Dukes Prepare for Tough Test

The JMU Dukes are 15-3, tied for first in the CAA, and actually receiving votes in the polls. I am even allowing myself to dream about JMU returning to the Big Dance for the first time since the 1993-1994 season. It’s safe to say that Wednesday night’s game against ODU is the most JMU anticipated basketball game in recent memory. And why not? It’s easily going to be JMU’s biggest and most important game of the year…until Saturday.

The fact is that JMU has taken a huge step forward this season and in position to compete for the CAA crown. That just means that games like Wednesday’s against ODU are more meaningfull than in years past. And so are games like this Saturday’s against George Mason. Or next week’s match-ups against Hoftstra.

Take a look at the schedule, you can see that the Dukes have their work cut out for them. JMU is 5-1 in the CAA and tied for first place with VCU and Hofstra, and George Mason and ODU are only a game back at 4-2. Of the Dukes’ remaining 12 league games, 7 will be played against teams from that group. The other contenders have already played some tough games or catch breaks with the unbalanced schedule. VCU has 6 games against these top opponents, George Mason and ODU have 5 each, while Hofstra only has 3.

So while it’s not going to be easy for JMU, this schedule might actually be a good thing. We all knew JMU could score with the best of them, but thankfully the team seems to be putting a lot more effort into defense and rebounding lately. JMU has improved enough that they really can beat every team left on the schedule and win the CAA. I’m not sure I would have said that earlier this season. This game against ODU is far from a must win, but it’s still huge. And I can’t wait.