Dueling Dukes: Duquesne, VCU Battle for A10 Crown
The Atlantic 10 conference has been a battlefield all season long, with teams duking it out night after night for prime positioning heading into the conference tournament. On Sunday, that heated rivalry will culminate with a showdown between the Duquesne Dukes and VCU Rams for the A10 championship crown.
Both teams had to grind their way through the tournament bracket to reach this point. Duquesne knocked off Saint Louis, Dayton, and St. Bonaventure with strong team defense and the scoring prowess of Dae Dae Grant and Jimmy Clark III. VCU took down Fordham, UMass, and Saint Joseph’s behind balanced scoring efforts led by Max Shulga and Joe Bamisile.
The two squads are familiar foes, having split their regular season series with each team defending its home court. But the stakes will be raised in this neutral court battle at the Barclays Center, with an automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line for the winner.
For Duquesne, the key will be to control the pace and force VCU into a half-court grind. The Dukes boast the superior individual talent with Grant, an explosive scorer who can take over a game. If he gets hot from the perimeter, it could open up driving lanes for Clark and David Dixon to attack the paint.
VCU prefers an up-tempo, free-flowing style that tries to create transition opportunities and open 3-point looks. Sean Bairstow’s activity on the glass could be crucial for grabbing rebounds and getting the Rams out and running. Of course, perimeter shooting will also be vital - VCU hit over 36% from deep this season compared to just 33% for Duquesne.
Defense will likely decide this one, however. The Dukes allow just 66.8 points per game on 42.3% shooting, slightly stingier marks than VCU’s 66.8 points allowed on 40.5% shooting. But the Rams have been better at defending the 3-point line, which could neutralize Duquesne’s biggest weapon.
Whichever team is able to impose its preferred style of play will have the upper hand. Duquesne wants a defensive slog in the 60s, while VCU hopes to push the tempo into the 70s or 80s. Foul trouble could prove pivotal as fresher legs get depleted over the course of four games in four days.
In the end, VCU’s balanced, veteran lineup gets the slightest of edges. The Rams have been toughened by their vigorous non-conference schedule and should be better prepared for this type of high-intensity, high-stakes environment. Shulga, Bamisile, and Jackson are all experienced players who won’t wilt under the bright lights.
Look for VCU’s swarming defensive pressure to make life difficult on Grant and Clark, disrupting Duquesne’s rhythm just enough to claim a hard-fought, low-scoring victory and the Atlantic 10 championship.
VCU 65, Duquesne 61