*GUEST Opinion Piece* Duquesne University Men's Basketball

DISCLAIMER: Dukes Chat is again featuring a guest opinion piece. This piece regards the state of Duquesne University Men's Basketball as opined by a member of the Red and Blue Crew -- diehard Duquesne Men's Basketball fan Craig Mancia.
  Only under extreme circumstances will Dukes Chat ever censor someone's opinion on this Web log. Therefore, other than simple copy editing, this piece by Mr. Mancia will appear as is.
  *IT MUST BE NOTED THOUGH THAT DUKES CHAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH MANCIA'S OPINION.* The opinion is his, and it is much appreciated.
  If anyone else wishes to post a guest opinion piece on Dukes Chat, please contact healy971@hotmail.com.
  As always, feel free to comment on this story and read other people's comments by clicking on the "_ comments" link at the bottom of the post.

"Dukes Fever" - Craig Mancia

  The word is out. This is the year for the jump from average to great for Duquesne Men’s Basketball.
  It may just be the exciting play, the 10-40 format (closer to 12-40 this year) or the confidence that the coaches and players bring to the A.J. Palumbo Center. Or it might be something more.
  With the incoming freshmen class, Red and Blue Crew membership has skyrocketed to an astounding 700+ members this academic year. People are becoming excited. But it’s not only the freshmen and sophomores who are supporting Ron Everhart’s second version of the Dukes. The Red and Blue Crew have a large number of memberships from upperclassmen as well who have witnessed the bad and are ready for the good.
  Campus is buzzing with big games coming up against Pitt, WVU and the Atlantic Ten teams. There is talk of tailgates, posters, signs and followings of players and coaches. Bill Clark, for instance, has found his own cult following among the Red and Blue Crew, as a large section of members have signs, chants and cheers just for him.
  Other players have similar status on the team. It is well-known throughout the basketball community, both fans and players alike, of Gary Tucker’s ability to soar through the air. The sharp-shooting Jason Duty is a fan favorite among the Duquesne community. But it is the power that Shawn James and Kieron Achara bring to the court which pulls the largest cheers from the fans.
  This kind of excitement is carrying beyond the Palumbo Center. Students are proudly wearing red and blue around campus. Red and Blue Crew shirts are becoming popular attire, even on non-game days. The news of Duquesne Men’s Basketball is spreading. Pittsburgh knows it. The basketball community knows it. It’s now time for the rest of the nation to remember what Duquesne Basketball used to be and to know what it is becoming. This year is quickly turning out to be a great season for Dukes Men’s Basketball. The team already has half of the wins that it did last year and has renewed a confidence from the campus community.
  As an NCAA Division I program, Duquesne will always be grouped with the great powerhouses of our time, such as Duke and North Carolina. Over the past 10 years or so, however, the rise of the “mid-major” teams has begun to change the way that NCAA Basketball is played. A number of shocking upsets in major tournament play has brought new light on smaller schools which provide playing time for great players. After a decline in recruits, talent and support plagued the Dukes in the past, the addition of Ron Everhart and his relentless recruiting tactics have brought Duquesne back to being a respectable program. As of November 28, the Dukes are 5-0 with a tough schedule to come. The fans are ready for the excitement to continue.
  So bring it on Pitt. WVU, you can bring it too. A-10, we’ll be waiting, just like students, faculty and alumni have all been waiting for this transformation to occur.
  Now that the transformation has arrived, Duquesne will unite and see the success of a once great program be restored to its rightful place in the Division I standings... as a force to be respected and feared.

(Image: Craig Mancia, Copyright Duquesne University)

*OPINION PIECE* No. 8 Greatest Coach in Duquesne Athletics History

Father Eugene McGuigan, Baseball, Men's Basketball, Football - Father McGuigan simply must be included in any countdown concerning the pivotal coaches of Duquesne University Athletics' history.
  Although "Coach Gene Martin" (as he often went by to mask his double-life as a priest and athletics coach) had his greatest accomplishments at the helm of Duquesne Men's Basketball, Father Mac has been credited as being a baseball and football coach on the Bluff as well. That resume and more led to him being named as Duquesne's first athletic director in 1920.
  McGuigan officially coached Duquesne Men's Basketball for eight seasons (1914-15 to 1920 and 1921-22 to 1922-23) and compiled a 66-35 record -- good for a .654 winning percentage.

(Image: Duquesne University Old Main Building, Copyright Duquesne University)

Recommended Reading

Pittsburgh Sports Report Duquesne Men's Basketball Article

*OPINION PIECE* No. 9 Greatest Coach in Duquesne Athletics History

Clipper Smith, Football - John "Clipper" Smith only coached the Duquesne University Football team for three seasons (1936-38), compiling a rather ordinary 18-12 record. Yet, this countdown would be incomplete without him.
  Duquesne's Jan. 1, 1937, Orange Bowl victory under Smith still ranks as one of the greatest moments in Duquesne Athletics history and is easily Duquesne Football's greatest accomplishment.
  If Smith had coached the Dukes longer, he may have ranked higher on this list. But No. 9 is the least that Dukes Chat can do for Coach Clipper.
  In an interesting side note, Smith, like another former Duquesne Football head coach -- Elmer Layden, also played football at the University of Notre Dame.

(Image: Clipper Smith, Copyright National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc.)

Upcoming Guest Opinion Pieces

  Dukes Chat is seeking guest opinion pieces on the topics of Duquesne University Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball.
  Please contact healy971@hotmail.com if interested. These pieces, at least one on Duquesne Football, will debut very soon.

*OPINION PIECE* Expectations SOAR for Men's Basketball

  Duquesne University Men's Basketball completed its 2007-08 preseason exhibition schedule with a 6-0 record after a 62-point pounding of NCAA Division II Seton Hill University yesterday.
  Granted, Seton Hill is a far cry from Atlantic Ten Conference competition and that of most of the rest of NCAA Division I, but Duquesne hit 20 of 34 three-point field goals in this game. Bill Clark and Jason Duty were a combined nine-for-nine alone. Regardless of the opponent, a three-pointer is a three-pointer.
  Now, superior teams will hustle a shot more than a team like Seton Hill (with all due respect), but shooting close to 60 percent from three-point range UNCONTESTED is still impressive.
  In the Dukes' final two exhibition games, Clark made 11 of 12 shots from beyond the three-point arc. That kind of outside shooting, coupled with two big, proven defenders and rebounders in the paint (Shawn James and Kieron Achara), gives Duquesne the type of balance that seldom teams can claim to have.
  The season has yet to start, and this is still a team that won only 10 games last season, but the 2007-08 Dukes might be the next big thing in Pittsburgh... and for that matter, college basketball.

[Image: Shawn James (left) and Kieron Achara (right) on the cover of the 2007-08 Duquesne University Men's Basketball Media Guide, Copyright Duquesne University]

*OPINION PIECE* No. 10 Greatest Coach in Duquesne Athletics History

John Hartupee, Wrestling - Say what you will about Duquesne University Wrestling's competition when it comes to competing as an Independent team. Nevertheless, under head coach John Hartupee, the program has put together an unbelievable list of accomplishments.
  Consider the following (from the Duquesne University Athletics Web site)... In his nine seasons as head coach, Hartupee has sent at least one wrestler to the NCAA Championships every year and has directed the Dukes to two NCAA East Regional Championships (2000 and 2005). In 2001-02, Duquesne set the school record for wins in a season with 12 while winning the National Catholic Championship and the East Regional Duals meet. In 2002-03, Duquesne won its second straight National Catholic Championship and sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. In 2003-04, Hartupee guided the Red and Blue to its fourth straight runner-up finish at the NCAA East Regional Championship before capturing the crown in 2004-05 when he sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and was named East Region Coach of the Year.
  Granted, wrestling is not a high-profile sport at Duquesne, but when you put together a resume like this, it doesn't matter what sport you're coaching; you deserve inclusion in this countdown.

(Image: John Hartupee, Copyright Duquesne University Athletics)

*OPINION PIECE* BUMMER

  Dukes Chat usually speaks of only positive news concerning Duquesne University Athletics, but a comment on Dukes Football's recent loss to Iona College deserves some words.
  In no way is the quest for a ninth straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship over. After all, Iona defeated the Dukes in 2006 as well, only to blow the championship late in the year. And give credit to the Dukes for rebounding that season to earn a share of the crown despite that loss -- its toughest, really, of the program's NCAA Division I-AA tenure. Upsets happen.
  But with all due to respect to the 2007 Dukes -- they're still a good team -- this was no upset. Iona is better right now.
  Of course, the Gaels don't have as much going for them future-wise as Duquesne does, but that means nothing in 2007.
  Here's hoping that the Dukes can shake this off like they did last year, but again, they'll need some help.
  For now, what a bummer.

(Image: Duquesne University Football Championship Banner, Copyright Duquesne University)

*OPINION PIECE* A Major Step Forward for ALL Teams

  Duquesne University Athletics has announced a partnership with adidas that makes the apparel company the official sponsor of the Dukes.
  Ron Everhart, Suzie McConnell-Serio, Shawn James, Derron Thomas, permanent seating for Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field, scholarship football and the multi-purpose recreational center have all been tremendous additions for Duquesne Athletics. Each speaks volumes about how seriously the university is taking athletics.
  But while the new additions have been improvements mostly for basketball and football, the deal with adidas -- which will provide footwear, uniforms and other apparel to all 20 Dukes varsity teams -- is great for the non-revenue/"Olympic" sports at the university as well.
  For Duquesne's teams that lack the funding that the football and basketball teams have, something that this deal is MAJOR, MAJOR news. Teams like women's cross country and wrestling will now have free adidas gear at their disposal and will be even more closely aligned with Duquesne's marquee squads.
  A Duke has always been a Duke, and each Duquesne team wears the red and blue. But now each team will look even more alike, and because each team's uniforms will come from adidas, they will also all have the same benefit -- the overall improved image of Duquesne Athletics.

(Image: adidas Logo, Copyright adidas)

Last Countdown (for a While) -- Top Ten Coaches in Duquesne Athletics History

  In a few short days, Dukes Chat will unveil the latest of its countdowns -- the Top Ten Coaches in Duquesne Athletics History.
  This will be the last of the Dukes Chat countdowns for a while.
  Stay tuned.

(Image: Cartoon Whistle, Copyright Discovery Education)

*OPINION PIECE* No. 1 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1954-55 Men's Basketball - Surely to spark no debate, Dukes Chat announces that this team is undoubtedly the greatest in Duquesne Athletics History.
  The rationale for doing so is simple. The National Invitation Tournament in 1955 was the equivalent of today's NCAA Division I Championship. Led by All-American Sihugo Green and finishing with a 22-4 record and a No. 6 Associated Press ranking, this team took the 1955 NIT title, and no Duquesne sports team has won an NCAA championship at the highest level before or since. Therefore, this team achieved more than any other sports team in Duquesne University history.
  Basketball, particularly men's basketball, is the premiere sport at Duquesne. It has been this way since World War II, and this team did more than its part to drive this notion home.
  The future of Duquesne Basketball, and Duquesne Athletics in general -- not coincidentally -- seems incredibly bright. This team, in some way, is to thank for that. The new Multipurpose Recreational Center, the soon-to-be-new permanent grandstand seating around Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field and the hiring of Ron Everhart are all steps that Duquesne University has taken to try to recapture the athletic glory of its past, highlighted, of course, by the 1955 NIT champions.

(Image: Retired Sihugo Green Jersey, Copyright Duquesne University)

*OPINION PIECE* No. 2 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1939-40 Men's Basketball - Though Duquesne University would often turn down bids to play in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship to compete in the more prestigious (at the time) National Invitation Tournament, during this season, the Dukes participated in both.
  Though, they certainly did a lot more than just participate. Duquesne Men's Basketball reached the Final Four of both the NCAA and NIT Tournaments in 1940 -- advancing all the way to the championship game of the NIT.
  Duquesne University is one of the first two schools to participate in both tournaments in the same season. (The other team -- University of Colorado at Boulder Men's Basketball -- played in both in 1940 as well.)
  The Dukes overall record in the 1939-40 season was a tremendous 20-3.

[Image: Paul Widowitz (left) in 1940, Copyright Duquesne University]

*OPINION PIECE* No. 3 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1941 Football - The only apparent reason that Duquesne University went uninvited to a college football bowl game this season was that most schools were simply afraid to lose to the Dukes. In this way, it's unfortunately clear that a lot about scheduling in college football hasn't changed.
  The 1941 Dukes Gridders get the nod over the Orange Bowl-winning team of the 1936 season as Duquesne's best football team because of their awesome and sometimes bar none accomplishments.
  In 1941, Duquesne went undefeated and untied (8-0-0) and earned a No. 8 Associated Press national ranking. But even more impressively, the Dukes led nation in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in '41.

(Image: Current NCAA Football Logo, Copyright National Collegiate Athletic Association)

USA Today Article About the Future of the FCS Playoffs

Read here.

Should the New Permanent Seating Be Named?

  With Duquesne University Athletics announcing that construction on the soon-to-be-new permanent seating to line Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field will begin once the 2007 football season is over, the question is begged: Should this permanent seating be named after someone from Duquesne Athletics' colorful past? If so, then who?
  Should the overall facility simply remain as "Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field"? Perhaps it should be changed to "Arthur J. Rooney Stadium." What about "Greg Gattuso Grandstand"? Or something honoring new Duquesne Athletics Hall of Fame honoree John Rosato? Does this have to be football-specific?
  Please share your thoughts. If you are unsure how to do so, simply click on the "_ comments" link below this post.

*OPINION PIECE* No. 4 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1953-54 Men's Basketball - Not that different from the team that won the championship game of the 1955 National Invitation Tournament, this version of the basketball Dukes lost in the championship round of the NIT to the College of the Holy Cross.
  The 1953-54 Dukes Ballers went 23-6 -- not that dissimilar, again, to the next year's squad's 22-4 -- and garnered a very impressive No. 5 national ranking from the Associated Press.
  Dick Ricketts was a leader and an All-American for this team and went on to an NBA (and MLB actually as well) career. He was taken with the first overall selection by the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks in the 1955 NBA Draft.

(Image: Current NBA Logo, Copyright National Basketball Association)

Dukes Men's BB a Sleeper

From the Duquesne Athletics' Web Site:

"Basketball Times, the nationally-respected college basketball publication, has named the 2007-08 Duquesne Dukes as one of four 'Under the Radar Guys' in its October issue. It is the first time in the four-year history of the annual 'Under the Radar' issue that a team has been chosen.

"Editor John Akers annually runs nearly every projected Division I starter through an efficiency rating known as the 'Larry Bird formula' - a plus/minus system of positive and negative statistics - and takes note of those players who jump out unexpectedly. They then run those players through another filter - testing their efficiency again, but against better teams - before making final decisions.

"This year it is the Dukes along with Florida center Marreese Speights, Georgia Tech guard Lewis Clinch and Utah center Luke Nevill that were chosen as under the radar guys.

"Says Akers in the 'From the editor ...' portion of the October issue, '... no one in four years' worth of 'Under the Radar Guys' has jumped out like the Duquesne Dukes.'

"A three-page feature inside tells the Duquesne story.

"Kieron Achara, of whom Akers says 'Kieron Achara might have been the nation's most under-rated player, his terrific individual season hidden by a late start, limited minutes and a losing season,' graces the cover."

(Image: October 2007 Issue of Basketball Times, Copyright Basketball Times)

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*OPINION PIECE* No. 5 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1936 Football - Not much more can be said about this tremedous football team.
  The 1936 Dukes gridders garnered a No. 14 Associated Press ranking while posting an 8-2 record, capped-off by a win in the 1937 New Year's Day Orange Bowl.
  To this day, the 1937 Orange Bowl win remains Duquesne Football's only official major bowl game victory.
  Guided by the almost forgotten Coach Clipper Smith, this team's only two losses came by a combined nine points. One of those losses was by a mere 2-0 score. The Dukes shut out seven teams this year.
  Mike Basrak, an Associated Press All-American and 1937 Orange Bowl MVP, was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1937.

(Image: Current National Football League Logo, Copyright National Football League)

***CORRECTION***

  A few mistakes in facts have recently been made. The mistakes pointed out by an anonymous reader/commenter occurred in the "*OPINION PIECE* No. 7 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History" post and have since been corrected.
  Dukes Chat regrets the errors and thanks the reader/commenter.