When Keith Dambrot played infield for the Akron Zips, he set a school record for getting hit by pitches.

Which, to his way of thinking, toughened him for any hits he’s taken as Duquesne’s basketball coach.

“I got hit with 18 pitches in one year, and I just got hit with five in one week,” he said, referring to recent losses of three starters and two games. “I’m going to keep coming back.

“I’m going to really give it everything I have and make this the ultimate challenge for our team and for me, personally. As long as they don’t hit me in the head and knock me silly.”

The Dukes (3-5, 2-4 Atlantic 10) face another difficult challenge Wednesday when they meet Rhode Island (7-7, 4-3) at La Roche University.

Rhode Island largely has avoided the covid complications that have plagued many teams. Plus, it’s played a difficult schedule, losing to Power 5 schools Arizona State, Boston College and Wisconsin before defeating VCU, 83-68, on the road.

The Rams are led by senior guard Fatts Russell (15.4 points per game) and transfers Jalen Carey (Syracuse) and Makhel and Makhi Mitchell (Maryland).

Duquesne has lost four of its past five games, but Dambrot doesn’t plan to make significant lineup changes.

“It would be irresponsible to knock the whole house down and start over with new things,” he said. “We’re close to winning. We just have to play a little better.”

The Dukes need to make their most improvement on offense after scoring 48 points in three of the past four games. Their field-goal percentage has fallen to 40% (308th of 340 teams) and next-to-last in the Atlantic 10.

After a month of covid-related inactivity, players’ fitness levels also need work. Speaking to reporters Tuesday on a conference call, Dambrot estimated their conditioning at where it would be in late November.

Duquesne has been using five freshmen, including Chad Baker and Toby Okani, who are playing nearly half the time.

“Freshmen aren’t used to having to defend so hard, which takes a lot of their legs and their fitness,” Dambrot said. “They’re used to resting on defense (in high school) and being able to save things for offense. When you play a lot of freshmen, generally you don’t shoot the ball particularly well.”

But he’s been pleased with the defense. Opponents are averaging 65.25 points; only three other A-10 teams are better.

That’s especially impressive when you consider junior point guard Sincere Carry left the team after five games.

“When Sincere wants to, he can guard anybody in the country,” Dambrot said. “He’s one of the premier defenders in the country when he really wants to put emphasis on that side of the ball.”

“That’s one of the things we talked to him about, really building his whole game on that side of the ball. He’s strong as an ox. His knowledge off the ball is high level.”

But Dambrot has been around long enough to know he must deal in reality.

“We have to figure out ways to win with and without,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maceo Austin’s return to practice is good news after the sophomore guard missed three games while dealing with personal issues.

“It was nice for me because I like Maceo,” Dambrot said. “Our ultimate job as a coach is to not only win games, but to make sure we take care of our people through good, bad and ugly and through tough times. If you don’t do that, you’re not worth your salt as a coach.”

Austin might not play Wednesday, which is OK with Dambrot.

“I want to make sure he’s in the right mental framework and that he’s ready to go. If that means all season, that means all season,” he said. “I don’t care at that point.”

“But he looks like he’s getting better to me. I’ve seen smiles on his face at practice. He’s practiced at a high level. I’m just happy for that step right now.”

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