Mar 12 / Todd

This One’s for You JMU Nation

This happened tonight:

Start Wearing Purple!

 

And for once, we have no words to describe our feelings about a JMU sporting event.  We’ve all got over a week to cover all the angles and you can find a zillion game stories all over the place, but after a second DC to Richmond run in as many days and a little celebratory Copper Fox Single Malt, we’re kind of cooked.

Oddly, a night like tonight leaves us with nothing but gratitude for everyone that has supported our little project here at JMUSB over the last three plus years.  So we hope all of you will use the comments to write this post from all those aforementioned angles!  For now, congrats to everyone associated with JMU Men’s Hoops, the Pep Band, and all the loyal members of JMU Nation that have hung in there with dorks like us through the last 19 years.

Back tomorrow with thoughts on the serious stuff and accolades all around, but for tonight, just enjoy this thought as you unwind: Selection Sunday really takes on a whole new meaning this weekend doesn’t it?!

17 Comments

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  1. Jamie Mottram / Mar 12 2013

    This is so cool. Very happy for JMU fans everywhere, but especially for you guys. And how cool is it that we get to watch Selection Sunday and care about who the Dukes get matched up with?

  2. 2004 Duke / Mar 12 2013

    I’ll admit, I gave the team no chance of winning this thing. Zero. So proud of our guys for finally stepping up and playing up to their ability!

    Some random thoughts:
    1. I’m going out of my way to get payback by rubbing this in ODU alums’ faces.

    2. The pressure is on Matt Brady now to remain competitive next season and not be “one-and-done”

    3. How much should we thank ODU, Towson, UNC-W and VCU for this? Two of them will be back next season.

    4. The pressure is on Mickey Matthews to get his mess together and not become the weak link in the athletic department.

    5. Tip of the hat to Jeff Bourne for hiring Matt Brady, at tremendous risk, expense, and headache. Glad might be working out.

    6. If the hoops team can make this the new standard and give the JMU Nation a reason to care, we have the potential to turn the Convo into a serious mid-major homecourt, if last night’s crowd was any indication.

    7. People on espn are saying “JMU is going to get killed in the NCAA Tourney”. So what? Most 15 seeds do. If we can be a 13-15 seed consistently for the next 5 years and pull just one upset, I’m happy.

    GREAT JOB GUYS…. GO DUKES!

  3. Uncle Ron / Mar 12 2013

    It was really fun watching this game, although I was getting a little nervous when JMU was having trouble breaking the full court press in the second half. It was really a treat to watch the CAA tournament games in glorious HD, and last night it looked very Electric Zoo-like in there with all of the JMU fans. Hard to believe it was almost 20 years ago when I was a freshman watching us get edged out by eventual Final Four team Florida in round one of the NCAA tournament. Really excited JMU is back in the big dance!

  4. Devon / Mar 12 2013

    I’m sorry for doubting you guys when you said JMU could actually make a run…

  5. '04 Duke / Mar 12 2013

    The NCAAT is all about matchups. JMU matches up really well against smaller teams that don’t have a dominant post player. We’ll need a favorable matchup to have a chance to spring an upset. If we run into a team that has a couple of 6’9 and 6’10 big men, we could be in trouble.

    But we’re going to surprise some teams with just how athletic we are. Our lineup is all 6’5 and 6’6 across the board. Everyone (except Goins) can run and jump out of the gym. It gives us the flexibility to switch all ball screens on defense and contest shots. On offense, every one of our players can create their own shot. That’s not something you can say about most teams. It’s an exciting brand of basketball to watch and I’m looking forward to watching it for at least one more game.

  6. Joe Tom / Mar 12 2013

    2004 Duke, you’re spot on, going into the tournament I didn’t know if this team had what it took to rattle off 3 straight wins, but after gutty close wins in the first two games they came out and dominated Northeastern from the tip off. I thought for sure this would be Brady’s last year at JMU but I think this buys him at least another 3 years and congrats to him for pulling it off and bringing JMU another CAA title. I noticed on the latest Bracketology projection going into last night’s game Northeastern was a 16 seed, so barring any upsets in the other mid-major conferences I’d have to think we’re a 16 seed as well and while I don’t like our chances of being the first 16 to beat a 1 seed, just making it to the tournament and ending this drought has made this a successful season in itself.

  7. Sean / Mar 12 2013

    It happened guys! AAHHHH

    I could NOT care less there was only 7 teams in the tourney. Guess what? 7 teams had a chance to take advantage of that and JMU was the team that did, 6 didn’t. We EARNED this win! And sweet goodness does it feel good!

  8. Luke / Mar 12 2013

    That was an amazing game!! What a way to cap off a senior year (both for our players, and some students like me). Definitely worth skipping some classes, and I was glad to see so many others make the trip as well. I’ve often been a critic of the atmosphere at Convo (more to do with how JMU sets it up than the fans, but still), it was awesome to see the Coliseum rock with purple. Those poor NU fans never had a chance in that building. And congrats to the JMU pep band too!! If pep bands were scored like basketball games, JMU’s would always win by at least 30.

  9. Steve J. / Mar 12 2013

    Great win!

    Let’s hope this translates into some recruiting wins as well.

  10. Shady_P / Mar 12 2013

    Awesome job last night to the TEAM, PEP BAND, and JMU NATION. All of the above showed up and represented and OWNED the Richmond Coliseum!!!!

  11. '99 Duke / Mar 12 2013

    First game attended since my student days and well worth the quick rescheduling and > 1hr drive to the Coliseum last night. That place was rocking with JMU fans!

    I was impressed with the whole team, coaching decisions and especially the all around play of freshman Andre Nation (10 pts., 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks). He plays hard and seems to have a fun time doing it. I look forward to seeing his contributions over the next few years.

    This is also my first comment, but I’ve been an avid reader of this blog for the last couple years. Keep it up guys!

    Finally, great choice celebrating with a little Copper Fox last night. I broke out my Balvenie DW, but I’ve got CF rye aging in a small cask at home. Can wait to try it in a couple months.

    Go Dukes!

  12. Andrew G / Mar 12 2013

    awesome. unreal. one of coolest moments of my life down on that court. thanks to the blog for keeping us up to date. unfortunately, like above, latest bracketology has us as 16 seed. i really thought wed be a little higher, but well have to see how other conferences shake out. good news is they have us in philly plus a play-in in dayton, so both of those are very doable.

  13. Tremonkey / Mar 12 2013

    Got this from a colleague this morning at the bottom of an email to a workgroup, so good. He was THERE in ’94:

    PS – as avid sports fans, I’m sure all will join me in tip of the hat to the 2013 CAA champion JMU men’s basketball team, who clobbered #1 seeded Northeastern last night for the conference title and an automatic bid to the Big Dance. This is JMU’s first time in the NCAAs since winning the CAA title in 1994…in a thrilling game at which a young 5th year senior named [REDACTED] was on hand to enjoy. GO DUKES!!!!!!!!

  14. 2004 Duke / Mar 12 2013

    I’ve re-read this post 3 times today just to make sure it is real.

Trackbacks and Pingbacks

  1. JMU Is Dancing Like It’s 1994 | Mr. Irrelevant, a D.C. Sports Blog by the Brothers Mottram
  2. This One’s for You JMU Nation | CAAZone.com
  3. JMU Is Dancing Like It’s 1994 | CAAZone.com
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