Team Effort Propels JMU Over Delaware
The Dukes defeated the Delaware Blue Hens 88-82 in the Convo last night. As you can tell from the score, it was not a defensive battle. It was an old fashioned shoot out. And it was a wonderful game for chicken loving students, who received free boneless wings for showing up and went home with free Chick-fil-a nuggets when the Dukes eclipsed 78 points. JMU moved to 13-9 overall and 6-3 in the CAA. Delaware fell to 4-16 and 3-6 in league play. The Dukes are tied for third, with their next two games coming against the CAA’s top two teams, William & Mary and UNCW.
There’s really only one point we’d like to make about this game. The win came as a direct result of the Dukes playing great team basketball. This is not the CAA’s most talented team. JMU has had better rosters in the past. But these guys work together and play hard. Every player who saw minutes last night, contributed in some ways. Four of the five starters scored in double figures. The one starter who didn’t, Winston Grays, had a solid all around game with 8 points, 6 boards, and 4 assists. Jackson Kent and Tom Vodanovich both had career highs in points with 19 and 17 respectably. Yoyo had a quit first half, but was too much for the Blue Hens after the break and finished with 17 points. Ron Curry struggled from long range, but still managed to score 15 points, pull down 7 boards, and dish out 8 assists. The bench guys all made the most of their minutes. Everyone played hard and found a way to add value.
Andre Nation is a tremendous talent and was the Dukes most talented player prior to be kicked off the team. If you don’t think the Dukes are playing with more effort and intensity since his departure, you’re not paying attention. JMU currently sits in third place and has a chance to jump up to the top of the league. The Dukes welcome William & Mary to the Convo on Saturday and follow that game up with a homer against a surprising UNCW. Wednesday night’s CAA results (W&M dropping 100 on Hofstra and Drexel up-ending Northeastern in particular) showed us the league is very much up for grabs. The Dukes are definitely in the mix.
It is great to see the heart and effort of this team. Is this a team that will make it to the NCAAs? Probably not, but I love watching a team that cares about winning and puts out the effort to do so.
I don’t have any strong feelings about Brady one way or the other. Yes, he has lost a lot of players and injuries seem to be a consistent theme, but he has run a good clean program that has achieved more than any coach since Lefty. And Lefty came with his own issues.
Don’t know if Brady is our best option, but I think he is the best coach we have had since Lou.
I am proud of how this team has come together.
Go Dukes.
Nation leaving was the Ewing Theory in practice.
Having lost both games to Northeastern, JMU is actually in 4th place.
The team is really playing team ball right now and playing for one another. There is no moping or pouting anywhere to be found. There is hustle and energy all over the court.
Clearly addition by subtraction — just wish it had happened sooner.
It’s been a long time since I played but even I recall a defense called a “box and one.” Brady apparently doesn’t. If you’re playing a guy like Thornton, you’ve got to keep a man on him at all times.