The 11-seeded Duquesne Dukes rolled into their first NCAA Tournament since 1977. They surely made the best of the moment, as the Dukes upset 6-seeded BYU to start the 2024 NCAA Tournament off right!
Duquesne earned its first NCAA Tournament win since 1969 with the win over the Cougars. The Dukes held BYU down for virtually the entire game, starting it off by pitching a shutout, no less. BYU did its damnedest to get back into the game, but it was just too little, too late.
There was a celebratory atmosphere in the air after the game ended! And for good reason. The Dukes weren’t thought highly of after thieving a bid out of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They were nearly ten-point underdogs, but that didn’t stop them from pulling off a stunner to start Thursday’s action.
🚨NCAA TOURNAMENT UPSET ALERT🚨
DUQUESNE TAKES DOWN BYU IN THE FIRST ROUND!
The Dukes were 9.5-point underdogs. 🏀🔥 #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/rwUQPmizt3
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 21, 2024
It’s a big day for Keith Dambrot, who earned the university’s first tournament win since 1969, and plans to retire after this season. He once coached LeBron James in high school, which became a sticking point this week when LeBron sent the team new shoes.
Keith Dambrot, who was LeBron James’ high school coach & is retiring after this season, just won Duquesne’s 1st NCAA tournament game in 55 years. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/dPvCA9EvZ8
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) March 21, 2024
LeBron jumped online to congratulate his former coach on the huge win.
YEAAAAHHHH @DruOnDemand LFG!!!! Go Dukes @DuqMBB
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 21, 2024
On another note, though, Duquesne’s upset is topical for other reasons. Those in charge of the NCAA Tournament and otherwise seem to want to change everything. Chris Vannini pointed out that this upset, in particular, might be what they’re trying to take away.
Duquesne over BYU is what the NCAA Tournament expansion people want to take away.
Dukes were a bid thief, then they beat a Power conference team.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 21, 2024
The Sickos Committee pointed out just how jarring this win was. Duquesne started A-10 play with an 0-5 record!
Duquesne started A10 play 0-5 lol I love March
— The Sickos CBB Committee (@SickosCBB) March 21, 2024
And as ESPN college basketball writer Jeff Borzello pointed out, statistically speaking, something had to give.
BYU ranked second nationally in 3-point attempt rate entering today. Duquesne was the best 3-point defense in the Atlantic 10.
Something had to give: BYU went 8-for-24 from 3. They made fewer than 8 3s just four times all season.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 21, 2024
In all, congratulations to Duquesne! March Madness is fleeting, so every moment savored is worth it. Hopefully the Dukes take this one and hold it tight.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022