Dukes Open Home Weekend Against Texas State

History links

James Madison Dukes (11-4, 2-0 SBC) vs. Texas State Bobcats (7-8, 0-2 SBC)

January 5, 2023 – 7:00 p.m

Harrisonburg, Va.. — Atlantic Union Bank Center

Game links
Live Stats · Video: ESPN+ · Audio Stream

Tickets · JMU Game Notes

JMUSports.com · @JMUMBasketball · #GoDukes

TxSt.com · @TXStateMBB

QUICK HITS James Madison men’s hoops will begin 2023 at the Atlantic Union Bank Center as the Dukes play their first conference game at home in the Sun Belt against Texas State on Thursday night. Duke’s first Sun Belt Conference is off to a flying start, with JMU picking up a key 72-66 win at Marshall last time out to improve to 2-0. The Dukes built a double-digit lead in the first half and regained that advantage with a 15-3 run in the second half. The win improved JMU rankings to 43rd in the NET and 71st in Kenpom. JMU is the top Sun Belt school in KenPom and second in the NET, just one spot behind Southern Miss. Redshirt freshman Terrence Edwards led JMU in scoring with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and six rebounds against Marshall. Saturday marked the fifth time this season that Edwards has made six or more field goals and also grabbed at least six rebounds. In their eight wins over Division I opponents, the Dukes have won by an average of 25.4 points, with margins of 48, 35, 26, 19, 17, 36, 16 and six points. By contrast, only one of JMU’s four losses has been by double digits (16 at then-No. 1 North Carolina). In their first 15 games, the Dukes have shot 50% or better from the field nine times, already marking the most such performance since the 2016-17 season. Four players are hitting .600 or better with at least 40 field goal attempts: Justin Amadi (.694), Mezie Offurum (.639), Xavier Brown (.628) and Terrence Edwards (.606). JMU has scored 100 points or more six times this season, the first JMU team to do so since the school’s transition to Division I. Heading into 2023, the Dukes remain one of the top offenses in the country, leading Division I in scoring attacks (89.7) and point differential (24.4). JMU is also tied for 11th in field goal percentage at exactly 50%. Graduate student Alonzo Sule leads JMU in rebounds and blocks, with 72 and 13 on the season. The former Texas State Bobcat has grabbed at least five rebounds in each of his last six games. SCOUTING THE BOBCATS Texas State began conference play with a pair of close losses at home, falling a 57-53 game to ULM to start league play followed by a 55-52 loss to Troy on Saturday. Fifth-year Mason Harrell is averaging 17.9 points per game and is seeing the most of the floor, playing nearly 34 minutes per game. In seven games this year, graduate student Nighael Ceaser is pulling down 9.3 rebounds per game, good for third in the SBC. Texas State ranks last in scoring offense at 65.7 points per game, while ranking ninth in scoring defense, allowing 65.5. SERIES HISTORY This will be the first men’s basketball game between the two schools. GAMEDAY INFO Tickets for the 2022-23 JMU men’s basketball season are available here. All JMU faculty and staff members can receive two (2) free tickets to Thursday’s game by visiting this link and entering your “jmu.edu” email address. Tickets may also be requested on game day at the ticket window with a valid Faculty/Staff JACard. Fans can arrive early to get a free JMU Men’s Basketball Sun Belt Program koozie. Parking is available at the Ballard Parking Deck near the Atlantic Union Bank Center – parking permit holders should enter through the North Entrance of the Ballard Parking Deck, while the South Entrance will remain open for general parking.