Atlantic 10 Basketball: VCU on top, Bonnies drop in latest power rankings

RICHMOND, VA - DECEMBER 07: Nah"u2019Shon Hyland #5 of the VCU Rams drives past Jaylin Hunter #12 of the Old Dominion Monarchs in the first half during a game at Stuart C. Siegel Center on December 7, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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Atlantic 10 Basketball Marcus Weathers Duquesne Dukes (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

8. Duquesne Dukes

2020-21 record: 7-6 overall, 6-5 A-10
Previous ranking: 10th

Another A-10 team on pause, things have finally been on the up for Keith Dambrot and the Dukes. Now, winners of a season-high three straight games, the Dukes own a winning record for the first time since January 2nd – and have done so in fairly impressive fashion.

After just barely losing to St. Bonaventure by four points on January 23rd, Duquesne rallied off double-digit victories over Fordham and Saint Joseph’s – before avenging a January loss to Dayton, toppling them, 69-64, back on February 2nd. That was Duquesne’s last game before their pause – but it is, most importantly, their second win over a top-100 KenPom team.

Despite surrendering a 68.0% 2PT clip to the Flyers, the Dukes were impressive themselves inside, going 20-32 (62.5%) while making 22 trips to the charity stripe to just nine for Dayton. They also had a stellar game out of Marcus Weathers, who has been playing out of his mind in his senior campaign, posting 20 points (6-10 FG, 7-10 FT) after scoring a season-high 24 against Saint Joseph’s. Michael Hughes was also stellar, recording a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double.

The Dukes are slated to end their pause and play their next game on Wednesday, traveling to George Mason. Time will tell if the Dukes have another scheduled game because their only one remaining after the Patriots is on the 27th against La Salle – and Duquesne has a real opportunity of winning out the rest of the regular season.

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