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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.

Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll

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

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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