The Duquesne men’s basketball team might not have a completed schedule or home court, but in a few days they could know where their season will begin.
According to a report from Shannon Russell of the Courier-Journal, Duquesne is one of a handful of programs that have signed on to compete in a non-conference bubble at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.
A source close to Duquesne Athletics tells DK Pittsburgh Sports that nothing is official and that the Dukes are “exploring a number of non-conference opportunities.” However, if the report comes to fruition, the Dukes would find themselves in a very competitive and exciting field to start the year.
Three of the five teams connected to the bubble were highlighted in Jon Rothstein’s 10 mid-majors to watch for the 20-21 season. Those teams are Western Kentucky, Arkansas-Little Rock and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. They, along with Winthrop, Duquesne and host Louisville make a six-team field. Each of the six programs rumored to be involved won 20 or more games last season.
Sources claim Louisville is looking to fill an eight team field. Competition would reportedly start on November 25, the approved start date of the 2020-2021 men’s college basketball season. There is no word on how many games would be played and when the bubble competition would come to an end.
A few weeks ago, Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot expressed his mixed feelings about his team partaking in a bubble located competition to start the season.
“We’re trying to decide what we want to do with it,” Dambrot said. “What is in the best interest of our players both physically and emotionally. A lot of people think that non-conference games should be in the bubble. I agree with parts of that because I think it’s most safe, physically. But you look at the NBA and they’ve had a lot of mental anguish over it.”
“ ... We can go in a bubble for three-and-a-half weeks and then go right into the conference season but is the mental grind of that, not seeing family, not seeing friends, not being able to do anything but stay in a hotel room, good for the guys? Obviously it’s the safest way physically but is that the best thing for them mentally? I’m really trying to decide what is best for them.”
Dambrot told DK Pittsburgh Sports that he had spoken with his team, staff and even other college coaches to get an idea of their stance on the bubble. Ultimately, with the full season schedule expected to come out within the next few weeks, the Dukes decision will soon become clear.