Plenty of Local Options for College Basketball Fans.

While Pitt’s big win over West Virginia grab most of the headlines, there are some other local teams making news. If you can’t make it to a sold out Pitt game, Robert Morris leads their conference, and Duquesne is a respectable 12-6. In Division II women’s IUP and Cal our both top ten teams heading into their big showdown Wednesday night. In men’s D2, I saw a nationally ranked Gannon team defeat a 14-2 IUP squad Saturday night. I think every local high school basketball player should make it point to get to a few IUP games each year. Division II offers a much more team oriented game, and in a smaller gym you can get feel for the quickness and movement of the game. Tickets are cheap, and if you basketball you should try making it to a local college game.

Ray Goss & Duquesne vs. Pitt

Duquesne play by play broadcaster Ray Goss was on Rizzo Sports Weekly this week talking about his new book " MisAdventures in Broadcasting"





If you're interested in Ray's book, you can order from his website RayGoss.com

Ray will working tonight Wednesday's "City Game" between Pitt and Duquesne. Here's what I had to say about that game in Kittanning Paper.

Forgotten “City Game” Tonight

Tonight Pitt will host Duquesne, in what is known as the “City Game”. This game was once one of the premier sporting events in the city, but this year’s game won’t even be on TV. You’ll have to listen to last night’s guest Ray Goss on the radio if you want it live. I already mentioned in a previous column this could and should be the year Pitt makes a Final Four. The Panthers should win, as they have a huge advantage inside. The Dukes are weak in the paint this year, but should battle near .500 in the A10. An upset would do wonders to build interest back up, but don’t count on it happening tonight. If Duquesne coach Ron Everhart can keep on the current path, hopefully this game will once again be a must see event.

Ray Gross Featured in National Article.

Show guest, and fellow WTYM 1380 announcer Ray Goss, was featured in article by Alan Robinson. Goss is most known for his work covering Duquesne basketball, but local fans will probably know him for Ford City football.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=Ah6rNr0KetgAbflIExY_L_0k07YF?slug=ap-losinghisvoice&prov=ap&type=lgns

Duquesne Basketball 2007-08 NCAA Preview

Recently I had Duquesne Dukes play-by-play man Ray Goss on RSW. Here is a little of what he had to say



By all accounts the Dukes should be on the rise this year. They will be led by Shawn James, a transfer, who is on pace to break the NCAA career blocks record. James' has so much talent he might leave for the NBA at the end of this season.

One of the hallmarks of last year's team was their 5 on 5 off subsisitions which led to a fast paced game. Look for more that same approch this season or at least until January. The Dukes should have good balance at a lot of positions and junior gaurd Arron Jackson has worked hard to improve, and 5 year man Keiron Achara, could be near a double double every night.

Season ticket sells are way up at the Palumbo Center, and the A10 could be anyone's league.

Duquesne Dukes 2007 - 2008 Men's Basketball Schedule

Duquesnse Basketball, Unlike anything You've seen Before

Why? - Because they sub the whole team in and the whole team out, and they press, press, press, and run, run, run.

Duquesne Basketball is quickly becoming the “story” in Pittsburgh this winter. Well to be honest it seemed like everyone in the local media forgot to cover the Dukes, when the season started. If you remember not too long ago I had Duke’s play-by-play Ray Gross on RSW, and it really seemed like Dukes where hoping to make the A10 tournament. Meaning the Dukes who at the beginning of year were only dressing 7 guys where hoping they could finish above the top 3 in the league above the bottom two to go to Atlantic City. However the Dukes, will be going to Atlantic City, you can bet on that, they are now 5-4 in the conference and looking for their fifth win a row. I was at the Xavier game were the crowd of 2,700+ was their largest in years, but on even half of the 6,200 seats in the Palumbo center. Basketball fans up until now have been missing something very special, the Dukes who now field 10 guys, play all 10 guys, and sub 5 five guys in and 5 guys out. They press the whole game, and frequently scored over 100 points a game. It’s like night and day comparing them to the cross-town Pit Panthers. I’m guessing when A10 leaders Rhode Island comes to town this weekend, a few more people might be enjoy their pace of play.