Duquesne is facing off against its first ranked opponent of the season Saturday night at the Consol Energy Center. #22 Virginia Commonwealth (15-3, 3-0), who topped Saint Joseph’s 92-86 in overtime Thursday night, will come to Pittsburgh seeking a 13th straight win. Their current win streak is 2nd longest in the nation.
The Rams have faced a respectable cadre of opponents this season. They are 1-2 against teams currently in the Top 25. Their quality wins have come against #19 Memphis, Dayton and Saint Joe’s. Right now, the Rams are tied with Butler, Charlotte and Xavier for the best record in the Atlantic 10 conference. This is the first time VCU has cracked the AP Top 15 poll since the 1984-85 season.
Duquesne, who is 6-2 at home this season and 1-1 at the Consol Energy Center, has won its past two home games against ranked opponents (#9 Xavier in 2009 and #19 Temple in 2011). Both games, however, were played at the Palumbo Center. Saturday will be the first meeting between the Dukes and first-year Atlantic-10 member VCU.
The streaking Rams began the week at the top of the nation in several categories–steals per game (13.2) and turnover margin (+8.6). Guard Troy Daniels was the national leader in 3-pointers per game, while Briante Weber was leading the nation in steals per game. The Rams currently rank 19th overall in points per game (78.7) and 24th in assists per game (16.3).
VCU isn’t the most experienced team out there, but they will get after any team they face. They play an unselfish game and have the ability to put a lot of points on the board. Saint Joe’s was the first team to score more than 70 points against them this season. The Rams are led in scoring by sophomore sensation Treveon Graham, who is averaging 16.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. In his past five outings he is averaging 20.4 points per game, including a 25 point performance against Saint Joseph’s.
Duquesne is holding opponents to just under 40 percent shooting at home. They are 46-114 all-time against ranked opponents, but only two of these wins have come after 1997. Duquesne will host Xavier at the Consol Energy Center on February 9th for its 3rd and final home game in the 19,000 seat arena.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
