Duquesne (9-9, 4-1) takes a three-game winning streak into another Atlantic 10 Conference matchup against visiting Dayton (12-6, 2-3) tonight. I'll be at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse for coverage of the 7 p.m. tip-off. Until then, here are some notes ahead of this one:
• It seems like the Dukes, winners of seven of their last eight games, have started to really come together as a team. The new guys have learned the tendencies of the returning guys, and vice versa. It's a group playing together as one. Leading to good outcomes.
• The point made in that first bullet is pretty evident considering the amount of production Duquesne has received from each of its starters, as well as its bench players. Nine different players have come off the bench to post a double-digit scoring performance this season. The Dukes, who had a 40-10 bench-point advantage against St. Bonaventure on Saturday, are 4-3 this season when compiling at least 30 points from their bench players. In their first five conference games, they are averaging 31.6 points per game from their bench. Everyone is contributing to the collective success on offense.
• At times, DavidDixon can be rather quiet on the scoresheet in terms of points. But talk about a guy who knows his role and finds a way to deliver in more ways than one on a game-to-game basis. That's particularly been the case over the course of Duquesne's five conference games, a stretch in which Dixon has averaged 9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
• The Flyers have three starters regularly scoring in double figures, while four of them are averaging more than 9.4 points per game. NateSantos, a 6-7 senior forward, has provided a team-high 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. EnochCheeks, a 6-3 senior guard who just scored a career-high 26 points in an overtime win over Loyola on Saturday, is second on the team in scoring at 13.2 PPG, while ranking first in rebounding at 6.8 RPG. MalachiSmith is a 6-0 junior guard who can score and facilitate. That's evident in his 11.3 points and 5.7 assists per game. JavonBennett, a 5-10 junior guard, has contributed 9.4 PPG this season.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
José Negron
12:01 pm - 01.21.2025DowntownDuquesne-Dayton preview
Duquesne (9-9, 4-1) takes a three-game winning streak into another Atlantic 10 Conference matchup against visiting Dayton (12-6, 2-3) tonight. I'll be at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse for coverage of the 7 p.m. tip-off. Until then, here are some notes ahead of this one:
• It seems like the Dukes, winners of seven of their last eight games, have started to really come together as a team. The new guys have learned the tendencies of the returning guys, and vice versa. It's a group playing together as one. Leading to good outcomes.
• The point made in that first bullet is pretty evident considering the amount of production Duquesne has received from each of its starters, as well as its bench players. Nine different players have come off the bench to post a double-digit scoring performance this season. The Dukes, who had a 40-10 bench-point advantage against St. Bonaventure on Saturday, are 4-3 this season when compiling at least 30 points from their bench players. In their first five conference games, they are averaging 31.6 points per game from their bench. Everyone is contributing to the collective success on offense.
• At times, David Dixon can be rather quiet on the scoresheet in terms of points. But talk about a guy who knows his role and finds a way to deliver in more ways than one on a game-to-game basis. That's particularly been the case over the course of Duquesne's five conference games, a stretch in which Dixon has averaged 9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
• The Flyers have three starters regularly scoring in double figures, while four of them are averaging more than 9.4 points per game. Nate Santos, a 6-7 senior forward, has provided a team-high 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Enoch Cheeks, a 6-3 senior guard who just scored a career-high 26 points in an overtime win over Loyola on Saturday, is second on the team in scoring at 13.2 PPG, while ranking first in rebounding at 6.8 RPG. Malachi Smith is a 6-0 junior guard who can score and facilitate. That's evident in his 11.3 points and 5.7 assists per game. Javon Bennett, a 5-10 junior guard, has contributed 9.4 PPG this season.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!