Dambrot: Time is now for Dukes to play better if they want to talk about March Madness

A strange idea was floating around Duquesne on Monday. Some people on campus were talking about March Madness.

Madness on the Bluff?

Who would have thought the Dukes, picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10, would be challenging for first- and second-round byes next week in the A-10 Tournament?

The Dukes (20-8, 10-6 A-10) are tied for fourth — the final double-bye position — with Saint Louis and St. Bonaventure and will play at VCU on Tuesday night before returning home to meet Richmond on Friday night at PPG Paints Arena in the final two regular-season games.

“We have enough ability, if we’d get our head out of our behinds, to make a run in the tournament,” coach Keith Dambrot said. “Sure, you’ve got to make some shots and play great, defensively. So we’re big and strong enough, if you get the right draw … but we’ve got to go. We can’t wait anymore.”

The A-10 Tournament is March 11-15 at Barclays Center in New York.

The Dukes are coming off their 20th victory Saturday for just the third time in 48 years.

An especially contentious Dambrot wasn’t interested in small talk before, during or after Monday morning’s chippy practice at the Dukes’ makeshift, fourth-floor facility at the university’s Power Recreation Center. Dambrot continually stalked the floor and barked at his players. Some of them jabbed back, but none would come away satisfied.

“We should have a lot of fun, but I took the boxing gloves off,” Dambrot said. “It’s time now. We’ve got to go because we’re capable of winning and playing better. I don’t really care what they think right now. I’ve been in postseasons. They haven’t. I’ve been to VCU. They haven’t.

“If they’re mad at me, they’re mad at me. But we’re better than we’ve played. (It’s getting late) in the season. It’s time we achieve to what we should achieve. And that’s how I feel about it.”

Duquesne junior Michael Hughes, who has scored 18 points in each of the past two games — the Dukes won at St. Bonaventure three days before holding off visiting George Mason — continued an entertaining schtick of joining reporters with his tape recorder in hand.

It has become a bit of a novelty on days Dambrot holds court with the media.

“As far as practice habits over the past six weeks, he’s the best one we’ve had,” Dambrot said, pointing to the 6-foot-8 Hughes, who was wearing his typical sneer while keeping an arm outstretched and holding the recorder. “I give him a lot of credit, man. He turned that switch and he quit messing around. Reporter Hughes said, ‘Enough’s enough. I’m going to come to practice hard every day.’

“Look, this guy has been a consistent player for us, and he’s practicing harder, which it has a huge effect on our team.”

Hughes is third on the team in scoring (10.2 ppg), second in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and tops in steals (43). His 2.5 career blocks per game ranks second all time at Duquesne.

As he prodded his players to work harder, Dambrot was hoping to energize their approach for the remainder of the season. He often has expressed his “love” for them, and he will continue to trust that they will respond.

“Why put in all the time and not get what you want?” he said. “Twenty (wins) is great, but they can’t think I’m satisfied with 20. What I told them before, when VCU was in the Colonial (Athletic Association), they finished fourth, got knocked out in the tournament (championship game) and then went to the Final Four.”

For Dambrot, there likely are a few of Duquesne’s eight losses that stick in his craw, and perhaps that is what’s feeding his fury.

Take, for example, the one that occurred nearly a week ago against George Washington at PPG Paints Arena. The Colonials (12-17, 6-10) have lost three games in a row since that 70-67 victory over the Dukes.

And there have been other lowlights this season, the three-game losing streak at the end of January chief among them.

“Look, I’ve got them to this point being nice and friendly. Now, I’m going to be unfriendly,” Dambrot said. “I love them, but I want to get what I want to get now. And I want them to get what they want to get. So, I know how to do it. I don’t care.

“I don’t care if it’s disfunctional. I don’t care if it’s confrontational. I don’t care if it’s conflictual. I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to make sure they’re ready to play.”