The Duquesne University website has finally published a 07-08 season in review. The 07-08 season was another step in the right direction for the Duquesne basektball program, there is no doubt about that, but when I think back to the season I always wonder what could have been. The Dukes finished the year 17-13, but sadly they were 1-9 in single-digit games. If the Dukes could have played better in close games they could have easily eclipsed the 20 win mark and had a shot at playing in a post season tournament.
The Duquesne website does refer to Aaron Jackson as Ajax, a nickname that was invented by someone on the Duquesne Voy message board, and a nickname that I am behind 100%
Thinking back on the 07-08 season gets me excited for the 08-09 season. Ron Everhart has the Duquesne program completely turned around and he has a group of talented and exciting players joining the program next year. There are still some big questions to be answered in the off season: Will Shawn James return next year and who else does Ron Everhart plan on making a part of the 2008 recruiting class, (Duquesne still has scholarships to give)? The post season signing period starts this week so hopefully we will have some new signees with the program in the near future. James has until June 16th to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Duquesne.
4 comments:
Pretty excited about 08-09. Bought season tickets for the first time this past season - really enjoyed watching this team.
Whoever they get new - they really need to work on guarding the 3 line better and breaking down zone defenses.
I hope the team is disappointed in this last season - not that it wasn't great - but as you mentioned, it so close to being so much better....
Being one who doesn't really follow college (or pro, for that matter) basketball anymore (I used to many moons ago) - I have followed the Dukes on the Dukes Court and I noticed something...
I think the "reinvigoration" if you will, of the Dukes is somewhat comparable to what happened at (gulp - sorry!) Xavier. Both programs took major steps forward this past year.
I wouldn't compare Duquesne and Xavier. The Duquesne program had become a total laughing stock during the Danny Nee era, and now thanks to Ron Everhart and an Atheltic Department that seems to care about hoops again the Dukes are competitive again.
Xavier has been a solid program for some time now, and under Sean Miller they are consistently making the NCAA Tournament.
ok
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