Duquesne (6-9, 1-3) will take on No. 17 Virginia Commonwealth (14-3, 4-0) today at 2:00 pm ET at the CONSOL Energy Center in the Dukes’ first CONSOL home game this season.
This marks the third meeting between Duquesne and third-year Atlantic 10 member VCU. The Rams defeated Duquesne 80-65 last year at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. VCU was picked to finish first in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
Both teams enter the game ranked among the bottom 20 teams nationally in team free throw percentage—VCU is .621 and Duquesne is at .588.
The Rams are 127-24 under 6th year head coach Shaka Smart. VCU has held seven of its past eight opponents to 65 or fewer points. Duquesne has scored 63 and 65 points in its two meetings with the Rams.
VCU senior guard Treveon Graham (17.1 ppg) and junior guard Briante Weber (7.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.0 spg) were both named First Team Preseason All-Atlantic 10. The Rams were the only team with two first team picks. Graham was also named to the Preseason All-Defensive Team. VCU has led the nation in steals per game in each of the past three years and is currently ranked third nationally in both steals per game (10.7) and turnover margin (+7.1).
The backcourt of junior guards Derrick Colter and Micah Mason are ranked third in 3-point shooting at a combined .469 through Wednesday’s games.
Sophomore forward L.G. Gill was a high school teammate of VCU redshirt sophomore guard Jordan Burgess.
The game will be broadcast on CBSSN, WJAS 1320 AM, iHeartRadio, 3WS HD2, and will stream on Red Zone Media.
Photo Credit: www.goduquesne.com
