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Duquesne Dukes basketball, or simply Duquesne basketball, refers to the men's basketball programme at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team, whose history dates back to 1914, play their home games at the A. J. Palumbo Center, which opened in 1988. The Dukes have experienced mixed success, including a 47-year drought between appearances in the NCAA Division I Tournament, which they ended by winning the conference tournament in 2024. They have also reached the NIT Tournament and multiple College Basketball Invitational tournaments in the 21st century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Duquesne Dukes |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Gender | Men's |
| University | Duquesne University |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Arena | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| Conference | Atlantic 10 |
| Notable Achievements |
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| Notable Players |
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What You'll Learn
Duquesne Dukes men's basketball history
The Duquesne Dukes men's basketball team has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 20th century. The team represents Duquesne University in college basketball and has been a fixture of the university's athletic program for over a century.
The history of basketball at Duquesne University can be traced back to 1914 when the university administration established the sport as a varsity sport. The first game, played against Bethany College, was won by the Dukes in a gym under the college chapel on January 9, 1914. The team has played in NCAA Division I and has had six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with a record of 5-6. They have also won the National Invitation Tournament championship in 1955 and the Atlantic 10 tournament in 2024.
The Dukes have had several notable achievements over the years. In the 1939-40 season, the team finished with a 20-3 record and appeared in the Final Four of both the NIT and NCAA Tournaments. The team was also ranked as the No. 1 college basketball team in the country for two consecutive weeks during the 1953-54 season. The Dukes can also claim the first African-American player selected in an NBA draft, Chuck Cooper, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1950.
The 1960s and 1970s saw the Dukes continue their success, with appearances in the NIT and NCAA Tournaments under Coach Red Manning. The team also had notable players during this era, such as Willie Somerset, nicknamed "Wonderful Willie," and Norm Nixon, who was considered "the greatest guard in Duquesne basketball history."
In recent years, the Duquesne Dukes have continued to strive for excellence under head coach Dru Joyce III, who took over for Keith Dambrot. The team has had recent successes, such as their victory over the Towson Tigers in 2024, and is looking to build on their achievements and establish themselves as a consistent contender in college basketball.
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The team's coaches
The Duquesne Dukes men's basketball team has had only four different basketball coaches in fifty years. However, three different coaches have led the team in this current decade: Red Manning, John Cinicola, and Mike Rice. The first coach of the team was Alexander Hogarty, whose tenure lasted only one season. He was replaced by Father Eugene McGuigan, also known as "Father Mac" on campus and "Coach Gene Martin" to the newspapers. McGuigan's pseudonym was used in newspaper reports to prevent the name of a Holy Ghost father from being associated with the rowdiness of "Basket-ball".
Red Manning's tenure as coach was marked by the emergence of Norm Nixon, considered "the greatest guard in Duquesne basketball history". The team's performance during this time was relatively lacklustre, and the decade saw only two winning seasons: 1980–81 and 1985–86. The construction of the A. J. Palumbo Center, the current home of Duquesne Basketball, in 1988 is a notable event from this period.
Under the guidance of Coach John Cinicola, the team reached the NCAA Tournament in 2024, advancing to the second round. They also participated in the NIT Tournament in 2009 but were eliminated in the first round. During his time with the Dukes, the team qualified for four College Basketball Invitational tournaments, advancing to the second round on two occasions.
Mike Rice took over as coach, and during his tenure, the team ended a 47-year drought in the NCAA Division I Tournament after winning their first Atlantic 10 title in 1977. The Duquesne Dukes also held the distinction of being ranked by the Associated Press as the No. 1 college basketball team nationwide for two consecutive weeks during the 1953–54 season.
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The A. J. Palumbo Center
The center is named in honour of its benefactor, Antonio J. Palumbo, who was elected to the Duquesne University board of directors and received an honorary doctorate of Business and Administration from the university in 1987. The arena has undergone several renovations over the years, including major upgrades in 2006 and 2009-2010. The renovations included resurfacing the basketball court, upgrading video monitors, replacing seating sections, and installing new scoreboards. The center also features administrative offices for the athletic department and facility management.
The Duquesne Dukes men's basketball team has a rich history, dating back to 1914 when basketball became a varsity sport at the university. The team has experienced both successes and lean years. They were ranked as the No. 1 college basketball team in the country for two weeks during the 1953-54 season by the Associated Press. The Dukes also hold the distinction of having the first African-American player selected in an NBA draft, Chuck Cooper, in 1950.
The construction of the A. J. Palumbo Center in 1988 provided a permanent home for the Duquesne Dukes basketball team, which previously played at various sites around the city, including the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. The first men's basketball game at the center was held on December 3, 1988, with Duquesne defeating St. Joseph's 73-69. The arena has since hosted many major sports events and tournaments, including NIT and WNIT games, high school post-season championships, and national wrestling championships.
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The Dukes' notable players
The Duquesne Dukes represent Duquesne University in college basketball. The team has had notable success over the years, including six appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in the national championship games in the 1950s. They won the National Invitation Tournament championship in 1955 and the 2024 Atlantic 10 tournament. The Dukes are also the only school to have had back-to-back first overall picks in the National Basketball Association draft: Dick Ricketts (1955) and Sihugo Green (1956).
The program can also claim the first African-American player selected in an NBA draft, Chuck Cooper, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1950. Cooper's number was retired by the university, along with those of four other all-time greats: Sihugo Green, Norm Nixon, Dick Ricketts, and Willie Somerset. Somerset, nicknamed "Wonderful Willie" by the press, was only 5'11" but could jump higher than any other player on the team. Norm Nixon is described as "the greatest guard in Duquesne basketball history."
Other notable players include T.J. McConnell, Eli Wilborn, and Serbian prospect Lazar Milosevic.
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The Dukes' recent performance
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team has a rich history and a strong performance record in recent years. The team represents Duke University in NCAA Division I college basketball and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Duke has won five national championships and appeared in 11 national championship games, with 18 Final Four appearances. They have a strong winning percentage in NCAA tournaments and can boast of having 11 players named National Player of the Year, with 71 players selected in the NBA draft.
In the 2024-25 season, the Blue Devils continued their success, finishing ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. This extended their record as the all-time leader in total weeks ranked as the number one team by the AP poll, with an impressive 145 weeks. The team also has the third-longest streak in the AP Top 25, appearing consecutively from 1996 to 2007.
Duke's recent performance has been characterised by consistent excellence. In 2022, Mike Krzyzewski stepped down after a long and illustrious tenure as the team's coach from 1980 to 2022. During his time, the team won numerous accolades, including the university's first NCAA Championship in 1992. That year, Duke defeated Kansas 72-65, led by Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, and Thomas Hill. This game is often acclaimed as one of the greatest college basketball games ever played.
The Blue Devils have continued to build on their legacy, with the current coach, Jon Scheyer, aiming to lead the team to further success in the coming seasons. With a talented roster and a strong basketball culture, Duke University's basketball team is expected to remain a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The A. J. Palumbo Center is the home of the Duquesne Dukes basketball team.
The A. J. Palumbo Center was constructed in 1988.
The history of basketball at Duquesne University can be dated back to 1914 when the university administration established basketball as a varsity sport.
The first basketball coach at Duquesne University was Alexander Hogarty, whose tenure lasted only one season.
