Robert Morris vs Duquesne Preview
From LoudaGuru
Robert Morris University makes a short trip from Moon Township, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh into the heart of the Steel City to face the Dukes of Duquesne at 7 pm on Friday, December 28, 2007. The Colonials, a member of the Northeast Conference, have a record of 8-4, and have played mid-majors Drexel, Navy and Seton Hall from the Big East.
RMU is coming off a 91-73 home victory over Canisius, a win which helped the Colonials avoid a three game home losing streak. In the Canisius game, RMU attempted a school record 34 three pointers while shooting 47.1 percent from beyond the arc. The game coming up with Duquesne could be a high scoring affair.
Duquesne has gotten off to a 7-3 record, including a close game against neighboring school and Top 20 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. Under Coach Ron Everheart, the Dukes look to continue a turnaround in their program. Everheart took over a team that had a 3-24 record in the 2005-2006 season. He then had to deal with having five of his players injured in a shooting less than a month before practice opened in 2006. Three of those players are back in the lineup this season and making significant contributions. The plea bargaining proceedings have spilled into the early part of this season, however the team has made great strides to not allow the distractions to hamper their non-conference schedule.
The Dukes are led by double-figure scorers Shawn James, 14.1 ppg, Kojo Mensah, 13.9 ppg, and Kieron Achara, 12.5 ppg. James and Mensah were two of the five victims in last year’s shooting and have recovered to lead this high scoring team which averages 88.1 ppg. James also leads the team in blocked shots and rebounds.
The Dukes lead the A10 with 42.3 rpg and play a fast-paced offensive game. This was style that Everheart put in place last season and has improved on it this season by stepping up the team’s assists. The team, built on a siginificant number of transfer student atheletes, has bought into the system of many players getting minutes and sharing the ball.
The Dukes have also improved their rebounding and defense, especially in the area of blocked shots and steals, where the team leads the A10 in both categories. Duquesne depends on its defense to fuel its high-scoring attack. As the league schedule begins, defense becomes a priority as opponents take away scoring options with scouting reports.
At half-time of this Friday’s game, the Duquesne University Department of Athletics is going to honor the 1976-1977 NCAA Tournament team. The Dukes will wear throwback jerseys throughout this season.
Tags: Aaron Jackson, Atlantic 10, basketball, Canisius, Colonials, Dukes, Duquesne, Kojo Mensah, Robert Morris, Ron Everheart, Shawn James