Dukes baseball (although it was a tough opener according to @Dukie95) and women’s lax are both at Mason this weekend for you DC folks, but this weekend is really about #8wins4CAA and the VCU Rams! And it doesn’t even come with the “yeah, but” self-loathing that accompanied the Mason run five years ago. Plus they’re not taking on Joakim Noah and Al Horford this time. So go get this thing VCU!
Thanks to Suaze for the assist on this classic tee for the Rams and keep an eye out for an expanded tee-shirt selection from JMUSB coming soon!
The Diamond Dukes have dropped their first CAA series over the weekend and now sit in 2nd place in the CAA. The offense isn’t to blame though. Catcher Jake Lowery and and short stop Dave Herbek are putting up some ridiculous numbers and staking a claim to the title of JMU’s Bash Brothers. Unlike the original Bash Brothers, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco however, they’re not roided out freaks.
I don’t claim to be a college baseball expert, but you don’t need to be to realize how impressive Herbek’s and Lowery’s play has been. Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves. These two guys are just blowing away the competition in the CAA. Check out these rankings in a number of offensive statistical categories:
| Rank | Team | Player | TB | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 94 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | 86 |
| Rank | Team | Player | RBI | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 41 | |||
| 3 | James Madison | David Herbek | 38 |
| Rank | Team | Player | HR | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 12 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | 11 |
| Rank | Team | Player | R | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 38 |
| Rank | Team | Player | OPS | |||
| 1 | James Madison | David Herbek | 1.365 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | 1.334 |
| Rank | Team | Player | SLG | |||
| 1 | James Madison | Jake Lowery | .879 | |||
| 2 | James Madison | David Herbek | .869 |
So the two are clearly blowing away the competition in the CAA. Here’s the thing though, those are the national rankings. That’s right. Herbek and Lowery rank 1-2 in Slugging, OPS, Home Runs, and Total Bases, sit 1st and 3rd in RBI, and Lowery leads the nation in runs. And in case you didn’t know there are 285 teams in Division 1 baseball. And only 9 of those teams have hit more homers than Lowery and Herbek’s combined total of 23. Wow.
The VCU Rams defeat of the Kansas Jayhawks might have shocked the world, but it just proved what many of us have been screaming all season, the CAA is a damn good baskeball league. There isn’t much we can say on the topic that hasn’t been said already, but here are 5 quick thoughts on VCU’s run to the Final Four.
1. JMU Beat a Final Four Team This Season
The Dukes defeated VCU in Richmond about a month ago, so yes, they beat a Final Four team. It shows that when at their best this season, JMU could definitely run with the big boys. Of course that might make the inconsistency and the losses to W&M and Georgia State even more frustrating. Still, this is the first time JMU can ever say that it beat a Final Four team, so let’s be proud of it.
2. Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, et al Can Shove It
I’ve heard a lot of people say that the fact that VCU won games in the tournament doesn’t mean that it deserved to get a bid. I guess you could logically say that the there is no correlation between the two and VCU still hasn’t validated its selection. I wouldn’t, but you could. I still say Bilas, Davis, and everyone else who ranted against VCU’s selection can get bent. Watch the league before you attempt to comment on it fellas.
Prior to today’s win, I also heard other people try to discredit VCU’s run. Their argument was that USC was bad, Georgetown didn’t count because they were beat up, and FSU isn’t anything special basketball-wise. So essentially they were saying that VCU’s run isn’t extraordinary because they were better than the teams they beat. And these same people claim VCU didn’t deserve a bid. Does not compute.
3. The CAA Just Got a Whole Lot Better
Readers of this blog know that the CAA is a great league. It’s about to get much better though. The level of play in the league improved since GMU’s Final Four run in 2006. Now that VCU proved that it’s possible for another CAA team to do it, it’s going to give every team in the league the chance to improve recruiting and out of conference scheduling. In addition to giving the league greater credibility, VCU’s run brings financial rewards to the CAA. Each team gets a cut of the millions VCU has earned. With a few more strong showings in March by CAA teams, the league could see an uptick in tv revenue. All this money will help close the gap with the power programs. VCU made its run after spending $2.3 million on hoops this season. The Kansas team they beat spent $10.9 million. That’s a huge difference. Calipari probably spends more that $2.3 million paying folks to take his recruits’ SATs.
4. This Is Awesome for Mason Haters
VCU’s run isn’t over and you’d have to be crazy at this point to assume the Rams can’t win this whole damn thing. Even if it ends here though it at least means that Mason isn’t the only CAA team to make a Final Four. That’s like a gift from heaven for Mason haters (guilty as charged) who are sick of hearing Mason fans crow about the 2006 team. Maybe by the time JMU makes a Final Four it will be a cliche.
5. Congrats to all VCU Players, Coaches, and Fans
I wish it was JMU, but I’m thrilled for everyone associated with VCU and the rest of the CAA. Good luck. Now go win 2 more!
It’s come to our attention that there is a new group on campus that “seeks to create, enhance and commemorate positive traditions at JMU.” Evidently this group operated in secret before revealing itself as the Madison Society this spring. The same day the group made its true identity known, it unvelied JMU’s newest tradition, a “spirit rock on the east campus meadow adjacent to the new biosciences building.” And don’t confuse the spirit rock with kissing rock, which was forever ruined by the most awkward ESPNU profile segment ever during the JMU-GMU game. The spirit rock is just a big old rock that members of the JMU community are invited to paint whenever they are inspired.
I’m sure lots of people are going to allege that it’s rather ridiculous for a group to arbitrarily launch a tradition out of the blue and force it on a community. And well, those people are absolutely right. It’s ludicrous. That doesn’t mean we don’t think you should paint the damn rock though. We’re dying for folks to paint it actually. Please someone paint “JMU Sports Blog” all over it and send us a picture. Seriously. We have nothing of value to give you, but we’ll put the picture on the blog and say nice things about you. And when you email us the picture please explain where east campus is, because I’ve never heard of it. When I was in school we just had campus. And we liked it that way.
Let me explain why we’re doing this. Because we are so are desparate for attention that seeing JMUSB on a big hunk of stone will make us feel special. I wish there was something more to it, but that’s pretty much it. And I guess it wouldn’t hurt if this little tradition took off. As easy as it is to be cynical about a group like the Madison Society, I sincerely applaud their intent. JMU is somewhat lacking in the tradition department. Check out this list to see what I mean. Throwing streamers is legit, but a couple of those others are weak. Holding the door for strangers? Seriously? We’re claiming that one for JMU? Seriously? That’s just common courtesy. Are we also going to claim saying “bless you” after someone sneezes?
Go paint the damn rock people. Paint JMU Sports Blog on it and make us feel good about ourselves.
Former JMU soccer star, CJ Sapong, got his MLS career started with a bang over the weekend. The rookie striker earned the start for the season opener and then scored in the second minute of the match. Scroll to the 48 second point in the video above to see it. The goal was the fastest by a rookie in MLS history. It was a quality strike and it helped Sporting Kansas City (terrible name) defeat Chivas USA (slightly less terrible name) by the score of 3-2.
It’s probably no surprise that as a couple of bloggers passionate about mid-major college hoops and FCS football, we’re also drawn to other sports outside of the 4 majors, including soccer. And while we’re both steadfast DC United supporters, we’re hoping CJ finds the back of the net many times this season. Maybe he’ll even get to collaborate on some goal celebrations with Chad Ochocinco.
Not your father's Newman Lake
For those of you who follow the program closely and our more than a little fanatical about our beloved 1-AA Dukes (ok, maybe that’s just us), there was enormous news on the football front yesterday as Head Coach Mickey Matthews announced on the eve of spring practice that he had stripped Offensive Coordinator Jeff Durden of playcalling responsibility. Like most OC’s when a team is struggling (think Stinespring at VT), Durden was reviled by fans as the cause of JMU’s lackluster production, tepid playcalling, and polio. We are greeting this news with a hallelujah chorus after two seasons of incessant whining. Possibly just as stunning, MM announced he’ll be taking over the playcalling duties himself in 2011. We are greeting this news with an intoxicating mix of anxiety, goosebumps, and sheer panic. And quite a few buring questions we’ll list below. MM said Durden will remain with the program as Tight Ends Coach and will be up in the sweet, new press box for assistance. This is also good news as that means Durden will physically be a country mile from the QB’s head as evidenced by the photo we couldn’t resist running again.
Also, before we forget – and don’t worry Landeta, we won’t – the women’s hoops team’s run came to a close in the NCAA tourney in Charlottesville over the weekend at the hands of Oklahoma. Incredible purple turnout for the game and a valiant comeback attempt in the second half, but the Dukes just couldn’t match the Sooners speed and quickness. With openings at VT and UVa and rumors circulating in places like the Wash Post (and my co-worker’s office whose jersey hangs in the rafters for the Wahoos) about Kenny Brooks being on the short list, we’ll be back soon for more coverage, but this Durden thing is too big to put off.
Top Five Questions related to Durden’s emasculation:
1) Timing?! The eve of spring practice seemed an odd time for this news. MM had all winter to make this decision and I’ve got to think he already had the convo with Durden a while ago. That said, Spring ball just got more exciting leading up to the April 16 spring game which will take place in Richmond. Should be cool for RIC/Hampton Roads Dukes.
2) Will the Dukes EVER throw? Even with Durden, we had to wonder if the Dukes knew the forward pass had been approved for use (you know, eight decades ago). With “hit ’em in the mouth” MM, is this progression or regression.
3) With Billy Cosh coming onboard, does MM know something we don’t? We love this possibility. Cosh is the transfer QB from Kansas St. and conspiring minds like ours would love to think MM knows his presence will make him look like a genius (can you say Justin Rascati?!)
4) Will the Dukes go for EVERY fourth down? As a Gregg Easterbrook TMQ devotee and a notorious contrarian on fourth down philosophy, I sure as hell hope so. Ever responsible and risk-averse(read “parent”) Rob will surely disagree with me here, but MM is already famous for past fourth-down decisions that some considered reckless.
5) Will this new responsibility keep MM’s worst instincts and sideline antics in check? As we’ve noted over and over, officiating in the CAA is a debacle but MM seems to make it even harder on the Dukes with his outrageous sideline behavior (not to mention infusing the team with that same sense of disease). I’m hoping the play-by-play responsibility to fight the play clock and calmly signal his troops next move will put an end to some of this nonsense. But I wouldn’t bet on it, especially against Delaware.
Photo Credit to Dukester - thanks!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated or click here to read the magazine’s profile of JMU’s very own Dawn Evans. It might not turn you into a women’s hoop fan, but it will make even the most cynical of us Dawn fans.
Dawn and her teammates are moving on to the NCAAs after winning the CAA. They’ll open with a virtual home game in Charlottesville against a very experienced Oklahoma Sooners team.
Men’s basketball season officially ended with Coach Brady and the Dukes getting blown out by Davidson in the first round of the CBI Tournament. On the plus side, this saves me the embarassment of ever being caught bragging about a JMU win in the CBI Tournament.
At times it feels like this is the only blog on the planet that’s never mentioned Charlie Sheen or the NFL lockout. That’s over. Check out this article to see how Mike Caussin, Dorian Brooks, and Arthur Moats are coping with being locked out.
The Diamond Dukes are off to a 13-4 start and have a big series against VCU, the defending CAA champ, this weekend. The Dukes hit 23 homers and scored 91 runs in the season opening 4 game series with Bucknell and now a bat they used is headed to the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Women’s lax is off to a hot start as well. The Dukes defeated Princeton this week to move to 5-0 and are ranked 9th in the nation.
Historians aren’t sure, but they believe March 16 was James Madison’s birthday. If correct, he would have been 260 years old this week. I know it was definitely my grandma’s 93rd birthday so Happy Birthday Grandma!
OK folks, I’m going to come clean and just let everyone know that the game is technically still going on as I write this. The Dukes trail Davidson 83-57 with under 4:00 minutes to go though, so I think we can call it. Plus, since I’m struggling to find anything at all worth saying about this one, the final buzzer will probably sound before I post this anyway. So, yay blogging ethics or something. And boo JMU Dukes effort.
I honestly didn’t really know much about the College Basketball Invitation Presented by Zebra Pen before the Dukes got a bid. It’s obviously not the most prestigious tournment, falling below the 68 team NCAA Tournament and 32 team NIT, and just nudging out the College Insider Tournament. I guess you could say that if the NCAA tourney is the Big Dance, this tournament is probably more like an ice cream social. That doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time though. It could have been a nice chance for the Dukes to put the William & Mary loss behind them, notch a few more wins, and build some momentum for next season. It’s been done before. Five teams in the real March Madness played in the CBI last year. Unfortunately, JMU just didn’t show up tonight and got absolutely destroyed by a team they should have beaten.
The game was broadcast on HDnet, a channel I don’t get, so I was forced to listen to the broadcast on Madizone. It’s alwasy tough to provide any real analysis without seeing the game, but this game got so ugly I probably wouldn’t have much to offer even if I had watched from courtside seats. It was too frustrating to pay close attention to. Here’s what you need to know though, everything the Dukes did to drive fans crazy this year, was on display tonight. Apparent lack of effort? Check. Careless turnovers? Check. Poor shot selection? Check. Terrible perimeter defense? Check. I could go on and on, but you get the point. It really just seemed like the Dukes didn’t want to be there. Either that, or Davidson and William & Mary are both some sort of goofy white guy kryponite for the Dukes.
It would be easy to dwell on the negative and slam Brady, Denzel, and the rest of the Dukes tonight. I’m going to refrain from that for now. I’ll give it a few days and try to enjoy March Madness before attempting to analyze this season. It definitely had some bright spots, but this was a terrible way for it to end.
Update: JMU Men’s Hoops will play in the CBI Tournament. First game Tuesday, 7 p.m. @ Davidson, coverage rumored to be on HDNet.
We stayed away from the keyboard for a few days for three reasons: First, I’ve turned into a full-on Cooler when it comes to teams I support recently and we agreed it was best to let the women’s team defend it’s CAA title w/out me hexing the whole thing. Second, we wanted to let Rob’s great trip down memory lane to the ‘Burg circa 1994 breathe a little. And third, I got a little carried away with my bitchin’ and moanin’ about the CAA last week and needed a little self-imposed probation. (And I was doing well until I got inappropriately bent out of shape with the PurpleWave on Twitter today – sorry ’bout that. Oh yeah, you can follow us @jmusportsblog though no guarantee it’ll be solely Dukes related).
Front of Official jmusports.com today! Congrats ladies!
But thankfully, we had nothing to worry about with the Lady Dukes! The women, led by the Coach Kenny Brooks and superstar Dawn Evans(tourney MOP), managed to hold off a spirited tourney run from Elena Della-Donne and Delaware to defend their CAA title in style. The bid is now clinched and now hopes for a relatively high seed are up in anticipation of Monday’s bracket announcements. Huge congrats to the women. This only adds to the legend of this group. We’ve been saying for a few weeks this group of players is going to leave JMU as one of the most influential groups in any sport and now they’ve got back-to-back CAA titles and NCAA trips to show for it. Hopefully they can add a victory or six to the resume in the Big Dance! If the Dukes can avoid last year’s fate of the 8/9 game, they should have a real shot to make the Sweet Sixteen or beyond.
And in stunning news today from the men’s game, our buddy over at GheorghetheBlog‘s yearlong promotion of the hashtag #3Bids4CAA’s dream came true as VCU joined ODU and GMU in the tournament for the CAA’s first ever three-bid year (w/ lots of support from DefiantlyDutchwho accurately captures my feelings on all the gnashing of teeth from the heads at the four-letter over the fact a few teams from conferences their network covers were left out in favor of the Rams). Obviously this wouldn’t even have happened w/out the expanded field, but we will take it! Hard to believe that five teams from the Commonwealth (VCU, ODU, GMU, Hampton, Richmond) will be in the tourney but UVa and VT are not among them. Sad to believe JMU is not.
Lastly, a final comment for those of you joining said heads in sadness over VT. I also agree it sucks for a very solid senior class in Blacksburg to have been relatively “screwed” for their whole tenure, but a) I don’t think VCU is the appropriate place to direct your anger (see UAB, USC, PSU, Georgia) and b) I ABSOLUTELY cannot understand the utter refusal among some alleged JMU supporters and alums to not give up their fascinations with the so-called big boys in our backyard (VT chief among them, but UVa, Md, UNC, and PSU all have their wagoneers still hanging on as well). Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the fact you grew up a fan of a certain team or that you continue to support them today. More power to you. I’ve stated my own hypocrisy on this subject in that the Mrs. is a Villanova grad and I follow them in hoops when the Dukes are not involved (like I said, I am literally turning into William H. Macy). But the respect that VCU’s bid demostrates for the ball being played in the CAA is great news for the Dukes and if you don’t believe that, you’re not really paying attention. In the old days, it was harder to “root” for JMU. Games weren’t televised and Bridgeforth was the place we played b-league intramural softball. But the times they are a changin’ and to steal a phrase I usually hate but am willing to appropriate in this case as someone has to take the UNCOMPROMISING positions in the JMU diaspora, “if you’re not with us, you’re against us.” Get on board or just keep truckin’ to Blacksburg with your high school friends and don’t bother to stop halfway.
