Dru Joyce III is heading into his first year as head coach of the Duquesne men’s basketball program, just five years after concluding his playing career.
Joyce has high expectations for his Duquesne squad, and is looking to go even further than last year. To learn more about what Joyce brings to the table for the Dukes, I sat down with him on Tuesday and broke down his coaching journey, his relationship with Keith Dambrot, his thoughts on this year’s team, and much more. Check out the interview here or by clicking the link below.
Duquesne is entering year one of the Dru Joyce III era. Last year’s team won the Atlantic 10 Tournament and took down BYU in an NCAA Tournament upset, and now, Keith Dambrot has retired and Joyce has taken over. The Dukes return Jakub Necas, Jake DiMichele, Kareem Rozier, and David Dixon, while bringing in a loaded transfer class that includes Tre Dinkins, Eli Wilborn, Cam Crawford, Jahsean Corbett, Alex Williams, and Max Edwards.
In the men’s poll, Duquesne placed eighth in the preseason poll, but did receive a first-place vote.
1. VCU (14) 421
2. Dayton (6) 394
3. Saint Joseph’s (5) 376
4. Saint Louis (2) 371
5. Loyola Chicago (2) 368
6. George Mason 262
7. Richmond 230
8. Duquesne (1) 222
9. Massachusetts 215
10. St. Bonaventure 210
11. Rhode Island 159
12. Davidson 118
13. George Washington 111
14. Fordham 80
15. La Salle 62
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Nate Santos Dayton
Des Watson Loyola Chicago
Erik Reynolds II Saint Joseph’s
Robbie Avila Saint Louis
Gibson Jimerson Saint Louis
Max Shulga VCU
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Posh Alexander Dayton
Darrius Maddox George Mason
Darren Buchanan Jr. George Washington
Xzayvier Brown Saint Joseph’s
Joe Bamisile VCU
Zeb Jackson VCU
Preseason All-Conference Third Team
Reed Bailey Davidson
Rahsool Diggins Massachusetts
Miles Rubin Loyola Chicago
Jaden House Rhode Island
Rasheer Fleming Saint Joseph’s
Isaiah Swope Saint Louis
Preseason All-Defensive Team
Posh Alexander Dayton
Enoch Cheeks Dayton
Abdou Tsimbila Fordham
Miles Rubin Loyola Chicago
Zeb Jackson VCU
PSN’s Zachary Weiss had Duquesne’s Atlantic 10 media vote, and this was how he voted.
1 VCU
2 Saint Louis
3 Dayton
4 Duquesne
5 Loyola Chicago
6 Saint Joseph’s
7 George Mason
8 Richmond
9 Massachusetts
10 St. Bonaventure
11 Rhode Island
12 George Washington
13 Fordham
14 Davidson
15 La Salle
Zac’s Preseason All-Conference First Team
Erik Reynolds II Saint Joseph’s
Max Shulga VCU
Robbie Avila Saint Louis
Nate Santos Dayton
Zeb Jackson VCU
Isaiah Swope Saint Louis
Zac’s Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Gibson Jimerson Saint Louis
Joe Bamisile VCU
Rahsool Diggins Massachusetts
Darren Buchanan Jr George Washington
Des Watson Loyola Chicago
Connor Kochera Davidson
Zac’s Preseason All-Conference Third Team
Xzayvier Brown Saint Joseph’s
Maximus Edwards Duquesne
Tre Dinkins III Duquesne
Javon Bennett Dayton
K.D. Johnson George Mason
Melvin Council Jr St. Bonaventure
Zac’s Preseason All-Defensive Team
Miles Rubin Loyola Chicago
Justice Ajogbor Saint Joseph’s
Abdou Tsimbila Fordham
David Dixon Duquesne
Darren Buchanan Jr. George Washington
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