Duquesne Basketball looked destined to finish in the bottom of the Atlantic 10 in the first month of the season, starting out 0-6. But they’ve improved since. They are currently on a three-game win streak that includes wins over Towson and UC-Irvine.
Now, the real games start for the Dukes. Up first in league play is Rhode Island (11-1), off to one of the best starts in program history. Coach Archie Miller and the Rams have wins over Charleston, Yale, Providence, and Temple and have one of the top scoring offenses in the country.
Here’s a look at the keys to Duquesne pulling off the upset.
1. Slowing down Sebastian Thomas
The player who has turned the Rams into an offensive machine is Thomas, a 6’1 transfer guard from Albany. He leads the team with 17.6 ppg and 7.0 apg, along with 2.4 steals a game too. His impact on the game is clear, but Duquesne has to find a way to limit his impact. Look for Cameron Crawford and Kareem Rozier to get the main assignments on Thomas, the most important play to stop.
2. Avoid piling up on fouls
One thing Rhode Island excels at is getting to the FT line, ranking top-5 nationally with over 28 attempts a game. They have several slashers that can get to the basket, including Thomas. Duquesne’s depth has been a strength, including a three-man rotation at center. So while foul trouble itself isn’t the main issue, giving up too many free points for a team that can struggle on offense is the real potential concern to watch.
3. Jacob Necas all-around importance
In the last game against NAIA Cleary, the 6’9 forward led the team with 15 points. In the past three since being inserted back into the starting lineup, Necas is averaging 10 ppg and 5.0 rpg, while having a big role on the defensive end.
Not only will Duquesne need another double-digit scoring outing from Necas, but he’ll likely be assigned to guard David Green, who is averaging 16.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg on 43% shooting from deep. The Dukes will need to limit his impact, with Necas the best chance to do so.
With the Atlantic 10 home opener against the Rhode Island Rams quickly approaching, here are three keys to ensure a successful game for our team:
1. Strong Defense: Rhode Island boasts a talented offensive lineup, so it will be crucial for our team to tighten up our defense. This means staying disciplined, communicating effectively, and contesting every shot. By limiting the Rams’ scoring opportunities, we can put ourselves in a better position to come out on top.
2. Efficient Offense: In order to outscore the Rams, our team will need to be efficient on the offensive end. This means moving the ball well, taking high-percentage shots, and capitalizing on fast break opportunities. By executing our offensive game plan effectively, we can put pressure on Rhode Island’s defense and create scoring chances.
3. Home Court Advantage: Playing at home gives us a significant advantage, as we will have the support of our fans and the familiarity of our home court. It’s important for our team to feed off this energy and use it to our advantage. By playing with confidence and intensity, we can create a hostile environment for the Rams and make it difficult for them to execute their game plan.
By focusing on these three keys, our team can set the tone for the rest of the Atlantic 10 season and come away with a crucial victory in our home opener against the Rhode Island Rams. Let’s go out there and give it our all! #GoTeamGo #Atlantic10 #HomeOpener #RhodeIslandRams
Tags:
- Atlantic 10 basketball
- Rhode Island Rams
- Home opener
- College basketball
- Game preview
- Atlantic 10 conference
- University of Rhode Island
- Basketball matchup
- College sports
- Division 1 basketball
#keys #Atlantic #home #opener #Rhode #Island #Rams
