The long wait is over. With less than a month until the season is set to begin, the Duquesne men's basketball program finally knows at least a few its opponents this year.
The Dukes will play three games in a five day span at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The first two contests, which will be against UNC Greensboro and Winthrop on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 will be a part of the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic.
Duquesne's third game in Louisville will be on Dec. 3. against Little Rock, which has been deemed a regular, non-conference match up.
As of now, the Dukes will start their season on Nov. 29 against North Carolina Greensboro. Two days later, on Dec. 1 they will face Winthrop and then wrap up the stretch of three games in five days by playing Little Rock on Dec. 3.
The Wade Houston Tipoff Classic is the new name of the Louisville non-conference bubble event that Duquesne has been connected to for nearly a month. Nine total teams will participate in the event that will consist of 18 games in 10 day span, starting on Nov. 25 and ending on Dec. 4.
"We're excited to be part of the field and look forward to facing three quality opponents," Keith Dambrot said. "We'll be playing a pair of defending conference champions in Winthrop and Little Rock - and a third team that won 23 games in UNCG. All three programs are talented, well-coached and have a winning pedigree. It will be a great early-season test for our team."
Game times have yet to be announced. In addition to Duquesne and its three opponents, the event will also feature Seton Hall, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Prairie View A&M and host Louisville.
"Scheduling changes from day-to-day, almost hour-to-hour," Dambrot said. "We are happy to have this opportunity. The University of Louisville has put together a very competitive field, but most importantly, they have the health and well-being of the participating teams at the forefront."
All teams participating must reside within a bubble during their window of competition, meaning they will arrive a few days before their first game to quarantine. Each team must remain within the bubble until their final contest has been played.
The participating programs will be staying at a hotel that is connected to the host venue. Multiple gyms and workout facilities will be made available for teams to train in during their days off. Testing and health protocols established by the ACC will be in place throughout the entire event.
Duquesne athletics tells me additional dates and opponents for the Dukes 2020-21 season will released when finalized. There is a chance one or two more games could be added to the team's schedule before they make the trip to Louisville.
