PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A bus isn’t needed, it’s faster to just walk. It’s 1,584 feet from Duquesne’s home court to the home of the 2026 Atlantic 10 Tournament (PPG Paints Arena). The Dukes are looking for you to help them as they play their first game of the tourney Thursday at 5p.
“You know what, I don’t know what that feeling is going to be like when we walk in that arena,” said Duquesne head coach Dru Joyce. “I don’t know off hand how many blue and red Duquesne shirts we are going to see. I hope we fill it up and I see the whole PPG Paints Arena covered in blue and red.”
Ticket sales can be tricky in a tournament setting as 14 different fan bases are involved in the week-long event in Pittsburgh.
“We should have a good student section out there,” said guard Tarence Guilyard. “The fans from Pittsburgh will be there. It’s great it’s right across the street.”
“It’s amazing, I don’t have to fly anywhere,” said Duquesne senior David Dixon. “I get to stay home. It’s almost like a home court advantage for us. We are hoping all Pittsburgh fans, even Penguins fans, to come see us.”
Two years ago Duquesne made a run in the A-10 Tournament to get back in the NCAAs for the first time since 1976. This year the Dukes are 17-14 and had lost four straight games before a 30-point comeback Saturday beating Richmond.
“It takes everything and then some,” Dixon said of winning a tournament, he was a part of that team two years ago. “It might not be your night the whole tournament, but every play matters, and you will get that opportunity to make a play and you got to do your best at it.”
Dukes are 0-2 against Rhode Island, but more is on the line. As Dixon put it games are 10-times harder this time of year.
They hope the Rams are walking into a hostile environment.
“I guess I’m waiting to see what that atmosphere is going to be like,” Joyce said. “I’m excited for it though and I think our players are as well.”