Michael Hughes, Marcus Weathers hope to carry Duquesne to winning season
Through it all — the repeated covid-19 tests, cancellations, postponements, the unnecessary trip to St. Louis and the unforeseen roster upheaval — Duquesne’s Michael Hughes is sure of this:
“I don’t want it to end,” he said.
The senior center, who is just as happy recording an assist as a rim-rattling dunk, says farewell to La Roche’s Kerr Fitness Center on Saturday when the Dukes confront Saint Joseph’s (1-13, 0-8) in their last home game away from home.
Starting Tuesday against Dayton, the final four home games will be played at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, the new on-campus facility.
Hughes knows there’s still much work to do for the Dukes (5-6, 4-5) to earn a winning record this season. Hughes and senior forward Marcus Weathers, the team’s leading scorer (13.7 points per game), might be holding that ticket.
They give Duquesne its muscle in the paint. Hughes has recorded three consecutive double-doubles, leads the team in rebounds (7.6) and is second in assists with 23.
“Just the rhythm of the game,” he said of a 6-foot-8 center handing out assists. “Getting my teammates started before I get started. It’s something I’ve always been capable of, something I’ve been showing more of lately.”
Hughes and Weathers assumed increased leadership roles after veteran guards Sincere Carry and Lamar Norman Jr. transferred midseason.
To his credit, Hughes holds no grudge toward his former teammates.
“There are a lot of things that we go through that not many people talk about, that not many people know,” he said.
“I’m going to miss those guys a whole bunch. I just know at the end of the day, it was about making the right decision, not only for them as basketball players. Those guys are people. People can say what they want about Sin and Lamar. I know they made the right decision for themselves and their families and their mental (state of mind).
“Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most. Who cares about Xs and Os and buckets whenever you’re not OK at the end of the day?”
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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