OMAHA, Neb. — Sixth-seeded BYU gained’t solely be preventing towards a proficient Duquesne workforce that gained the Atlantic-10 event on Thursday in an NCAA Event first-round sport. The Cougars should overcome an emotional benefit that may be leaning the Dukes’ approach.
“Sort of ironic that Creighton is in Pittsburgh and we’re in Omaha. Two small Catholic faculties. Hopefully our followers will get behind them and your followers will get behind us.”
— Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot
After main Duquesne to its first Massive Dance look since 1977, Dukes coach Keith Dambrot introduced Monday that this season, his seventh in control of this system from Pittsburgh, can be his final. Dambrot is most recognized for being LeBron James’ former highschool coach.
Wednesday, when Dambrot and three gamers met with reporters forward of Thursday’s 10:40 a.m. MDT showdown with the Massive 12′s Cougars, the coach’s retirement, and the way it will inspire the underdogs, was a recurring theme.
“It has been sort of a whirlwind of feelings the final couple of days. However once more, I believe it really works for us in a optimistic approach as a result of it simply bonds us nearer collectively, will increase our brotherhood,” mentioned Duquesne guard Jake DiMichelle. “I believe it sort of offers us one other incentive to win this sport as a result of we wish to ship him out in the correct approach. He’s by no means gained an NCAA Division I event sport. So we wish to get that for him.”
Tipoff is at 10:40 a.m. MDT and the matchup can be televised by TruTV.
BYU guard Spencer Johnson mentioned he hadn’t heard that Dambrot was retiring, then famous, “So I assume that could possibly be motivating.”
Johnson mentioned BYU’s motivation comes from ensuring that each one the work the Cougars put into the season, from the time final season ended with a loss to Saint Mary’s within the WCC semifinals to now, doesn’t go for naught.
“Now we’re right here, and it’s time to actually present out,” Johnson mentioned.
Dambrot mentioned he thought of making the announcement earlier within the season, like after the Dukes performed Davidson, however didn’t after which his athletic director, Dave Harper, urged him to do it Monday.
“However this isn’t about me,” Dambrot mentioned. “It’s a few bunch of fellows that withstood an 0-5 begin within the league, confirmed sufficient resilience to energy their approach again. That’s what it’s about.”
Dambrot then made a plea to Omaha basketball followers, who largely assist Creighton.
“Sort of ironic that Creighton is in Pittsburgh and we’re in Omaha,” he mentioned. “Two small Catholic faculties. Hopefully our followers will get behind them and your followers will get behind us.”
Dambrot on Wednesday additionally talked about BYU’s gamers’ ages. That’s nothing new. However the descriptions are normally reserved for BYU’s soccer gamers. Loads of BYU’s athletes are older than their counterparts as a result of they serve two-year missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Clearly an older workforce,” Dambrot mentioned. “I believe their common age is 22.7, or one thing like that.”
Dambrot mentioned the workforce within the A-10 that BYU most reminds him of is VCU, the workforce coached by former Utah State coach Ryan Odom that the Dukes beat 57-51 within the A-10 championship sport.
“Very comparable (types), 3-point oriented, very fluid,” Dambrot mentioned. “Difficult as a result of they will stretch you out, however they will additionally rating inside with the massive man (Fouss Traore). The opposite large man (Aly Khalifa) is a pick-and-pop man, which places strain on you as nicely. Strong, level guard (Dallin Corridor), large and robust.”
Dambrot mentioned everyone talks about BYU’s offense — the Cougars common 81.8 factors per sport — however he believes they’re probably the greatest defensive groups within the nation as nicely. BYU offers up 69.9 factors per sport, about three factors extra per sport than Duquesne.
“You’ll be able to inform that coach Pope has been round coach (Rick) Pitino, as a result of they play like an Jap-type workforce. Robust, hard-nosed basketball workforce. So it will be a problem, however similar to among the groups we’ve got performed all year long, like a Richmond, who makes use of quite a lot of that dribble handoff-type factor.
So we’ve got seen quite a lot of what they’ve accomplished. It’s only a matter now of constructing certain that we’re the more durable workforce within the sport,” Dambrot continued. “I believe that’s most likely an underrated factor with Brigham Younger, is they’re robust and hard-nosed. They’ll throw forearms into your chest and take a look at your toughness. I believe that’s one thing that individuals don’t discuss lot about with them.”
Apparently, Dambrot’s father performed for the Duquesne workforce that beat BYU 69-47 in New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard on Dec. 28, 1953.