Last season, the Duquesne Dukes went 13-19 overall and 8-10. It was a solid end, but they couldn’t overcome a 0-6 start, which included losses to Lipscomb, Milwaukee, and Hampton. They also suffered home setbacks to Saint Peter’s and Maine in the non-con.
The Dukes are hoping for a better start for the 2025-26 campaign. The non-conference schedule for the team has been released, including a pair of games against non-DI teams in Cleary and Central State University.
What’s ahead.
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) July 29, 2025
The non-conference schedule 🎩 pic.twitter.com/bY1TGDehkZ
As for the other 11 games against D-I teams, here’s a ranking in terms of how tough they look on paper.
11. Canisius Golden Griffins (H)
2024-25 season record: 3-28 (3-17 MAAC)
Canisius was one of the worst teams in all of college basketball last season and, as expected, has revamped the roster. Only starting PG Anthony Benard (5.1 ppg and 3.8 apg) is back, while the team landed several transfers. However, the most accomplished newcomer is Michael Evbagharu, who averaged 7.3 ppg at Central Arkansas. There’s hope some of these guys can excel with a new opportunity ,but the Griffins have their work cut out for them.
10. Niagara Purple Eagles (H)
2024-25 season record: 11-20 (6-14 MAAC)
The top seven scorers are gone from last season, leaving starting guard Justin Page (5.3 ppg) as the lone returning piece. Among the notable newcomers to the roster is Vice Zanki, a 6’8 forward who produced 5.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg off the bench at East Washington.
9. Stony Brook Seawolves (H)
2024-25 season record: 8-24 (4-14 CAA)
The top four scorers from the Seawolves are gone, but they do bring back starting guard Collin O’Connor, who averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.2 apg as a freshman. Stony Brook also landed Ethan Simmons, a double-digit scorer from New Haven when they were in the D-II level. Plus, there’s Erik Pratt, who averaged 10.6 ppg at Milwaukee. The backcourt for them should be strong, but can the frontcourt hold up?
8. Northeastern Huskies (in Akron)
2024-25 season record: 17-15 (9-9 CAA)
The top two scorers are gone but the Huskies bring back two key pieces, including double-digit scoring guard, LA Pratt. Sharpshooter JB Frankel (39% 3PT) also returns for the backcourt. Youri Fritz is the key returning forward, as he’ll be the focal point in the frontcourt for them.
7. William & Mary Tribe (H)
2024-25 season record: 17-15 (11-7 CAA)
Although the top three scorers are gone, the Tribe does bring back two starting guards in Chase Lowe and Kyle Pulliam, who averaged 10 ppg last season. William & Mary also adds two frontcourt transfers, including Cade Haskins, a 6’9 stretch forward who averaged 9.6 ppg at Dartmouth. The other is a familiar face to Duquesne, going up against former La Salle forward Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi.
6. Queens Royals (H)
2024-25 season record: 20-15 (11-7 ASUN)
Queens is entering its 4th year at the D-I level and has been a competent program overall ,and should remain so, even after losing four starters from last year. Forward Yoav Berman, who averaged 8.2 ppg as a freshman, has the chance to be the breakout player for them. The key newcomer to watch will be Avante Parker, a 6’9 forward from Georgia Southern who averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.8 rpg in two years.
5. Loyola Maryland Greyhounds (H)
2024-25 season record: 12-19 (6-12 Patriot League)
It’s been 12 years since the Greyhounds have finished over .500 in league play and overall, but this upcoming season could be their best shot. Three of the team’s top four scorers are back, including double-digit scorers, Jacob Theodosiou (13 ppg) and Jordan Stiemke (12.1 ppg), along with sophomore guard, Braeden Speed. Air Force transfer Sam Springer is the lone newcomer from the portal, so we’ll see if the returning core is good enough to take a leap next season.
4. Sacred Heart Pioneers (H)
2024-25 season record: 15-18 (10-10 MAAC)
One of the best returning players Duquesne will face in the non-con is Anquan Hill, a 6’9 forward who produced 12.8 ppg and 5.7 rpg last season. Guards Nyle Ralph-Beyer and Makhi Conner are back for their sophomore campaigns after strong first years. At the same time, the team added two expected impact transfers in Dashon Gittens (8.2 ppg at Florida International) and Yann Farrell, who comes over from ECU and started two years at St. Bonaventure in the past.
3. Nevada Wolf Pack (A)
2024-25 season record: 17-16 (8-12 Mountain West)
Seven of the top eight scorers are gone for the Wolf Pack, but they do bring back Tyler Rolison, who averaged 7.4 ppg and 2.0 apg in the backcourt. Joining him in the backcourt is Tayshawn Comer, a 6’1 guard from Evansville who produced 16.2 ppg and 4.1 apg last season. Corey Camper is a 6’5 double-digit scorer from UTEP, while Elijah Price put up 10.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg at Fresno State and is a proven Mountain West contributor.
2. Boise State Broncos (A)
2024-25 season record: 26-11 (14-6 Mountain West)
The Broncos are without star forward Tyson Degenhart, but do bring back a pair of key forwards in Andrew Meadow (12.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg) and Javan Buchanan (9.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg). There’s also Drew Fielder, a transfer forward and former top-100 prospect from Georgetown. The key to them will be UCLA transfer Dylan Andrews (6.9 ppg and 3.4 apg), who is set to run the backcourt as the next Boise lead guard.
1. Villanova Wildcats (A)
2024-25 season record: 21-15 (11-9 Big East)
After a coaching change, only Tyler Perkins (6.3 ppg) returns from last season’s roster. In comes Coach Kevin Willard from Maryland, along with two notable transfers in guard Devin Askew (18.9 ppg and 4.5 apg at Long Beach) and Duke Brennan, who produced 10.4 ppg and 9.2 rpg at Grand Canyon. However, their best player may end up being Adaden Lewis, a top-30 incoming freshman guard prospect who could be their go-to player.