The Best Story in College Basketball That No One Is Talking About: Duquesne Basketball

There have not been many positives for the Duquesne basketball over the past few years. The Dukes have not had a winning season since 1993, not made an NCAA Tournament since 1977 and have combined for only 11 wins the past two seasons.

Despite all of the struggles on the court, the lowpoint for Duquesne basketball came off the court this past September, when five members of the basketball team were shot at a school dance. Sam Ashaolu, the most injured of the five, nearly died at the scene and who's subsequent recovery has been consider a near miracle by doctors.

With all of the off-court tragedy, it would have been easy for the Dukes to just pack it with another losing season. At least they would have an excuse this season.

Then something strange starting happening in Pittsburgh; the Dukes starting winning.

After a rocky 2-7 start, the Dukes have turned it around in conference play. Following yesterday's loss to Rhode Island, the Dukes are 6-5 in conference play, just 2 games out of first place. Overall, the Dukes are still under .500 at 10-12, but when you win 11 games in two years combined, 10-12 is a blessing

Not only are the Dukes winning, but they are fun to watch. Since coach Ron Everhart introduced a new "10 for40" style of play, where the Dukes substitute 5 players every few minutes, the Dukes have been averaging close to 96 ppg.

Despite all of this, little has been made of the remarkable season that Duquesne is having. A few stories here and there, but not as much and there should be in the national media given this remarkable story.

That will all change if the Dukes can manage to win the Atlantic 10 tournament in a few weeks to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. With the way the Dukes are playing, the unbelievable parity in the A10 and all that this team has already been through, it certainly isn't out of the question.