Jan. 24, 2011
PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne men's basketball team, in the midst of the school's longest win streak in 39 years, has received a vote in this week's Associated Press poll. Research could not determine the last time a Dukes men's team has been among those receiving votes in the poll that dates back to 1949.
The last time Duquesne appeared in the poll was on Feb. 8, 1972 at No. 20 with a 15-2 record. DU, which reached the top of the poll in 1954, has appeared in the final poll seven times - the last coming in 1971.
The Dukes (13-5, 5-0), who upped their win streak to eight with an Atlantic 10 Conference win over Charlotte on Saturday, are off to their best league start in school history at 5-0.
Duquesne, which has never won six consecutive conference games - or three straight conference road games - will attempt to accomplish both milestones on Wednesday at Fordham (6-11, 0-5). The Dukes will also be trying to go 14-5 for the first time since 1979-80. This is the second time fifth-year coach Ron Everhart has led the Dukes to a 13-5 start, the last coming in 2007-08.
DUQUESNE QUICK NOTES
• Has won eight in a row for the first time since 1971-72.
• First 5-0 conference start in school history (begin the week tied for first in the Atlantic 10 with Xavier).
• Has won five consecutive conference games for the third time in school history (1980-81 & 2006-07 are the others). No Duquesne team has ever won six-straight conference games.
• Is 7-0 in the month of January for the first time since 1971.
• All 13 wins have been by double-digit margins.
• Have held at least a seven-point lead at some point in every game this season.
• Five road wins are tied for the most in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
• Is starting a true freshman backcourt of T.J. McConnell & Mike Talley, both of whom are sons of highly-successful high school coaches. McConnell, a Pittsburgh native, was named A-10 Rookie of the Week for the fourth time on Monday.
• Begin the week ranked in the NCAA Top 25 in six categories: turnover margin (1st), assists (2nd), scoring (14th), blocks (18th), scoring margin (18th) and assist/turnover ratio (20th).
