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Duquesne Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 5, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Duquesne Dukes head coach Keith Dambrot gestures from the bench against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the second half of a quarterfinal in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Duquesne Dukes head coach Keith Dambrot gestures from the bench against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the second half of a quarterfinal in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duquesne Basketball Tyson Acuff Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Duquesne Basketball Tyson Acuff Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guard

Starter: Tyson Acuff (20 mpg)

As one of two rotation players back, the sophomore guard is set to potentially start after playing in all 18 games last season. Acuff mainly came off the bench but did have some big games towards the end of last season, including 12 points against St. Bonaventure in the season finale.

Look for the 6’4 guard to have a much bigger role, as he’s an all-around offensive player that can shoot from deep and drive to the basket. If he can become a double-digit scorer, Acuff will be the breakout contributor from the backcourt that Duquense needs.

Bench: Leon Ayers III (14 mpg), Amir Spears (6 mpg)

The minutes for Acuff could be around 10 or 26 per game this season, depending on how both he plays and Ayers, the most proven producer at the D-I level. After two years at Henry Ford College at the Junior College level, the 6’6 guard was an all-conference contributor at Mercer. He averaged 12.2 ppg on 52% shooting from the field, including 39% from three-point range.

Ayers reached double figures in 22 of 29 games, including a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds versus The Citadel. His shooting ability alone makes him a great option at shooting guard and he comes into the season as the likely go-to option on offense.

Spears will get most of his minutes as the point guard spot but his versatility will be needed off the bench to play multiple positions. He can defend bigger guards and depending on how both Johnson and Acuff perform in the backcourt will affect Spears’ own minutes.

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