Pittsburgh News, Ray Mernagh

PITT VS DUQUESNE: CITY GAME PREVIEW

by RAY MERNAGH

Pittsburgh and Duquesne head into this final college basketball game ever at the Civic Arena (or, commercially known as Mellon Arena) with one loss. Both teams are also missing what will be huge pieces of their collective puzzles come January — the Dukes lost their fabulous wing Mel Bolding to a broken wrist while Pitt is still awaiting the return of both Jermaine Dixon (foot) and Gil Brown (academics). Lets take a look at the keys to victory for both sides heading into the 7pm tilt.

How Duquesne can win: One thing Pitt will see a lot of is Damian Saunders (a 6-7 athlete/jack of all trades/really good baller) facing up his man from the free throw line/top of the key and trying to take him off the bounce. Saunders can get to the rim, make good decisions in the passing game, and be a terror following missed shots. He also has a very underrated post-game. He’s a triple-double threat anytime he steps on the court. Tonight is his chance to prove what many already think, that he’s the best college basketball player in Pittsburgh this season. If he does that, the Dukes have a chance. If he settles for too many jumpers it could be a long night because he’s a streaky outside shooter (at best).

Eric Evans is a physical point guard who’s very capable of making big plays down the stretch in close games. Frankly he’s been a disappointment, at least offensively, so far this season. He’s still a tough, tough kid and will be a big test for Travon Woodall. If Evans can get to the cup and draw fouls that would help out the Dukes immensely. Woodall hasn’t shown much defensively on the ball to make me think he can slow Evans’ penetration down.

BJ Monteiro, Jason Duty and Billy Clark have to hit shots like they did in last year’s win over Xavier. Ron Everhart has played a rotation of 6 or 7 so far this year, relegating his size to the bench for the most part. Part of me thinks he might use that size a little more tonight (Lewinson, Theis and Williams and Peggau are all big bodies).

How Pitt can win: Depth — Pitt has more bodies than the Dukes (especially with Bolding out) unless as noted above Everhart’s been playing possum with those three bigs. They might wear the Dukes down if they get good shots and are patient.

A big game from Dante Taylor AND JJ Richardson on the defensive end. Taylor and Richardon have the potential to match up with Saunders defensively if Pitt is playing man-to-man. Gary McGhee cannot guard Saunders and it’s unfair to expect that of him. I look for Nas Robinson to have some turns guarding Saunders as well.

Potential X-Factors: For Pitt Lamar Patterson/Taylor and Richardson. For Duquesne Andre Marhold, Rodrigo Peggau or Sean Johnson.

Who will win? For the first time in a long time I have no idea. I said two years ago when they played at the Palumbo Center that Sam Young would have to play like a star for Pitt to win (something Young hadn’t done a whole lot of up until then). Young did and Pitt won a pretty close battle. Tonight is a hard, hard game to read for a ton of reasons. My gut tells me Pitt’s too deep but my head tells me some of the Dukes might respond better to the atmosphere initially. I seriously have no clue how this game will go. Another factor to consider is that Duquesne has become a lot better defensively than they’ve been the last few years (Everhart credits assistant Scott Rigot for that).

I’m just hoping it’s fun to watch.

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