Opening Day Brings Fresh Hope!

Will the Dukes produce even more All-Americans this year?!

“Play Ball!” – When an umpire yells those magic words THIS Friday somewhere near Myrtle Beach where the Dukes will be opening the season at Coastal Carolina, we can exhale with relief that we can finally avert our eyes, even momentarily, from the nuclear aftermath that is men’s hoops this year.  The defending CAA Champs and NCAA tourney veteran Diamond Dukes have been picked by the conference’s coaches as the preseason favorite for the fourth year in a row and look poised to have another great season.  Junior OF/P Johnny Bladel and Senior LHP Sean Tierney were both selected as preseason All-CAA players.  Tierney was also voted a second-team preseason All American and is expected to lead another strong Dukes pitching staff.

In other news you may not have thought about in a while, check out this gallery from JMU Sports of the construction at University Park on all the new facilities and fields for Soccer, Lacrosse, Track, and eventually JMUSB’s favorite, Field Hockey!  These fields are located in an area out Port Republic Rd. near what feels to old guys like us as if it’s all the way out to Lakeview Golf Course, but to current students is just another part of campus over the hill from UREC.  Absolutely hard to believe, but just incredible how much JMU has done from a facilities standpoint the last five years!

Also, for those who love car crashes like we do, the hoops game tonight (Tuesday) is on ESPN3 at home vs. surprising Georgia St.  If you watch the first half and then a) go to bed or b) break out the mescaline, you’ll be better off.