{"id":210,"date":"2010-01-17T21:50:06","date_gmt":"2010-01-18T02:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=210"},"modified":"2010-01-17T21:52:05","modified_gmt":"2010-01-18T02:52:05","slug":"jackass-throws-a-hot-dog-and-the-dukes-lose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=210","title":{"rendered":"Jackass Throws a Hot Dog and the Dukes Lose"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We hate the kid that threw one of these.<\/p><\/div>\n

Seriously, man? Seriously? You just had to\u00a0throw a friggin hot dog<\/a> didn’t you? I mean, it’s not like the Dukes weren’t having a tough enough time against Mason. Maybe you were struggling to find a truly original way to kill JMU’s momentum? Maybe you couldn’t literally run onto the court and let the air out of the basketball? Maybe you’re just a jackass? Yeah, let’s go with that one. You’re a jackass.<\/p>\n

The unfortunate incident aside, JMU really struggled this game and lost 82-71. I’m starting to think that I could write these post-games using a template. Something like “The Dukes defense and intensity disappeared in (insert time of game) which offset strong offensive outings from (“Wells”, “Bowles”, or “Wells and Bowles”) while (insert opposing team’s player’s name) knocked down wide open shots all game.” For this game we’d go with ” the beginning of each half” for blank 1, “Wells” for blank 2, and “Andre Cornelius” for blank 3.<\/p>\n

This game pointed out plenty of reasons to be frustrated by this team; the way they let the games get away from them by losing intensity, the poor shot selection at times, and the inability to play 40 minutes of defense, chief amongst them. However, I think we need to step back and try to be realistic.<\/p>\n

For one thing, JMU is actually competitive with top teams in the CAA. Yesterday’s loss to GMU and recent losses to W&M and ODU are miserable, but think back to two or three years ago. JMU wouldn’t have been in any of those games. This year, despite the fact that JMU is down two starters (Moore & Semenov), one senior expected to play major minutes (Thornton) and is only dressing 9 guys, they’re competing night in and night out. Sure, they clearly need help on defense and madly inconsistent. Let me remind you however, Coach Brady was not hired to carry on a winning tradition, but to build the program back up from the depths of despair. Last year was JMU’s first winning season\u00a0since 1999-2000! When Brady was hired, I said I’d realistically like JMU to finish in the top half of the conference and win a tournament game in year 2. Recent skid aside, that can still happen. A road win at Drexel this Wednesday would be a good way to get back on track.<\/p>\n