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I don't know about you, but 2021-2022 may be the most excited I have been for overall JMU athletics ever.
Football has very high hopes after a disappointing spring. The majority of the team is returning and should be better than last season.
Men's Basketball: With so many years of disappointment, I can't remember the last time I felt this optimistic about the team. Coach By is the real deal and I love what I've been seeing on social media to build excitement.
Women's Basketball: This is a make or break year for WBB. Edit: Coach O's job is probably not on the line, but the pressure is most certainly on. This year we need an NCAA bid and I think they can do it.
Softball: I mean, come on! If this season didn't get you excited for the next season and moving forward, nothing will. We are in the spotlight and Coach LaPorte and this program know it and will embrace it. We are a force in softball.
Men's soccer: This team continues to improve and surprise me. I don't see that changing any time soon.
Women's Lacrosse: I'll admit I didn't follow them as much this last year, but they still appear to be a great team that should be a playoff contender again.
There are many other sports I know I'm leaving out (field hockey, women's soccer, swimming/diving, golf, etc) that are also very good programs. There is only one program I am not excited about: baseball. I have no expectations and not even a little excited to watch them play. Perhaps they shock us all, but I doubt it.
This season could be a huge one overall for JMU athletics and appears to be one to remember.
Q&D

Men's basketball -slightly more optimistic than last year heading into the season. Improved coaching, but will see if talent is up.

Football - more optimistic this year than entering last season. Experienced QB and I think increased experience and talent

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

Softball - least confident than any season since I started following 7 or 8 years ago. I think we should win the CAA fairly easily (unless Alissa is injured) , but don't see us as a likely super regional contender. Alissa needs to improve, and the team needs another top pitcher. Don't have all-americans Ford, Good or Alexander coming back in the circle.

Baseball - just as pessimistic as ever. If we are average to slightly above average we may have Ike for more years. What recruit won't want to come to come play for a likely to be fired coach?


Really don't know enough about the rest to have an opinion.....
On paper this defense has the potential to rival 2017
(06-15-2021 03:39 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote: [ -> ]On paper this defense has the potential to rival 2017

Defense is deep!!! McCormicks step forward in the spring was huge.
(06-15-2021 03:43 PM)dukesfan4010 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-15-2021 03:39 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote: [ -> ]On paper this defense has the potential to rival 2017

Defense is deep!!! McCormicks step forward in the spring was huge.

I too was impressed with his improvement. I remember Cignetti yanking him in favor of Charles Tutt in the 2019 NC. He was not on his game that day.
(06-15-2021 03:05 PM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]Q&D

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.
(06-18-2021 08:27 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-15-2021 03:05 PM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]Q&D

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.

I love coach O, but I wonder how long he will get to stay if he can't take the team to the NCAA's.
To be fair to Coach O, 2020's team would have been in the NCAA Tournament. Like you said, his job probably isn't at jeopardy yet unless the team tanks. Thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case. His teams have been constantly competing for the top of the CAA.
The only thing he has against him was the success of the program under Kenny. Our expectations are still high for this program, but he is completely aware of it.
I changed my original statement to reflect that Coach O's job probably isn't on the line. But it is still going to be an exciting year for this team!
(06-20-2021 08:56 PM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-18-2021 08:27 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-15-2021 03:05 PM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]Q&D

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.

I love coach O, but I wonder how long he will get to stay if he can't take the team to the NCAA's.
To be fair to Coach O, 2020's team would have been in the NCAA Tournament. Like you said, his job probably isn't at jeopardy yet unless the team tanks. Thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case. His teams have been constantly competing for the top of the CAA.
The only thing he has against him was the success of the program under Kenny. Our expectations are still high for this program, but he is completely aware of it.
I changed my original statement to reflect that Coach O's job probably isn't on the line. But it is still going to be an exciting year for this team!


I'm not one that thinks it was likely Ike and Sean would of had breakout years if not for the pandemic. If we had cut any of Sean's season's early we would of all thought the same thing as the pandemic year. Each year we feel going into the tourney this is the year and we have always been the favorite, or one of the favorites. We've consistently underachieved in OOC and the CAAT - there's no reason to think we would not of underachieved in March 2020 as well. It's been a very consistent trend......
(06-21-2021 08:18 AM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-20-2021 08:56 PM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-18-2021 08:27 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-15-2021 03:05 PM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]Q&D

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.

I love coach O, but I wonder how long he will get to stay if he can't take the team to the NCAA's.
To be fair to Coach O, 2020's team would have been in the NCAA Tournament. Like you said, his job probably isn't at jeopardy yet unless the team tanks. Thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case. His teams have been constantly competing for the top of the CAA.
The only thing he has against him was the success of the program under Kenny. Our expectations are still high for this program, but he is completely aware of it.
I changed my original statement to reflect that Coach O's job probably isn't on the line. But it is still going to be an exciting year for this team!


I'm not one that thinks it was likely Ike and Sean would of had breakout years if not for the pandemic. If we had cut any of Sean's season's early we would of all thought the same thing as the pandemic year. Each year we feel going into the tourney this is the year and we have always been the favorite, or one of the favorites. We've consistently underachieved in OOC and the CAAT - there's no reason to think we would not of underachieved in March 2020 as well. It's been a very consistent trend......

Before I agree with you, please don't group Ike and Sean together. That's an insult to what Sean has done.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was possible that JMU WBB was in consideration for an auto-bid, weren't they? They were 25-4 and only lost by 2 to 4th ranked Maryland. They had ended the regular season on a 9 game winning streak.
As for 2020-21, I did expect a bit of a dropoff. But the 2019-20 season team was really, really good. It's easy to look back and say they might have blown it like Sean's teams have, but I recall most of us seeing that year as THE year Sean would get it done.
Could they have disappointed in the CAA tournament? Sure, but they could have easily won the CAA tournament and went on a tear. We will never know.
As for baseball, they COULD have went on a tear, but when their season was called they were 10-6. Not really anywhere close to what WBB was doing. And if we are basing this on their body of work, one could assume they would have ended the season a little over .500 with perhaps a shot at squeaking into the CAA tournament. And with that prediction I believe I am being VERY optimistic.
(06-21-2021 08:46 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-21-2021 08:18 AM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-20-2021 08:56 PM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-18-2021 08:27 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-15-2021 03:05 PM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]Q&D

Women's Basketball - more experience and talented team. More optimistic entering this season than last - hoping Sean can break the glass ceiling. I do not think Sean's job is in jeopardy unless the team finishes in the bottom half.

I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.

I love coach O, but I wonder how long he will get to stay if he can't take the team to the NCAA's.
To be fair to Coach O, 2020's team would have been in the NCAA Tournament. Like you said, his job probably isn't at jeopardy yet unless the team tanks. Thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case. His teams have been constantly competing for the top of the CAA.
The only thing he has against him was the success of the program under Kenny. Our expectations are still high for this program, but he is completely aware of it.
I changed my original statement to reflect that Coach O's job probably isn't on the line. But it is still going to be an exciting year for this team!


I'm not one that thinks it was likely Ike and Sean would of had breakout years if not for the pandemic. If we had cut any of Sean's season's early we would of all thought the same thing as the pandemic year. Each year we feel going into the tourney this is the year and we have always been the favorite, or one of the favorites. We've consistently underachieved in OOC and the CAAT - there's no reason to think we would not of underachieved in March 2020 as well. It's been a very consistent trend......

Before I agree with you, please don't group Ike and Sean together. That's an insult to what Sean has done.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was possible that JMU was in consideration for an auto-bid, weren't they? They were 25-4 and only lost by 2 to 4th ranked Maryland. They had ended the regular season on a 9 game winning streak.
As for 2020-21, I did expect a bit of a dropoff. But the 2019-20 season team was really, really good. It's easy to look back and say they might have blown it like Sean's teams have, but I recall most of us seeing that year as THE year Sean would get it done.
Could they have disappointed in the CAA tournament? Sure, but they could have easily won the CAA tournament and went on a tear. We will never know.

Certainly not comparing the two for numerous reasons - but I've heard from fans saying that spring of 2020 cost them their breakthrough Marchs.
(06-21-2021 08:50 AM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-21-2021 08:46 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-21-2021 08:18 AM)Dukester Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-20-2021 08:56 PM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(06-18-2021 08:27 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ]I agree. The program may not be where it's been, but it's still very good. The gals are selling tickets. The bottom has to fall out from under the program for Sean's job to be in jeopardy. It's solid and making a change could devastate this well oiled machine.

I love coach O, but I wonder how long he will get to stay if he can't take the team to the NCAA's.
To be fair to Coach O, 2020's team would have been in the NCAA Tournament. Like you said, his job probably isn't at jeopardy yet unless the team tanks. Thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case. His teams have been constantly competing for the top of the CAA.
The only thing he has against him was the success of the program under Kenny. Our expectations are still high for this program, but he is completely aware of it.
I changed my original statement to reflect that Coach O's job probably isn't on the line. But it is still going to be an exciting year for this team!


I'm not one that thinks it was likely Ike and Sean would of had breakout years if not for the pandemic. If we had cut any of Sean's season's early we would of all thought the same thing as the pandemic year. Each year we feel going into the tourney this is the year and we have always been the favorite, or one of the favorites. We've consistently underachieved in OOC and the CAAT - there's no reason to think we would not of underachieved in March 2020 as well. It's been a very consistent trend......

Before I agree with you, please don't group Ike and Sean together. That's an insult to what Sean has done.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was possible that JMU was in consideration for an auto-bid, weren't they? They were 25-4 and only lost by 2 to 4th ranked Maryland. They had ended the regular season on a 9 game winning streak.
As for 2020-21, I did expect a bit of a dropoff. But the 2019-20 season team was really, really good. It's easy to look back and say they might have blown it like Sean's teams have, but I recall most of us seeing that year as THE year Sean would get it done.
Could they have disappointed in the CAA tournament? Sure, but they could have easily won the CAA tournament and went on a tear. We will never know.

Certainly not comparing the two for numerous reasons - but I've heard from fans saying that spring of 2020 cost them their breakthrough Marchs.

Understood. :)
I'm pretty excited about this year's WBB team, even without Tucker. I don't think Sean's job is in jeopardy at all. I was saying to spousal unit the other day as we drove by the Convo Center that I will miss the games there, which felt like the "friendly confines' with such a family atmosphere. After that the AUBC is going to seem awfully BIG and we won't be able to sit so close to the floor and across from the bench, or watch the pep band's antics. But I can hardly wait for November.
(06-21-2021 12:57 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote: [ -> ]I'm pretty excited about this year's WBB team, even without Tucker. I don't think Sean's job is in jeopardy at all. I was saying to spousal unit the other day as we drove by the Convo Center that I will miss the games there, which felt like the "friendly confines' with such a family atmosphere. After that the AUBC is going to seem awfully BIG and we won't be able to sit so close to the floor and across from the bench, or watch the pep band's antics. But I can hardly wait for November.

I can totally understand that, but it does seem like for a large arena it has an intimate feel to it.

Aside from actually watching a game there, I am really looking forward to finding out how loud the arena can get. Some have feared that it be less, but the increase of attendance as well as that huge JMU wall, the sound may linger in there and could be even more deafening than before.
I can only hope! 03-wink
(06-21-2021 12:57 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote: [ -> ]I'm pretty excited about this year's WBB team, even without Tucker. I don't think Sean's job is in jeopardy at all. I was saying to spousal unit the other day as we drove by the Convo Center that I will miss the games there, which felt like the "friendly confines' with such a family atmosphere. After that the AUBC is going to seem awfully BIG and we won't be able to sit so close to the floor and across from the bench, or watch the pep band's antics. But I can hardly wait for November.

01-wingedeagle Why would any of those particular desires not be possible?

If anything, sight-lines are better in the Bank, and you’re as close (if not closer to the action. There’s not a bad seat in the entire arena.

As for me, if they bulldozed the Convo this afternoon it wouldn’t be too early.
Where it appears they're putting the pep band, they won't be visible to about half of us sitting on that side of the arena. And I prefer to be on the side opposite the bench because I have always liked watching what goes on on the benches (both teams). Also, the seats we were able to get were just not that close. We can't afford to be magadonors.
(06-21-2021 07:59 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote: [ -> ]Where it appears they're putting the pep band, they won't be visible to about half of us sitting on that side of the arena. And I prefer to be on the side opposite the bench because I have always liked watching what goes on on the benches (both teams). Also, the seats we were able to get were just not that close. We can't afford to be magadonors.

“Where it appears…” What? The Pep Band will be invisible? Hidden behind a screen? Or a fat pole or screen?

I think you’ve blown-up something that’s simply not an issue.
[Image: tenor.gif]
(06-21-2021 07:59 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote: [ -> ]Where it appears they're putting the pep band, they won't be visible to about half of us sitting on that side of the arena. And I prefer to be on the side opposite the bench because I have always liked watching what goes on on the benches (both teams). Also, the seats we were able to get were just not that close. We can't afford to be magadonors.

How do you feel about the marching band at Bridgeforth? Are they invisible?
The only difference is that they'll be in the front corner on the sideline instead of directly behind the basket.

Something you might not have considered, but the band will be more directional to the opposing team. The band can't play during the game, but they can certainly play during time outs (where it can really mess with them). At the new arena, more people will be in the direction of the pep band, not less.

At least go to a game where the pep band is there before making this statement. That's all.
Schedules are starting to be released for the fall, and it looks like MSOC will open the season against defending champion Marshall on Thursday August 26. I wonder if any of our Marshall posters will venture to the Burg for game?
(06-22-2021 03:44 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote: [ -> ]Schedules are starting to be released for the fall, and it looks like MSOC will open the season against defending champion Marshall on Thursday August 26. I wonder if any of our Marshall posters will venture to the Burg for game?

Did you not see the crowd we took to Cary, NC. They were allowed to sell 5K tickets for the final, the stadium holds 10K. Of those there at least 4.6-4.75K were Marshall fans. Was also told that the parking lot was full of Herd Fans that couldn't get in. If they could have sold all 10K, Im guessing Marshall would have had 9.5K there at the least.

If you watch the Santa Clara and Florida State shootout, you can already see Marshall invading the stadium and you can hear "We Are... Marshall" chants in the background. I doubt that many show up but you will have some Green and White there in some sort.



2020 National Championship Game

Marshall Fans Filing In WakeMed Stadium

Marshall returns 10 of 11 starters. The only player they lose is Jamil Roberts, who was drafted by Sporting KC and is already at their academy in Kansas City.
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