3 Keys For Duquesne MBB’s R32 Illinois Contest

OMAHA, Neb. — The Duquesne Men’s Basketball season has had plenty of turning points come as a result of its much talked about 0-5 Atlantic 10 record to open conference play, but it was the defensive aspect that allowed for much of this momentum to swing in the positive direction.

After the Dukes bested Bradley in Akron, sophomore guard Kareem Rozier discussed associate head coach Dru Joyce III giving the team an expletive-filled talking to at halftime and the defensive response won them the game.

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It was that defensive philosophy which has served Duquesne well time and again since the first St. Bonaventure game.

“We were trying to be too much of an offensive team, letting that affect our defense and since the 0-5, we changed to letting the defense affect the offense,” Rozier recalled. “That’s what we’ve become and that’s what we’re all about.”

The defensive, mud wrestling mentality allowed Duquesne to win an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1969.

During Duquesne’s media availability Friday, Rozier exclusively told PSN about the team’s energy and just the mere thought brought a smile across his face.

“We on something different right now,” promised Rozier. “Everybody’s mentality is we’re some pit bulls, like Andy Barba said. We’re ready to go. We don’t care who you are, we understand we’re going to be the underdog and we’re here to prove everyone wrong.”

Duquesne will be facing Illinois back at the Chi Health Center with an 8:40 p.m. ET tip off time Saturday evening with a Sweet 16 spot on the line.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Continue embracing being an underdog– Duquesne has loved being counted out, in fact it has thrived on just that.

Any chance the Dukes have had to remind others to keep underestimating them have been welcomed.

Certainly, much of the viewing nation is far more aware of Duquesne’s story and have developed a cult following of sorts with the opportunity to showcase its ability Saturday night on a national stage.

“It’s definitely an identity and all we can do is embrace it,” Rozier offered. “When we win then everybody wants to act surprised, but that’s what we’re about. We’re about proving people wrong. We’ve been going through it the last two season proving everybody wrong.”

Now people are starting to believe or as the team puts in, “hopping on the Duquesne train”. While they welcome the love, they also have kept tabs on those who stuck with them when the team was down.

“It did not look like it does now,” said Rozier on the Duquesne train. “Now we’ve got everyone with us. It’s amazing to see for sure, I’m happy, we’re blessed, but it hasn’t always been like this.”

2. Create your own energy– Dambrot has instilled the idea of Energy Generated Behaviors within his programs for years and Fousseyni Drame created that for the Dukes with his tie up 20 seconds into the second half. He forced a jump ball and though the physicality initiated led to a double technical foul,

Drame’s energy has come during Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam. Both Fousseyni and Hassan Drame in addition to Chabi Barre and Nae Bernard, Kiandra Browne and Selma Kulo from the women’s team are observing Ramadan which began Mar. 11 in the evening and ends Apr. 9.

“I feel like it is even easier playing basketball during Ramadan,” Barre observed. “We do eat a lot we just don’t eat during the day. We wake up at 5 a.m. to eat a lot and I talk to Fouss and Hass and asked them, and they said God does give you something else, a strength that nobody will tell you you have.”

Drame agrees that the energy itself that activates is different and it is no coincidence that his Dukes have been on a run during this stretch.

Players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, an NBA legend who observe set an example that can be followed.

“People like him that setting a bar to show kids like us that you can still practice your faith and still be at the biggest stage,” said Drame. “Not only him. Like current player like Kyrie Irving practicing, it’s something we look up to right now, and we are always telling ourselves it is possible.”

3. Ensure “The Boot” goes 6-0– Donna Dambrot remains Duquesne’s good luck charm and as long as Duquesne keeps winning, her husband will remain on the sideline.

Dambrot announcing his retirement has allowed him to feel a certain level of calmness he has not previously experienced.

Rozier was asked for the first time about his thoughts concerning Dambrot’s announced retirement, especially given his leadership position and the meetings the pair had, and a steely look of determination formed.

“Our relationship is different given he’s the only person that gave me an opportunity in high school,” he formulated. “We’re tight so it hit a little differently finding it out. At the same time, I want to send him out with a bang, I want to do this for him. This is us playing at the end of the day, but this is his legacy. I want to leave right.”

HE SAID IT

“I would say and y’all going to laugh, Moment For Life, Nicki Minaj. I don’t know, it’s Nicki Minaj. That song’s hard. I’m just thinking about living in this moment, I wish I could have this moment for the rest of my life. This is something that we all accomplished together that wasn’t easy and this is just a special time.” – Rozier on which song or lyric best epitomizes his team