Duquesne MBB’s Walk Ons Appreciate Role; Historic Run

OMAHA, Neb. — Lucas Perusek and Ethan Anish were sitting in a room surrounded by teammates when Dae Dae Grant walked in carrying a smile and several Paqui chips.

It was time for the one-chip challenge and for Anish time to fulfill a promise he made a couple of months prior that he would take the one-chip challenge.

Seeing how anxious Anish was to take the challenge, Perusek stepped in, eating the chip, after which he had to go a minute without drinking water.

With teammates recording him, Perusek began to experience the effects of the chip, but he remained resolute.

“I obviously wanted someone else to do it with me, so I wasn’t the only one that dealt with the pain,” Perusek assessed. “It was not too bad when I ate it, the next day I was struggling, I’m telling you, I couldn’t sleep that much, my stomach was hurting. It was burning. I felt it, but I also had to show the guys I’m a tough guy.”

Seeing his teammate eat the chips and not feel the full effects gave Anish the green light to try it himself and his results were not nearly the same.

“Lucas handled it like a champ, I did not and that was rough, I would not do that again,” determined Anish. “Lucas ate it first and he looked completely fine, so I said screw it, I’ll do it and within a minute, I was throwing up. I would need a lot to think about enduring the pain that I did in that time.”

Taking the one-chip challenge certainly earned respect from the team, but what’s more, this pair in addition to Seamus McDermott are Duquesne’s walk ons, tasked with help Duquesne get ready on game day to be the best version of itself.

“I’m super appreciative of just being on this team and being able to help my guys out any way possible whether practice or in games bringing energy from the bench,” stated Perusek. “I’m just excited for what’s to come. Being on the scout team you’ve got to really give up yourself and give a role to the other team and learn how they’re playing to get them the best look they can get. I love being on the scout team, it’s a fun time being able to be out there with teammates.”

McDermott discussed how the team was always aware of what the goal was and how everyone’s appreciation has not gone unnoticed.

He openly admits that the 0-5 Atlantic 10 start was tough on everyone, but he expressed a clear pride for rallying together as a brotherhood to get to this point.

“I feel like a lot of outside people probably gave up on us,” he admitted. “Coming into the season we had very high expectations but not everyone’s been in the locker room with us. I feel even when we were 0-5 we had an understanding of an incredible group of guys with incredible character, so I don’t think anyone was worried that we would figure it out.”

This run has been enjoyed with players who have been able to comfortably display their personalities and as McDermott put it, everyone is a good person, creating a great environment overall.

As McDermott cheered on his Dukes during Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game against BYU, he constantly looked at the fan section and noticed that no one was sitting down.

That section included his family who made the trip from Holland, Pa, something which was an already special moment, even great moment for McDermott.

“I pride myself, we all do, on being leaders of this time ways that not everyone might see,” he said. “Bringing the energy and these guys in here let us be leaders. I think it’s going to take some time to realize how special this has been. I was talking yesterday to my parents that it was kind of “unbelievable” in the general sense, but nothing from the day-to-day has been surprising at all.”

Anish, is a City League graduate, playing for Allderdice and having played championships at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, his experience has been special.

Additionally, Anish’s father Eric is the medical director and head team physician for Duquesne Athletics, being involved since 2003.

“Duquesne basketball has been part of my life for years and years,” Anish explained. “It’s been a joy to be a part of and keep a lot of high school coaches, players, definitely a lot of people around Pittsburgh that have a link to the program now.”

One of Anish’s closest friends, Jack Higgins played for Duquesne in the early 2000’s and offered Anish advice as the season continues, namely, to live in the moment.

“This was no surprise to us,” Anish matter of factly said. “We’ve all emphasized who we are in the season, we are this good, we aren’t surprised about this.”

While McDermott missed out on the One Chip Challenge, he did not miss the chance to be front and enter chanting “Let’s Go Dukes” with the little bit of voice he had left with the Duquesne fans mere feet in front of him.

Still it has not hit him yet what this season has meant for so many both in and around the program.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of realization of how special this was for our team and the Duquesne community in general,” he concluded. “They’ve been starving for this for upwards of four decades. Once we get back there and see the reception we get, that is when it will hit how special this one is.”