March Madness is alive and well. The NCAA Tournament field will be released later on this Selection Sunday. But, before we got there, one more team officially punched their ticket, and they did it in historic style. The Duquesne Dukes will dance for the first time since the 1970s!
The Dukes earned their first tournament bid in 47 years, with the last time they participated in the event being back in 1977.
We’re talking pre-Magic and Bird days here, ladies and gentlemen. It’s been a very long time.
"First time in 47 years! Duquesne is going to the NCAA Championship Tournament! The A-10 champion Dukes of Duquesne! Now the confetti falls at the right time." – Kevin Harlan 🏀🎊🎙️🕺 https://t.co/b6ecfeBLGc pic.twitter.com/WK4pFXa8GJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 17, 2024
Duquesne boasted about their dramatic run through the Atlantic-10 Tournament and their victory with a celebratory post on X. “BELIEVED,” they posted, with a graphic featuring the team.
BELIEVED. pic.twitter.com/TvigFCnin2
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) March 17, 2024
The Dukes won 57-51 over the VCU Rams, who are no stranger to March. As history reminds us, VCU busted a lot of brackets back in 2011 when Shaka Smart first emerged into the college basketball landscape. VCU has a strong program and is constantly competing to be the best in the A-10. So Duquesne’s win certainly came earned.
MADE FOR MARCH.#GoDukes | #A10MBB pic.twitter.com/XahJV9pI4W
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) March 17, 2024
Hilariously, one aspect of the game that also had people talking? Confetti fell prematurely from the rafters of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. CBS’ Kevin Harlan had a blast calling that action, as he so often does.
"Confetti is falling on the floor! They're gonna have to stop play! We can't see our notes! The players can't work on this court! CONFETTI IS EVERYWHERE! SOMEBODY HIT THE WRONG BUTTON!" – Kevin Harlan 🏀🎊🎙️🤣pic.twitter.com/ExbDTlMJJX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 17, 2024
In all, it’s a historic Sunday for the Duquesne Dukes. Later on, they’ll hear their names called on Selection Sunday as they earned their way into the NCAA Tournament. The only thing to wonder will be where they will be seeded. For what it’s worth, Bracket Matrix projects them as a 12-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The sports world had much to say about the historic win.
EVERYTHING'S COMING UP DUKES!
Duquesne is off to the dance! pic.twitter.com/F4EFER9C5U
— The Sickos CBB Committee (@SickosCBB) March 17, 2024
Duquesne is dancing for the first time since 1977 (!!)
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 17, 2024
Duquesne advances to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1977!
What was the world like the last time Duquesne played in March Madness?
– Star Wars hit theaters
– Al McGuire led Marquette to the national title
– Tom Petty released "American Girl" https://t.co/VopAyG055M— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 17, 2024
Duquesne is dancing. Keith Dambrot, LeBron James’ high school coach, takes the Dukes there for the first time since 1977.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 17, 2024
IT HAS HAPPENED! THE DUQUESNE DUKES HAVE WON THE 2024 ATLANTIC 10 TOURNAMENT 🏆
THE DUKES ARE GOING DANCING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1977 🕺 pic.twitter.com/mwGOL7PZBI
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) March 17, 2024
The NCAA Tournament begins this week!
