{"id":6245,"date":"2013-11-18T21:59:58","date_gmt":"2013-11-19T02:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6245"},"modified":"2013-11-18T22:45:10","modified_gmt":"2013-11-19T03:45:10","slug":"dukes-set-to-raise-caa-champs-banner-in-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6245","title":{"rendered":"Dukes Set to Raise CAA Championship Banner in Home Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"protect<\/a>The Dukes home opener is Tuesday against Detroit. And for the first time in nearly two decades, they’ll be raising a CAA Championship banner to the rafters prior to tip off. Yes, we’d have to go all the way back to 1995 to find the last time JMU hoisted a banner. We sort of beat the whole #lasttimeJMUwentdancing<\/a> thing to death last March, but trust us, it’s been a long time since JMU had a banner to raise. So tomorrow night is definitely a time to celebrate. And without sounding too cheesy, it’s also a chance to show your appreciation for Brady and the guys. Because in case you’ve been caught up worrying about football and forgotten, JMU’s CAA Championship and run to the dance was a damn good time. So pack the Convo, raise the banner, and root fer Dukes.<\/p>\n

And where does this team stand thus far? Four games into the 2013-2014 hoops season and JMU currently finds itself at 2-2. After dropping a game on the road against a talented UVA squad opening night, the Dukes played in the Northern Illinois University Invitational over the weekend. The team took a big step forward winning 2 of 3 on the road trip. The young squad knocked off NIU and San Jose State, and dropped a decision to Wisconsin Milwaukee. With a core built around freshmen and sophomores, there are obviously things to work on, but just as many reasons for optimism.<\/p>\n

Ron Curry and Taylor Bessick both had new career highs for points during the tournament. Curry led the way with 19 points in Friday night’s win over NIU. Bessick scored 19 of his own in the finale against San Jose State. One of the keys to this season might be Curry’s ability to play the point and command the team. Friday night he showed us signs that he might be up to the task. He’s been up and down through four games, and struggled shooting from long range. He has a positive assist to turnover ratio though and has shown that he can get to the free throw line (and hit free throws once he’s there). He hit double figures in all 3 games over the weekend. Bessick also seemed to find his offensive game and hopefully build some confidence. In the last two games he went a combined 13 for 16 from the field.<\/p>\n

In addition to seeing signs of improvement from Bessick and Curry, Charles Cooke has elevated his offensive game. He’s averaging 11 points per contest. Like Curry, he’s been able to get to the line and hit his freebies, going 10 for 11 from the stripe against San Jose State. And freshmen Tom Vodanovich and Jackson Kent look like they could be dangerous scorers. There is a lot of young talent on this roster. Young talent and one older Russian grad student, who hasn’t quite found his touch, but will eventually. And when Semenov and the young guns are all clicking, this team could be a lot of fun to watch.<\/p>\n