Thoughts on the JMU Loss to UVA

JMU got the 2013-2014 hoops season started in less than spectacular fashion last night. The Dukes dropped a 61-41 decision to a legitimately good UVA team. A loss is a loss and it’s very difficult to find positives in a 20 point loss at that. However, this is not the end of the world or a harbinger of bad times to come. Far from it. It was more likely just a slow opening night for a young team. The second youngest team in the country in fact. And we’re not talking about Kentucky one and done sort of youth. We’re talking about a throw back sort of youth, in which players pay their dues and develop over the course of a four year career. So while losses are never fun. Let’s not all freak out and give up on the season.

As for bright spots, if you’re a real Kool Aid drinker, you could point to Tom Vodanovich reaching double figures in his first college game. The freshman lead JMU with 11 points to go along with 4 boards and 2 assists. Ron Curry and Charles Cooke each scored 9 points and Andrey Semenov chipped in with 8. Nobody else scored. And that was a bit of a problem. JMU shot terribly from the field in the first half, connecting on only 20% of its attempts. Things improved after the break, but it was really too late. UVA is a solid defensive team, which contributed to the Dukes’ awful shooting night. Still though, JMU simply has too shoot the ball better.

It’s only one game. And it was against arguably the best team JMU might face all season. Let’s put it behind us and move on. Besides, as Dukes fans we have a football game to look forward to in a few hours. A game our team has real shot at winning that we would never ever consider wearing a necktie to. Neither of things are true for our friends in Hooville. So in that sense we’re already winning in the game of life when compared to our friends in them anyway. Keep rootin.