Entering his second season on the bench at Duquesne, head coach Dan Burt knew that he would be dealing with a talented team, but also one that was a little short on experience.
That inexperienced Dukes team was tested early on with a tough slate that included the likes of Syracuse, Princeton and Green Bay.
Burt’s team dropped all three of those contests, but in the process may have learned some lessons that will benefit them the rest of the season.
“Syracuse was the marquee name in there, but Princeton and Green Bay are actually ranked higher in the RPI,” said Burt. “Last I checked they were 5, 10 and 24 in the country in RPI. Being able to play against three teams that will be in the NCAA Tournament, two of which should win their league, benefited us. It showed us how hard you truly have to play every possession.”
Since that time, Duquesne has ripped off four consecutive wins, including defeating Ball State in their own building to capture the Ball State Federal Credit Union Classic Thanksgiving tournament.
“Ball State was a good team I had concerns about,” said Burt. “But we have started to play real well. And by real well I mean we are playing hard on every possession, whether it be our cuts or boxing out or defensively diving for loose balls. And we are making shots. When you play hard and make shots you are very difficult to beat.”
The Dukes have definitely seen their offense pick up.
Duquesne has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each of their past four games and are getting contributions up and down the roster.
Burt has been known for coaching quality post players in the past, but when you surround quality post play with some solid perimeter shooting, you have an offense, that at least on paper, could produce big things.
With the way Belma Nurkic, April Robinson (Duquesne’s leading scorer, 15.4 ppg.) and Emilie Gronas have been shooting the ball from the outside, knocking down nearly 44 percent of their attempts from behind the arc, Duquesne’s hot streak very well could continue.
“We have had some good balance,” said Burt. “When our post players are averaging 25-30 points combined and shooting a high percentage, the defense has to guard them and we are getting some open looks on the perimeter. That being said, it helps to have some very good shooters like Belma, April and Emilie out there.”
As with any inexperienced team, defense is usually the last thing that comes around.
While on paper it looks like Duquesne has improved defensively, holding three straight opponents under 40 percent from the floor, Burt will tell you that they still have a long way to go.
“Actually that is the one thing we aren’t happy about,” added Burt. “I like where we are defensively at this point in the season compared to where we were last year at this point and that was with a veteran group. We still have too many missed assignments, missing some box outs and allowing too much drive penetration. We have to get much better at that. That’s just a coaches mentality though. “
That defense will be tested Sunday afternoon in the City Game against Pitt (5-2). For Burt it is a matchup against a coach he knows very well as the Panthers are led by Suzie McConnell-Serio, who Burt served as an assistant under.
While the women’s City Game may not get the hype that the men’s game receives, it is still a big game for both teams.
“The City game for the women’s side brings out the die-hard fans,” said Burt. “There’s that sub-culture in Western Pennsylvania who really enjoy women’s basketball and get excited for the game because it is Pitt and Duquesne. Of course there will be the storyline of Suzie leaving us and going to Pitt and that plays out in fans perspective. But for us at Duquesne we have moved on from that. We are just looking forward to Sunday.
As for the game itself, the Panthers present a challenge for Burt’s team, especially in the form of guard Brianna Kiesel and forward Monica Wignot, Pitt’s two leading scorers who have combined to average 28.4 points per game.
“A big key for us is going to be Amadea Szamosi,” said Burt. “She is going to have to be able to defend Wignot without fouling. And Olivia Bresnahan is going to have to have to keep doing what she has been doing. By that I mean defending the other team’s best guard (Kiesel), making a few shots and continue to attack.”
It will be interesting to see for sure as two very talented teams get ready to hook up once again in a big game for each program.
The women’s City Game will be played Sunday, December 7 at the A.J. Palumbo Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Photo Credit: Duquesne
