Mar 19 / Rob

Guest Blogger: Why JMU Can Win A Game in the Tourney

Our buddy Bio picked every game of the CAA tournament correctly. So did one other contestant. But one of the tie-breakers, “which guy actually responds to our email about winning the contest?” went Bio’s way. Here’s his take on why the Dukes can pull off an upset. Follow him here and enjoy the tourney. 

JMU is a 16 seed. Excluding the play-in game, a 16-seed has never won a game in the NCAA Tournament. In 1996, Western Carolina came close missed a three-pointer to win in the final seconds, losing 73-71 to Purdue. If JMU can survive against LIU-Brooklyn, they will face Indiana. Indiana has 2 likely lottery picks and offensive and defensive efficiency ratings in the top 20. IU is not a bad pick to take the title. It will be tough sledding.

In the NCAA tournament, there is a common formula for success. Take care of the ball, play good defense and rebound. JMU takes care of the ball. They averaged only 11 turnovers per game, which is good enough for #22 in the NCAA. Their turnover margin ranked #32. Guard play is a strength of this team. The Dukes started 3 different players at point guard this season. They can handle the ball and break a press.

The Dukes are excellent defenders. Don’t believe me? Ask Brian Mull of the Star News (Wilmington, NC) He knows more about CAA basketball than anyone. JMU has quick, players with long wingspans. They get theirs hands in the passing lanes and disrupt offenses. They average 8 steals a game.

JMU is undersized. Apologies to Rayshawn Goins, they are not particularly good rebounders. If you have every played basketball at a competitive level, you know that rebounding often comes down to hustle, effort and “who wants it more”. JMU can control how well they rebound. If they focus on it, they can improve greatly in a short time.

The wild card in the tourney is senior leadership. Battle tested, senior led squads often outperform ultra-talented groups of youngster. The tournament rewards experience. It rewards character. The seniors, Devon Moore, AJ Davis and Rayshawn Goins stepped up throughout the CAA tournament. Whenever the game was on the line, they made plays.

Why can JMU advance in the tournament? Because Valpo. Because Bucknell. Because Lehigh. Because Norfolk State. Because Santa Clara….Because its March.

Photo courtesy of jmusports.com

10 Comments

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  1. Sean / Mar 19 2013

    My excitement is ridiculous Lehigh

  2. Rob / Mar 19 2013

    LOL. I guess there is no statute of limitations on making fun of a Duke loss for a UNC fan, huh Sean?

  3. 2004 Duke / Mar 19 2013

    LOL. I don’t even know what else to say. Kool-aid up.

    Are we really a 16 seed? We are in the play-in game. A 16 seed plays a 1 seed. Being relegated to the play in game makes us worse than a 16 seed in my mind. Maybe even a “not seeded”.

    Rayshawn has made it obvious to me that they are not taking this very seriously, so my JMU Basketball bandwagon balloon has officially been busted. I can promise you that we were not out at night getting wasted and arrested during the NCAA playoffs when I was in school. Kids make mistakes? Stuff it. No they don’t. Idiots make mistakes.

    Is it football season yet?

  4. '04 Duke / Mar 19 2013

    A couple thoughts:

    “The Dukes are excellent defenders.” – Except for AJ Davis. He doesn’t give a sh&t about playing defense.

    “JMU is undersized…they are not particularly good rebounders….rebounding often comes down to hustle, effort and “who wants it more”. JMU can control how well they rebound. If they focus on it, they can improve greatly in a short time.” – That’s nice in theory, but that assumes everyone is the same size/athletic ability. Zeller is going to hustle just as much as our guys, so his size and athleticism will be a pretty big advantage for him.

  5. Bio / Mar 19 2013

    @2004 Duke – Yeah, this article is written from a fan perspective who is drinking large amounts of Kool-Aid. I thought it would be fun to take the fan’s point of view and offer reasons for optimism.

    Goins’ arrest is certainly alarming. As you said, it is also an indication they are not taking the game seriously. They may have a “mission accomplished” mindset.

    @’04 Duke Agree with you on Zeller and co. I am big fan of his game and he always hustles.

  6. 2004 Duke / Mar 19 2013

    Good post, though…. don’t get me wrong.

    I’m just pissed at them acting like a bunch of idiots and blowing their chance to do something useful.

  7. '04 Duke / Mar 19 2013

    Any word on whether or not Goins will have to sit?

  8. Rob / Mar 19 2013

    Yeah. Goins will have to sit out the first half. This morning we updated the post from Sunday about his arrest to reflect this news, but in hindsight it might have merited an entirely new post.

    Punishment fits the crime IMHO. It was dumb, but he’s not a menace.

  9. Sean / Mar 19 2013

    Haha of course not Rob. And I have been using that all season and won’t get old for a while.

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