Duquesne is off to its best start in 48 years, thanks in large part to a defense that is allowing an average of 56.9 points per game (11th in the nation).

That’s a distinct improvement over coach Keith Dambrot’s first two years at Duquesne. The Dukes, who have yet to play their first Atlantic 10 game this season, allowed an average of 70.2 and 72.3 points during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

Dambrot said “the numbers don’t lie,” but he said there’s room for improvement.

“I don’t think we’re great yet (on defense),” he said.

Meanwhile, he is enjoying his team’s 8-0 start.

Duquesne is one of five unbeaten teams in college basketball and Dambrot said he will allow himself the luxury over the next few days of checking the results of the other four teams’ games (Ohio State, San Diego State, Auburn and Liberty).

“I don’t really care, but I’ll watch it,” he said. “You have to have a little fun in life sometimes, let your hair down, enjoy a few things, be excited about something.

“I’m enjoying it, but I keep pushing them because I know things are never as good as they seem and never as bad as they seem. Reality is somewhere in between.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)