked among the NCAAs Top 15 in steals (2nd), rebounds (t6th), blocks (13th) and double-doubles (t6th) in 2009-10, enters his senior season with more career assists (203), blocks (216) and steals (205) than turnovers (197).
"Damian has such a high motor and plays so hard that he has the ability to make plays even when there aren't a lot of opportunities," says Everhart. "Its his ability as a shot blocker, defender and rebounder that makes him so valuable. He can - and has - guarded everyone from a point guard late in a game to a center and been effective in both situations."
Clark (14.1, 6.0, 46 3-pointers), a 6-5 swingman, ranks fourth on DU's all-time list with 152 3-pointers made.
"I'm looking for Bill to take on more of a leadership role," says Everhart. "He is a fierce competitor who is still maturing. I'm looking for him to make the most of his final season."
Juniors 5-11 point guard Eric Evans (10.0 ppg., 121 assists) and 6-5 forward B.J. Monteiro (11.1 ppg.) are the other returning starters. Evans, whose 121 assists last season were the third-most by a DU sophomore, needs 345 points to join Saunders and Clark in the 1,000-point club.
"Last year Eric had to shoulder the burden of running a college basketball team for the first time and he became a better player because of it," says Everhart. "There is a fine line between being efficient and being a shot taker and Eric began to understand that in the second half of last season."
Monteiro led the team in scoring six times in his first season as a starter.
"B.J. blossomed last year and has followed that with a great offseason," says Everhart. "He is one of three or four guys who will be highly depended on this season. He is one of our better passers and also has that ability to finish around the rim. If he can improve his free throw shooting he can really help us."
DU's all freshman recruiting class will be looked upon to contribute immediately.
"I'm excited about the three freshman guards we have coming in. I think they will help us immensely," says Everhart. "All three have playmaking ability which will give us a whole different look. I look for us to get back to ripping and running like we have in the past."
The incoming guards Everhart is referring to are high-scoring point guards 6-0 T.J. McConnell (34.2, 8.2) and 5-10 Mike Talley (31.2 3.2) along with 6-4 swingman Jerry Jones (18.1, 6.2, 4.8a). McConnell and Talley, who are both sons of highly successful high school coaches, averaged over eight assists per game.
"I look for T.J. to be a really effective player for us," says Everhart of the Pittsburgh native who made a run at MVP of this year's Pittsburgh Pro-Am Summer League. "I don't think a lot of people are able to appreciate how good he really is until they have the chance to watch him.
"Mike is as good as anyone in the open floor. He has the ability to push the ball and keep pressure on the defense and Jerry is one of those guys who flew under the radar, but at 6-4 he also has point guard skills and the ability to guard four positions. The addition of all three has me feeling really good about our backcourt."
Rounding out the class are 6-9 forward/center Derrick Martin (14.0, 15.0, 7.0b) and August commit 6-6 forward Joel Wright (23.0, 17.0).
Wright, who comes to Duquesne with the colorful nickname of "Air Jamaica," signed a financial aid agreement in mid-August.
"Joel is very talented, very mature and a hard worker as well," says Everhart of Wright who moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. from his native Kingston, Jamaica when he was in middle school. "I think Duquesne is a great fit for Joel and Joel is a great fit for Duquesne."
Martin, who is awaiting word from the NCAA regarding his initial eligibility status, will not be permitted to practice until a decision is rendered.
"Derrick was a very productive player on a very good team," says Everhart. "I'm really high on his ability to run the floor and block shots. He can also step out and shoot the 3-pointer. Players who can do that are a rare find. I expect him to impact us positively."
Sophomores guard Sean Johnson (5.6 ppg. in 30 g.), 6-6 forward Andre Marhold (0.8 ppg. in 18 g.) and 6-8 forward Rodrigo Peggau (1.3 ppg. in 28 g.) and senior David Theis (41 career games) will provide experienced depth in 2010-11.
"Rodrigo Peggau and Andre Marhold have the ability to take on more prominent roles," says Everhart of the frontcourt returnees. "They both have the ability to run, screen and rebound and contribute at a higher level. This year will provide them with the opportunity they've been looking for. Andre may be the hardest working guy I've ever coached. Rodrigo has also put in a lot of time in the weight room over the summer."
Johnson provided valuable minutes in 30 games as a true freshman last season.
"I also look for Sean to use the experience he's gained to help him continue to improve," says Everhart. "Sean was one of our better defenders last season. He's one of those guys whose not afraid to get dirty."
Theis, who was sidelined for six weeks this summer with a broken bone in his right hand, suffered an ankle injury on September 27 that will keep him off the floor for 6-8 additional weeks. Theis brings 41 games of experience into his senior season.
A record 1,050 season tickets have been sold for the 2010-11 season which tips off at home on Saturday, Nov. 13 against Bluefield State.
DU's first exhibition game is scheduled for Saturday, October 30 against La Roche at 7:00 p.m.
Duquesne men's practices are closed.
DUKES FANFEST
Fans will be able to get their first glimpse of the 2010-11 men's and women's teams at Dukes Fanfest on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the newly renovated A.J. Palumbo Center. It will be a chance to:
• Meet 2010-2011 both the men's and women's basketball teams and coaching staffs
• Check out the exciting new video board and the upgraded Palumbo Center seating
• Watch men's and women's teams first intersquad scrimmage of the season
• Purchase individual tickets for games at both the CONSOL Energy Center and the Palumbo Center
• Season and Group tickets may be purchased now by calling 412.232.DUKE or visiting goduquesne.com
