Gambling allegations behind him, former standout 'Dupay-ing' the price

About 15 minutes after Wednesday night\'s exhibition game between IU and Nike Elite, Ted Dupay scribbled his autograph on a ticket stub. It's not often exhibition players attract the spotlight. \nBut, Dupay's scenario is different. \nDupay is accustomed to the attention. He garnered a lot of it -- on and off the court -- while playing at Florida during the last three seasons. \nBut things are thrown out of whack for Dupay this fall. \nAfter being accused of gambling and dismissed from coach Billy Donovan's Gator squad because of violating NCAA regulations -- a charge that still doesn't sit well -- Dupay has found himself playing his fiery, shoot-at-will style of basketball for Nike Elite. It's a change he didn't welcome, but one he's taken advantage of.\n"I'm going to keep moving on," Dupay said. "I'm going to keep playing the rest of the year and get in top condition in June for the (NBA) draft."\nA year ago, Dupay looked like a lock for the NBA. His 5-foot-10 frame isn't a NBA standard, but his shooting ability is. Dupay led Florida to the Final Four two seasons ago and was a steady contributor for three seasons. \nSince joining Nike Elite (3-6), Dupay has assumed the point guard duties, a spot where he played during his first two seasons as a Gator and a position he expects to play at the next level. He said he isn't sure where he'll wind up between now and June, but he's been successful thus far on the Nike Elite tour, which concludes next week at Arizona. Dupay is averaging more than 10 points per game and leads the team with six assists per game. \nDupay dropped five three-pointers on IU Wednesday during the Hoosiers' 98-76 victory and scored a team-high 23 points in 37 minutes. His previous tour high was 14, and he's averaged more than 30 minutes per game in Nike Elite's 10 contests.\nDupay has struggled with his shooting (30.9 percent from three-point range), but has nestled in with coach Glenn Sergent's program. \n"Nobody plays harder than Ted Dupay," Sergent said. "He pours out his heart every time on the floor. He's in tremendous shape and he's serious. He loves it that way."\nDupay could have played Division-II basketball or opted for the overseas route, but after being booted from Florida, he searched for an agent. He found Sam Foggin, who doubles as one of Sergent's assistant coaches. Foggin introduced Dupay to Sergent and Nike Elite, and the former Gator bit. \n Wednesday, he was impressive. Dupay went inside and out against a man-to-man defense. On several occasions, he pulled up from 22 feet to fire deep three-pointers and keep Nike Elite withing striking distance. He said the man-to-man defense is something he hasn't seen much of on the team's tour of the East Coast and Midwest. \nInstead, team's have keyed on Dupay's shooting ability and trapped him near midcourt at every opportunity. Wednesday, Dupay appreciated IU's approach.\n "Today was nice because I got to play a little 'real' basketball," Dupay said. "No gimmick defenses."\n IU guards Tom Coverdale and Donald Perry teamed up on Dupay throughout the night and offered the Hoosiers a chance to prepare for Sunday's season opener at Charlotte, where the 49ers up-tempo style mirrors that used by Dupay. \n "He can shoot," IU coach Mike Davis said. "He's a good player and we have to play tight on him. He plays the same way Charlotte does. You can't relax against guys like that."\nDupay hasn't relaxed, and opposing crowds haven't, either. \nWednesday's IU crowd of 11,238 was relatively subdued toward Dupay, but he has often been the subject of deragotory comments, chants and jeers at opposing arenas. Just like the positive attention, the negative vibe is something he's adjusted to. He's had to, given his situation.\n"It's no big deal," Dupay said. "A lot of times, I'm the little white guy. I'm an easy target. That's fine with me. It's all about putting on a show for people."\nAnd accepting a challenge, something he's had plenty of. \n"If you throw a rock at him, you better duck," Sergent said. "He likes a challenge"