Duquesne’s Dae Dae Grant and Jimmy Clark III make up one of the most exciting back courts in the country at the mid-major level.
While the Dukes haven’t exactly lived up to expectations so far this season, with a pair of guards like Clark and Grant, it’d be tough to count them out when it comes to an Atlantic 10 Tournament run. Both of them can clearly score the basketball. But the ways that Clark and Grant find the bottom of the bucket are what makes them especially fun-to-watch and serious threats in the A10s.
Clark, the Covington, Georgia native, is quietly having an excellent year, averaging career-high numbers in points and assists per game. He has scored in double figures in each of his last six games, and dropped a team-best nine assists on Wednesday. Clark is once again averaging more than two steals per contest, following up last year’s A10 All-Defensive season with another strong effort on that side of the ball. His defensive efforts, explosiveness, and knack for the ball make him a special play. He has the ability to run the point and play off the ball, and showcased that on Wednesday night.
To close out Duquesne’s win over La Salle, Clark flew through the air for a one-handed slam, igniting the Dukes’ crowd one last time. Clark finished with 22 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in the win, while Grant added six points, six rebounds, and four dimes.
Although Grant had an uncharacteristic low-scoring night on Wednesday, he still made his presence felt in the win. With a late step-back jumper, Grant had the crowd in awe, as he does most games on the bluff. This year, Grant has ten games with at least three three pointers this year, and four games with at least six threes. He has hit seven three pointers twice for the Dukes, against Rhode Island and Santa Clara.
It’s time to give the two the attention they deserve heading into conference tournament season. This guard duo has the ability to power Duquesne to an Atlantic 10 conference title.
Duquesne currently sits at 17-11 and 7-8 in Atlantic 10 play on the year.
