What is the true identity of this Duquesne men's basketball team?

Don't ask coach Ron Everhart -- try as he might, even the guy in charge can't figure it out.

With 11 games down, and the 12th one to be played tonight, the definition of the Dukes is, well, that they have yet to be fully defined.

"I just can't figure it out," Everhart said. "Sometimes, I don't know what to think. But I'll tell you, we are going to find out a whole lot about these guys in the next few games. It is like sometimes we run in sand, but then other times we make great plays to win games. Again, I just cannot figure it out."

The Dukes are 8-3 as they head into a non-conference game at IUPUI (8-3) at 7 p.m. today in Indianapolis. At times this season, they have looked like a team that can contend for an Atlantic 10 Conference title, while at other times, they have struggled.

Which Duquesne team will climb off the bus after heading 325 miles to play IUPUI?

Will it be the Dukes team that is tough on the defensive end of the floor, the one that held Canisius to 12 field goals in its final 45 shots in a double-overtime win Wednesday? Or will it be the Duquesne team that makes fans moan every time they step to the free-throw line?

Duquesne is 340th of 347 Division I teams in free-throw percentage at 57.5 percent (134 of 233 attempts).

"In all honesty, we need to get to ball to the people at the end of games who can make free throws," junior swingman Bill Clark said. "That could make life much easier."

More consistency from Clark also could make things easier for the Dukes.

"Last year I thought he was one of the best shooters in the Atlantic 10," Everhart said.

Clark, a junior, began the season on a good note, hitting four 3-pointers against Iowa, five against Binghamton, three against Arkansas-Monticello and six against Pitt Dec. 2.

But he is 2 for 17 from beyond the3-point line in his past four games.

Asked what was wrong with his shooting after he went 0 for 6 against Canisius, Clark abruptly said, "I don't know, I don't know."

Even as this team has struggled to score, scoring 66.4 points per game (numbers that are way down in the Everhart era), the Dukes have battled for victories because of their defense.

The Dukes have won five games by nine points or fewer -- three by five or fewer -- and have won two of the three overtime games they've played.

"These kids fight to their death," Everhart said. "And from an effort standpoint, I sure can't fault anyone on this ballclub."

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.