by Sports Xchange

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Fourth-year coach Ron Everhart has embraced tougher scheduling and nothing proves it more than the off-the-charts RPI improvement. Duquesne's RPI has improved by 233 spots since Everhart took over as head coach. It is the biggest improvement among all NCAA Division I programs over the past three seasons. The Dukes made the NIT last season and now has NCAA Tournament hopes, an afterthought before Everhart's arrival.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Eric Evans, SG Melquan Bolding, SF Bill Clark, PF Damian Saunders, PF Bill Clark.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Senior guard Jason Duty, the team's lone senior, was awarded a scholarship for the 2009-10 season in May. Duty, who joined the team as a walk on in November of 2006, was one of four players to start all 34 games last year. The Cranberry Township, Pa., native finished fourth in the A-10 in 3-point shooting at 41.4 percent (55-of-133) and hit at least one 3-pointer in 28 games while averaging 7.4 points.

--G Eric Evans and swingman Melquan Bolding, both sophomores, were named to the 2009 Pittsburgh Basketball Club Pro Am Summer League all-league team. Evans averaged 16 points and just under three assists and three rebounds per game, while Bolding averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game. The league featured players from area Division I schools including Pitt and Robert Morris among others.

--F Rodrigo Peggau, who underwent successful knee surgery last December, was cleared to participate in individual workouts in early September. Peggau, who played in four games last year prior to opting for season-ending surgery, will be classified as a redshirt freshman this season.