Oct. 21, 2010
2010-11 Atlantic 10 Preseason Accolades
Duquesne, which returns four starters from last year's 16-16 College Basketball Invitational qualifying team, was picked to finish eighth in a poll of Atlantic 10 coaches and media released today as part of the league's annual media day at the CBS College Sports studios at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
It is the second-highest the Dukes have been picked in the preseason poll in five seasons under head coach Ron Everhart.
In addition, senior forward Damian Saunders (Waterbury, Conn./Notre Dame Prep), the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was named both preseason First Team All-Atlantic 10 and to the preseason All-Defensive Team. Saunders, a first team all A-10 pick in 2010, is bidding to join Bruce Atkins (1981 & 1982) as the only other player in school history to earn first team all-league honors twice. He is also attempting to become the fourth player in league history to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors two times.
Saunders averaged 15.0 points and 11.3 rebounds to go along with 94 blocks and a school record 89 steals last year. In the process, the 6-7 forward became the first player in A-10 history to post 350 rebounds and more than 50 assists, steals and blocks in a 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).
Duquesne, picked to finish tied for fifth in last year's preseason poll, finished tied for eighth at 7-9 before dropping a first round Atlantic 10 Championship game at St. Bonaventure. DU then accepted a bid to the CBI. Duquesne, which appeared in the 2009 NIT, is looking for its third-straight postseason bid - something that hasn't occurred on the Bluff since 1968-71.
Duquesne, which was picked to finish 13th in 2007 and 11th in 2008, exceeded expectations by finishing tied for tenth and tied for ninth in the respective seasons. Two years ago, the Dukes entered the season as one of the youngest teams in the nation before turning their No. 12 preseason pick into a tie for fifth finish.
Under the current format, the top four league finishers receive byes to the 2011 Atlantic 10 Championship at Atlantic City on March 11-13. The next four teams host first round games on March 8. Teams nine through 12 play opening round games on the road and teams 13 and 14 do not qualify for championship play.
Duquesne, which has gone 10-19, 17-13, 21-13 and 16-16 in its first four seasons under Everhart, will be looking to post the school's fourth consecutive non-losing season for the first time since 1967-68 through 1974-75.
The Dukes, who return five of their top six scorers, host exhibition games on Oct. 30 vs. La Roche (7:00 p.m.) and on Nov. 8 vs. Lycoming (7:00 p.m.) prior to opening the 2010-11 regular season at home against Bluefield State on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
2010-11 ATLANTIC 10 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(as selected by conference coaches and media - first place votes in parentheses, followed by total points)
1. Temple (19), 350
2. Xavier (3), 325
3. Richmond (3), 311
4. Dayton (1), 310
5. Rhode Island, 233
6. Saint Louis, 223
7. Charlotte, 218
8. DUQUESNE, 172
9. La Salle, 133
10. George Washington, 130
11. Massachusetts, 126
12. Saint Joseph's, 91
13. St. Bonaventure, 80
14. Fordham, 28
