With 5 Games Left, Duquesne Fighting For Double-Bye in A-10

Want an example of how things are changing for Duquesne basketball?

It’s February 18 and with only five games left in the regular season, the Dukes will actually be playing meaningful games for the rest of the season. It’s been a while since the program has been able to say that.

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Duquesne currently sits with a conference record of 8-5 and are one of five teams battling for the last two double-bye seeds in the Atlantic 10 tournament. VCU and Davidson both are 10-2, so we’ll assume they have two of the four top seeds.

If that holds up, Duquesne is battling with four teams (George Mason, Dayton, St. Louis and St. Bonaventure) for the remaining two spots. Here are the current A-10 standings.

ATLANTIC 10 STANDINGS:
VCU: 10-2
Davidson: 10-2
George Mason: 9-4
Dayton: 8-4
Duquesne: 8-5
St. Louis: 8-5
St. Bonaventure: 7-5 

Keith Dambrot’s team will have a week off before their next game and that’s important because next up on Saturday is the team in front of them in the standings, George Mason. The seven days off will give them some time to rest and more importantly, allow Sincere Carry (knee), Mike Hughes (knee) and Tavian Dunn-Martin (ankle) to get healthy.

The remaining schedule won’t be easy for the Dukes as three of the final five games will be on the road. Saturday’s game is important because a win will not only allow Duquesne to catch George Mason in the standings but also give them the advantage in head-head if that becomes a factor at the end of the season.

Here’s the remaining schedules for Duquesne, George Mason, Dayton, St. Louis and St. Bonaventure.

George Mason (9-4): vs. Duquesne, vs. Richmond, at St. Louis, vs. VCU, at George Washington
Dayton (8-4): at Davidson, vs. St. Louis, at UMass, vs. Rhode Island, vs. LaSalle, at Duquesne
Duquesne (8-5): at George Mason, at St. Bonaventure, vs. UMass, at St. Louis, vs. Dayton
St. Louis (8-5): at Dayton, at VCU, vs. George Mason, vs. Duquesne, at St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure (7-5): vs. LaSalle, at Fordham, vs. Duquesne, at George Washington, at Davidson, vs. St. Louis