Duquesne Dukes Fan Forum / Dukes not in Top 100 in Analytics Preseason Rankings

**Posted by PhoenixRising2** 10/14/2024 3:15 pm

Ken Pom has the Dukes ranked #143 in the country; projected 7-11 in A10 play. 2025 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings (kenpom.com)
Torvik has the Dukes ranked #113 in the country; projected 9-9 om A10 play. 2024-25 Projections - - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank (barttorvik.com)
Haslam has the Dukes ranked #103 in the country; projected 9-9 in A10 play. Haslametrics.com

It's just a starting point in the analytics; I don't put much stock into these (especially for a team like Duquesne that lost so much and analytics can't fully decipher the impact of transfers). If you think that the Dukes will be better than these rankings and you like to bet, there is going to be good value for the Dukes early in the season. For example, I expect the line on the Lipscomb game to open with the Dukes as 4 to 5 point favorites.

**Posted by PhoenixRising2** 10/14/2024 3:26 pm

Duquesne Ranked in Bottom Half of A10 in Preseason Kenpom Rankings (pittsburghsportsnow.com)

https://x.com/hoopsnut351/status/1845829691996835893

**Posted by NapaDuke** 10/14/2024 4:34 pm

Likely, with a more aggressive offense this year and the defensive minded players returning, DU will likely way out perform the preseason rankings. Just not the same team as last year, but likely even better. No one guessed preseason last year, that DU was going to win the A-10, but it happened.

**Posted by CLK** 10/16/2024 10:52 am

I have to think that part of this low ranking is having an unknown first year head coach, and the fact that we lost our top two scorers. I honestly think that the offensive talent level on this year's team as a group is better than last year. We were not a very good offensive team last season. If one guy had a bad night or got in foul trouble, we did not have many or any good alternatives. I think the big key for a repeat championship is for this team to have the same defensive intensity as we had last season. Given that Coach Dru has made this a priority, and since he was integrally involved with the defense last season, I believe we can do it agan. Go Dukes!.

**Posted by levon1975** 10/18/2024 7:08 am

I think the A-10 will be a tougher league top to bottom and with the coaching and roster turnover I wouldn’t expect the Dukes to be highly ranked in the league or nationally. It may take some time for the team to gel and perform as a cohesive unit. It appears that Coach Dru will have some depth and position flexibility, but at the same time players are learning their roles and how to fit into the mix. It should be interesting, and maybe better to be under-rated than over-rated in the preseason polls.