The lowdown
2000-01 record: 9-21; 3-13 in A-10 (10th)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. They've got to get players, players, and oh yeah, some talented players.
2. Can Wayne Smith become an even bigger scoring machine for the Dukes?
3. Can new coach Danny Nee make winning a priority?
Three Key Facts
1. Jack May, the Dukes' best shooter from a year ago (48.7 percent on FGs), isn't eligible due to grades.
2. Jamal Hunter, who averaged 15 points over the Dukes final eight games last season, was given a fifth season of eligibility due to medical hardship.
3. While Duquesne hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1977 and has made just three NIT appearances since then, new head coach Danny Nee is a proven winner. Nee led Nebraska to nine straight postseason appearances from 1991-99 (5 NCAA bids).
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Finish fourth in the West
Worst case: End up in last again.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Wayne Smith
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Sr.
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F
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6-7/220
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PTS: 15.2 | REB: 5.7 | AST: 1.8
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Kevin Forney
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Jr.
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G
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6-4/180
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PTS: 9.1 | REB: 2.7 | AST: 2.0
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Aaron Lovelace
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Sr.
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G
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6-5/210
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PTS: 5.4 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 0.6
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Courtney Wallace
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G
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6-4/210
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PTS: 16.6 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 3.3
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Chuck Stanfield
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G
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6-4/190
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PTS: 7.5 | REB: 4.3 | AST: 1.1
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Duquesne Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Simplice Njoya
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C
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6-10
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Cameroon/The Masters School (N.Y.)
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Aly Samabaly
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G
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6-3
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Mali/St. Vincent-St. Mary's HS (Ohio)
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Tyler Bluemling
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G
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6-2
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Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon
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