The Dukes" remarkable 71-67 triumph over BYU in the NCAA Tournament"s Round of 64 not only marked a monumental achievement for the team but also propelled Duquesne into the Round of 32 for the first time in over five decades.
Celebrate Duquesne! First NCAA tournament win since 1969! @GoDuquesne #wtae pic.twitter.com/zr8i6cPf64
— Andrew Stockey (@astockeyWTAE) March 21, 2024
As the campus buzzed with excitement over the unexpected victory, Robert Edward Healy III, a professor at Duquesne, seized the opportunity to prioritize celebration.
#MarchMadness #ShooShooRahRah pic.twitter.com/ctfq73QszG
— Robert Edward Healy, III (@blufftalk) March 21, 2024
The decision garnered widespread praise, including a shoutout from none other than NBA icon LeBron James, who acknowledged Duquesne"s triumph and the leadership of retiring head coach Keith Dambrot.
AYYYYYYYEEEEE!!! First tournament win in 55 years! @CoachDambrot 🐐 @DuqMBB 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Keep it going
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 21, 2024
Despite entering the tournament as the 11th seed and facing considerable skepticism from pundits and fans alike, the Dukes defied the odds with their gritty performances on the court.
Despite a lackluster shooting performance in the A10 conference tournament final, where they advanced despite shooting just 29.8% from the field against VCU, the Dukes" ability to deliver clutch plays when it mattered most has defined their Cinderella story.
Looking ahead, Duquesne faces a daunting challenge in the form of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Round of 32.
While the odds may appear stacked against them once again, given Illinois" formidable lineup, including their recent victory over Morehead State, the Dukes" journey has already defied expectations.
