JMU Thrashed by CAA Leading UNCW While Awaiting Word on Curry’s Status
Really not all that much to say about this weekend’s beatdown at the beach. The Dukes lost to CAA-Leading UNCW 78-68 in a game that wasn’t really that close. The Dukes game planned well and tried to go inside against UNCW’s smaller but more athletic lineup but gave up a 20-3 run in the first half, trailed by 13 at the break and never really threatened. We mentioned after the Dukes’ first loss to the Seahawks that UNCW was the scariest team in the conference for JMU matchup-wise because a few of our players are just out-classed athletically, but without Ron Curry those issues were even more glaring. We’re actually not down on the team after this one considering other players were being asked to take over ball handling duties in the conference’s toughest possible game (@UNCW). But JMU has fallen into a logjam for third-place and someone from the CAA’s current top five is going to end up playing on the dreaded Pillow-Fight Friday in Baltimore as only the top four teams earn byes.
If anything, JMU’s rally to win at Charleston after Curry went down during what had to be one of the Dukes ugliest performances is even more important and impressive in hindsight.
Speaking of Curry, official word is “knee sprain, will return this season.” We’re not doctors, but that seems like as good a news as we could’ve hoped for. No idea which ligament that means, but hopefully something like a very mild MCL which could mean a fairly rapid return. In a one-bid, low-major league where only the tourney champ is going dancing though, there is no reason to rush back before Baltimore, even if it means having to play an extra game versus an awful Drexel or Delaware team on the first day. Now everyone cross your fingers.
The game on Saturday was not as bad as I was expecting. Not easy to watch, but could have been worse considering the amount of time they had to adjust to Curry being out (as well as DC) heading into the toughest game on their CAA schedule.
One thing that made me cringe when I heard it a week or so ago (prior to the injury) was when Brady said that Curry had become the most indispensable player he had ever coached…
I do think the Dukes can beat UNCW with a healthy roster. I would love if YoYo would stop picking up fouls 85 feet from the basket. He looks unstoppable on the block when he doesn’t have to worry about his foul situation.
Hopefully Curry will be back in a week or so.
Go Dukes!
The top 6 teams avoid the Friday night pillow fight round.
Just a suggestion, but Shakir Brown might want to stop standing around the 3 point line like and passing the ball like a automaton. The guy is a severe waste of space. At least Kent will vary his game by driving the basket.
Look, Northeastern ain’t that good and JMU his having a hard time determining if their bench players are any good either. Brown doesn’t deserve to start. And he doesn’t deserve to take away from the playing time that Grays might give. This team is having serious problems figuring itself out right now.
Goodbye Brady. It’s been nice knowing you.
This team has turned into total garbage. Brown is useless as a starter and the quality of bench play has been crap. Start Grays for God’s sake.