(10-3) Dukes host (6-6) Fordham tonight - A10 opener

Game Notes

Is tonight's game the biggest of the season for Duquesne? I think Duquesne's home game against UMass is the biggest game remaining on the schedule but I do think that tonight's game against Fordham is huge for the Dukes. Let's face it the Dukes had a great run in the non-conference schedule, but who did they really beat? Niagara is a decent team but Niagara is not the type of win you can hang your hat on. Duquesne needs to prove itself in conference play starting tonight at home against Fordham.

Fordham is led by 4 seniors who all average more than 25 minutes played per game. Bryant Dunston (pictured right) a 6'8 Sr. forward is the leading scorer for Fordham with 15ppg and 8rpg this season. 6'4 Sr. guard Marcus Stout is another Fordham senior to watch out for tonight, he is averaging 14.9ppg and leads the team in assists. Fordham has won the last 5 meetings between the teams with Duquesne's last win coming back in 2002.

Duquesne and Fordham do share one common opponent this season: Robert Morris. The Dukes defeated Robert Morris at home 86-70. Fordham lost to Robert Morris at home 72-66. (Congrats to Robert Morris for their upset victory over Boston College this week.)

As I have said before this is a must win for Duquesne. The Dukes have done a great job in non-conference play and now they need to capitalize on it with a win against an inferior conference opponent at home.

I will be at the game tonight. There is an outside chance I will be at Shale's before the game with my father.

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A lot of people are writing off Fordham this year after their rough 6-6 start. Fordham had a great season last year going 18-12, (including two victories over Duquesne) and that solid season garnered high expectations for the 07-08 Fordham Rams. Fordham has not met those high expectations thus far this season in non-conference play, however this senior led team could turn things around at any time. If the Dukes take Fordham lightly they will lose.

Tonight's game will tell us a lot about this Duquesne team. The Dukes have shown us that they can defeat lower level competition, but that begs the question, do the Dukes have what it takes to play with the other competitive teams in the A10?

We will answer that question tonight.