Dukes Picked to Finish 5th and Andre Nation Gets 5 Game Suspension
The 2014 CAA Basketball Media Day took place today in Baltimore. Northeastern was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the league. Like JMU, Northeastern only won 11 games last season. The Huskies were a young team though and they’ll be returning four starters, plus Quincy Ford, a double-digit scorer who missed all last season due to injury. William & Mary, led by Preseason CAA Player of the Year Marcus Thornton, was picked second. Hofstra and Drexel rounded out the top four, followed by our lovely alma mater in the fifth spot. The Dukes’ Andre Nation was also honored with a preseason All CAA first team selection. His teammate Ron Curry earned an honorable mention nod.
Preseason polls and all league teams are a fun reminder that the season is almost here, but they’re essentially meaningless. Many JMU fans were paying closer attention to events in Harrisonburg than in Baltimore today anyway. Because that’s where Andre Nation and Tom Vodanovich spent the day in court to face charges that resulted from their fight a few weeks ago. Nation’s assault & battery charges were dropped. The remaining charges will be dropped pending the completion of 60 hours of community service. Vodanovich also received community service in exchange for having his charges dropped. After the court’s decision, JMU officially announced that Nation’s suspension will last five games. Vodanovich’s will be two games.
Matt Brady issued a statement and stressed that Nation is no facing a “zero tolerance” policy. One more screw up, and Nation will be kicked off the team. Nation is undeniably talented. It’s also undeniable that he’s struggled to maintain his focus and has repeatedly made himself a distraction for the team. Both for the sake of Andre and the fans, we really hope he can put the off the court troubles behind him. We’re already elbow deep in “what if?” questions when it comes to JMU hoops under Matt Brady. We’d hate to add another one to that list.
I still believe there are significant issues inside this program that are beyond the abilities and/or willingness of the coaching staff to fix.
What’s your confidence level that Mr. Nation will make it through the entire season as a member of the Dukes.
I put the over/under at the 3rd conference game of the season.
A senior Army leader once penned that ‘hope is not a method’ but I do fervently wish that Mr. Nation gets it figured out before he makes choices which produce consequences beyond just whether or not he can play basketball for a college team.
I think this zero tolerance policy toward Nation, is one offense overdue…..but thankfully this have been stated so it is out there. Now when, not if Nation screws up again I hope JMU has the ‘stones’ to stand behind their ultimatum.
I think the conversation with Nation probably went something like this… “Okay Andre, this is REALLY your last 3rd strike!”. I really think the University has a “3-Strike Rule”. I would really like to see an expose’ piece on whether this is myth or reality and when it applies and who it applies to. i.e. What infractions institute a ‘strike’? failed drug test, public intoxication, arrest, etc.
That is an astute obervation Deacon. I too would think this would fall under JMU’s existing 3-strike policy (2 failed drug test + alcohol related violation add up to GONE to me).
Your guess is as good as mine as to why this does not apply to Andre.
I might could rationalize it, look the other way —- IF the mens basketball program were actually good!!! Given the numerous opportunities JMU has given to a player in a horrid program —- just imagine what JMU would let Nation do if the program were even mediocre.
Would be cool if you did a “where are they now” story on all the players that have left Brady’s basketball program over the years.
How many 3rd strikes does the JMU athletic program provide for?
jmuparent — evidently if you are a scholarship athlete you get just stay on ‘2’. Afterall it has been reported that Thrope failed 5+ drug tests under MM before he was shown the door.