2016-17 Prospectus

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne, coming off a 17-win season that included the program's first postseason appearance since 2011, enters the fifth year of the Jim Ferry Era as a team of opportunity.

Gone is the highly-productive starting backcourt of Derrick Colter (17.9, 156 assists) and Micah Mason (18.4, 118 3-pointers) in addition to graduate transfer forward L.G. Gill (10.1, 6.5). Back is a group of six returning lettermen - including two starters - who will pair with seven newcomers to form the nucleus of the 2016-17 Dukes.

"I really believe this could be a team that goes ten deep without a significant drop-off when we go to the bench," says Ferry of his 2016-17 roster. "The challenge for us is to find the pieces that fit together best. This is the most depth we've had since I've been here."

The changing landscape of college basketball caused Ferry to be a little more creative in assembling this year's roster, as for the first time in school history the Dukes will have graduate transfers in the form of guard Emile Blackman (Niagara) and forward Kale Abrahamson (Northwestern/Drake).

"I'm not a fan of the graduate transfer rule," says Ferry. "I don't think the intent of the rule is what is actually occurring. You invest in a kid's development - you recruit them, you develop them, you mentor them ... you get them to be as good as they can be and then they graduate and go play their last year somewhere else. I think it is unhealthy for our game."

"That being said, you have to be aware of what is out there and be actively involved. We were able to fill some needs with the addition of Emile and Kale."

The 6-3 Blackman scored 913 points in his two seasons at Niagara. The New York native scored in double digits 28 times in averaging 15.8 points per game in 2015-16.

Abrahamson, 6-8, has played in 95 games in a career that began at Northwestern and continued with a season last year at Drake where he averaged 11.1 points per game.

Blackman and Abrahamson have combined for 17 career 20-point games, Duquesne's returnees have combined for one.

Last year, the Dukes relied heavily on the 3-point shooting of Mason and Colter for the majority of the team's offense. Although the 3-point shot will still be an integral part of Duquesne's game, Ferry expects to have a more balanced attack in 2016-17.

"Micah's and D.C.'s games revolved around the three, which led to our high volume last season," says Ferry. "We're always going push it up the floor, move the ball and look for the 3-pointer, but this year we may have more scoring options. We'll be a little different offensively and we'll take a little more time to jell than we have in the past just because of all the new pieces we'll have working together."

Among those new pieces is first-year Nebraska transfer Tarin Smith. Smith, who played in 31 games as a freshman for the Cornhuskers in 2014-15 (4.5, 1.6), practiced with the team last season. He is expected to help ease the loss of Colter, who scored 1,695 points while starting all 125 games of his Duquesne career.

"Tarin has the kind of athleticism and explosiveness that people will see right away," says Ferry. "He can do a lot of different things, from attacking in the open court to creating shots for himself and others. He's become a significantly better 3-point shooter while sitting out.

"I also think he has some leadership qualities that will emerge."

Finding a replacement for Mason, a third team A-10 pick who finished his career as the sixth-best 3-point shooter in NCAA history, is likely to come from a pool of players.

In addition to Blackman (15.8, 3.5), Ferry will have junior Rene Castro (2.6, 0.6) and sophomore Josh Steel (2.2, 0.8) back.

"The biggest key will be who emerges at the two spot," says Ferry. "I think we're fine at the other positions. Emile could easily start and Josh and Rene have developed and gotten better and will compete at that spot as well."

"You don't replace D.C. and Micah with just two people," said Ferry of the duo that combined for 1,217 points last season. "The guards we'll play will definitely be different, but I think we have more of them and we have some depth."

Blackman, who is expected to provide much-needed scoring punch, reached double digits in 28 of 32 games last season at Niagara. The nephew of former NBA player and coach Mark Jackson is athletic enough to have had two of his dunks selected as one of ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.

"Emile is an explosive wing who can play at the two or the three," says Ferry. "He's a tough, competitive kid with a scorer's mentality."

The 6-4 Steel, a native of Harlow, England, showed a glimpse of his potential by converting 15 of his 29 3-point attempts (.517) last season.

"Josh had to make a big adjustment coming from England and getting used to the college game," says Ferry. "He hit a bit of a wall at mid-season, which is to be expected, but I think he gained an understanding of what the Atlantic 10 is all about. As a 6-4 combo guard with proven shooting ability, he is going to provide us with depth at the guard position."

Castro played in 17 games in his first season after transferring from Butler.

"Rene was pretty much coming off the equivalent of two seasons without live competition and that's hard to recover from," says Ferry. "He's worked hard at getting into better physical shape over the summer and I think he has recommitted himself and is focused going into his junior year."

Ferry does welcome the added size Duquesne will have in the backcourt.

"We should be a significantly better defensive team mainly because of our length and athleticism," says Ferry. "We're going to have a more ‘Atlantic 10-sized' backcourt. Tarin and Rene are 6-2, Emile is 6-3 and Josh is 6-4 - all have good size. Our freshmen, Spencer Littleson and Mike Lewis, are 6-4 and 6-1. I think we'll have good depth at the guard spots, whereas last year we didn't have that behind Micah and DC."

The frontcourt will be anchored by returning starters senior Darius Lewis (6.3, 5-8) and junior Eric James (9.1, 5.2). The 6-11 Lewis, who has two seasons as a starter under his belt, has emerged as a solid rim protector, leading the Dukes with 44 blocks last season.

"Darius is one of the main reasons we were able to finish among the top three in the A-10 in defensive field goal percentage," says Ferry. "He has totally changed his body, which has allowed him to move better laterally. That, in turn, has really helped us on the defensive end."

Ferry is looking for more offensive production from the 250-pounder who averaged 6.3 points per game last season.

"If we can get him to become more consistent offensively, you are going to see a major change in the way we can play and see his impact on the game."

The 6-6 James emerged as one of the Dukes' most-improved players last season, when he was thrust into the starting lineup following a late-December season-ending injury to Jeremiah Jones.

"We have great expectations for Eric," says Ferry. "He has really started to blossom. His body is maturing - he's grown an inch since last year - he's athletic and fast and has worked hard on improving his shot. He really fits with the way we want to play. He had a fantastic sophomore year for his growth and development. We're expecting for him to take off from that point now."

The 6-8 Abrahamson, a .345 career 3-point shooter, will help ease the loss of Gill. Abrahamson scored in double digits 15 times last season, including a 41-point outburst against Western Kentucky at the Gulf Coast Showcase.

"Kale is another more experienced player, who we were able to see in person last season when Drake was in the Gulf Coast Showcase with us," says Ferry. "His shooting ability can help spread the floor and create problems for teams defensively."

Ferry is looking at junior 6-8, 245-pound Jordan Robinson (3.4, 2.5) and 6-8, 225-pound sophomore Nakye Sanders (1.9, 2.9) to provide meaningful depth in the frontcourt.

Robinson played his best basketball late in the season, highlighted by a career-high, 17-point outburst in DU's CBI first round win over Omaha.

"Now is his time," says Ferry of the Canadian center. "We are looking for Jordan, along with Darius and Nakye, to hold down the five spot. Jordan is another one who has changed his body and gotten into much better shape. He is starting to come into his own with his confidence and how he plays. His defensive game is starting to catch up with his offensive game, and that is what had been holding him back. We're hoping to use him a lot more."

Sanders was one of DU's most effective rebounders in 30 games as a true freshman last season. "If Nakye can clean up his fouling, he can have a major presence in this league," says Ferry. "He's so physical and plays so hard. He's a tenacious offensive and defensive rebounder and improved as a shot blocker. You have to remember, he's still really young - he didn't turn 18 until last November. Now that he has that year of experience, he is really going to help us move forward as we solidify the frontcourt."

Four freshmen - two guards and two forwards - will make their debut this season.

"We have really upgraded our talent level with this recruiting class," says Ferry. "They all have potential not only to contribute this year, but also to be very good Atlantic 10 players."

Six-one Mike Lewis II was the starting point guard for a seventh-ranked (USA Today) St. Louis Chaminade team that sent four players to the NCAA Division I ranks including ESPN No. 3 national recruit Jayson Tatum (Duke). Lewis averaged 9.9 points per game for the Red Devils.

"Mike is a quick, explosive combo guard who can shoot, drive and finish," says Ferry. "He really is tailor-made for our style of play."

Six-four Spencer Littleson averaged 25.1 points per game in finishing third in the voting for Michigan Mr. Basketball. Littleson teamed with ESPN.com's No. 2 rated national recruit Josh Jackson (Kansas) on his 1 Nation AAU team.

"Spencer can shoot, pass and dribble," says Ferry. "He has the ability and work ethic to be a very good shooter at the college level."

Isiaha Mike, 6-8, was ranked as the third-best 2016 prospect in Canada by North Pole Hoops behind Thon Maker - the 10th overall pick in June's NBA Draft and Maryland recruit Justin Jackson.

"Isiaha is a versatile, 6-8 forward with a good motor who can drive it and shoot," says Ferry. "I love the way he competes and I think he has a great future with us."

The Dukes have also added 6-5, 220-pound freshman football/basketball player Kellon Taylor, who plans to continue playing both sports at Duquesne. Taylor, who started at forward for DeMatha Catholic's No. 13 ranked (USA Today) basketball team, fielded football-only offers from both Boston College and Virginia Tech before deciding to pursue both sports at the collegiate level.

"Kellon is really in a unique situation as a two-sport athlete," says Ferry. "He's a wide-bodied guy who can't be defined by a single position on the court. He can handle the ball, he's tough, plays with aggressiveness and has great leadership qualities. There will be a bit of transition for him as he comes off the football field, but if anyone has the ability to thrive in both sports, its Kellon."

Games at Kentucky, vs. Pitt at CONSOL Energy Center and at Penn State highlight a non-conference schedule that features a school-record eight games in the month of November.

"We're going to be challenged right out of the gate," says Ferry, which is something we'll have to prepare for."

In addition to the three "Power 5" schools, the Dukes will also host a pair of 20-win teams in UT Martin and Jackson State. Canisius, Central Connecticut, Cleveland State, Colgate, Loyola, Md., Robert Morris, Saint Francis U and UMBC round out the non-conference slate.

2016-17 QUICK HITS
• Duquesne returns two starters - 6-11 Sr. C Darius Lewis (6.3, 5.8, 44 blocks) and 6-6 Jr. F Eric James (9.1, 5.2) from last year's 17-17 (6-12, T10th in Atlantic 10) CBI second round team.

• DU's four other scholarship returnees include: 6-2 Jr. G Rene Castro (2.6, 0.6 in 17 games), 6-8 Jr. C Jordan Robinson (3.4, 2.5 in 23 games), 6-8 So. F Nakye Sanders (1.9, 2.9 in 30 games) and 6-4 So. G Josh Steel (2.2, 0.8 in 29 games).

• The Dukes will look toward seven newcomers to help replace 71.5 percent of the scoring, 64.9 percent of the minutes and 77.4 percent of the team's assists gone from last year's team.

• One transfer who practiced with the team while sitting out last season is eligible in 2016-17: 6-2 So. G Tarin Smith (Nebraska).

• Duquesne added the first two graduate transfers in program history in 6-3 guard Emile Blackman (15.8, 3.5 last season at Niagara) and 6-8 forward Kale Abrahamson (11.1, 3.9 last season at Drake). Blackman and Abrahamson bring a total of 1,532 points in 157 combined games played to the DU roster.

• Blackman and Abrahamson have more total career points (1,532), minutes (3,886) and starts (114) than DU's returning players have combined (1,123 points in 3,528 minutes with 81 starts).

• The Dukes added a four-man recruiting class in 6-1 Fr. G Mike Lewis II (St. Louis, Mo.), 6-4 Fr. G Spencer Littleson (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and 6-8 Fr. F Isiaha Mike (Scarborough, Ontario). DU also added two-sport standout (football/basketball) 6-5 Fr. F Kellon Taylor (Landover, Md.) who is on scholarship as a receiver for the football team.

• DU's five home-and-home Atlantic 10 opponents have one change from last season with Fordham replacing Davidson. The Dukes will face the Rams along with Dayton, George Washington, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis twice as part of the 18-game Atlantic 10 schedule.

• Duquesne will face one Southeastern Conference school (at Kentucky), one Big Ten school (at Penn State) and one Atlantic Coast Conference school (vs. Pitt) in non-conference play. The annual Pitt game will once again be played at CONSOL Energy Center.