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Duquesne Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Dukes

By Tristan Freeman

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Mike Lewis II #1 of the Duquesne Dukes shoots in front of Julius Johnson #32 of the Richmond Spiders during the first half in the Second Round of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Mike Lewis II #1 of the Duquesne Dukes shoots in front of Julius Johnson #32 of the Richmond Spiders during the first half in the Second Round of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Starters

PG – SO Frankie Hughes

With the only player returning who averaged more than one assist a game for Duquesne being a big man, the lead ball handler role is completely up for grabs. There are a couple of true point guard transfers coming in but I’m of the mindset that Dambrot will play the best players on the court at both the beginning and end of the game.

That’s why Hughes gets the nod, being the only power conference transfer who also played a good amount of minutes at his previous stop. At Missouri, he averaged 7.6 ppg and 1.2 apg in 19 mpg, as well as 11 starts. The 6’4 guard could have the biggest impact of all the transfers and should be a likely starter. Hughes is also not a great shooter (30% overall at Missouri), so the shooting guard spot may not be his best position to play. That being said, he may also fit best as the team’s sixth man off the bench to balance out the scoring.

SG – JR Mike Lewis II

The leading scorer for the Dukes the last couple of seasons, Lewis has averaged over 14 ppg while being one of the A-10 leaders in three-point shooting and percentage. The 6’1 guard is a solid defender but not much of a passer, which may dictate what the coaching staff does at the point guard position if the offense can’t move the ball well. Lewis is as consistent a scorer as there comes, giving the team a reliable offensive option each night on the court.

SF – SO Eric Williams Jr.

Arguably the best freshman in the A-10 last season, Williams was fantastic for the team, averaging 14.3 ppg and 8.8 rpg, good for second in the A-10. Even though he’s a 6’5 guard, Duquesne can use small lineups with him on the court and not be killed on the boards. With better offensive big men joining Williams, he may dominate as a sophomore.

PF – SO Marcus Weathers

Averaging 9.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg as a freshman at Miami (Oh), Weathers is a multidimensional forward who could play both the three and four-spots on the court. At 6’5 and 200-pounds with a good perimeter shot, look for Weathers to be used in a variety of ways, while getting plenty of minutes.

C – SO Michael Hughes

With Verhoeven gone, multiple big men will vie for the starting center spot. If experience is a factor, Hughes, who followed Dambrot over from Akron as a transfer should be considered a favorite. He played in just seven minutes a game in the 2016-17 season as the primary backup to star center Isaiah Johnson. For Dambrot to gladly take Hughes at his new stop, it has to bode well for how highly he thinks of the now sophomore big man.

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