@ JMU (Thursday, Jan 3 - 7 PM)
Projected Starting 5
PG Matt Lewis (6-5 So.): 14.7 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.0 spg, .813 FT %
SG Stuckey Mosley (6-4 r-Sr.): 16.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg, .411 3-pt %
G Darius Banks (6-5 So.): 12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 spg, .459 3-pt %
F Greg Jones (6-7 So.): 3.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, .541 FG %
C Dwight Wilson (6-8 So.): 9.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, .587 FG %
Key Bench Players
PG DeShon Parker (6-4 Fr.): 4.1 ppg, 2.6 apg, .379 3-pt %, 23.5 mpg
F Zach Jacobs (6-8 So.): 4.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 20.4 mpg
F Develle Phillips (6-9 Sr.): 4.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 15.7 mpg
The Road so Far
* 5-8 vs. D-I
* 0-2 CAA (t-9th)
* Best Wins: vs. Radford (5-6); @ ECU (7-5)
* Worst Losses: neutral vs. Oral Roberts (3-11); @ Elon (3-10)
Team Strengths
* Steals: The Dukes average 7.5 steals per contest as a team, which places them # 96 in the nation. Banks is among the current CAA leaders in the category (32 total, 2.1 spg), which has been a significant factor in him being 3rd on the team in Minutes despite weaknesses in other areas. 4 other players on the team have double-digit thefts on the season as well.
* Post Play Offensive Efficiency: While JMU doesn't have a potent offense overall (69.3 ppg), ranking # 254 in Ken Pomeroy's Offensive Efficiency rankings, 3 members of their starting 5 and 1 bench player at least do a good job of making the most of their opportunities. Wilson (.587 FG %), Jones (.541) and Phillips (.563) all are doing an efficient job down low. In addition, Banks (.462) is doing a solid job on the Wing. None of these aside from Wilson are volume scorers, however.
Team Weaknesses
* Ballhandling/Turnovers: As a team, the Dukes average 14.9 turnovers per contest, placing them # 276 in the nation in the category. While Lewis is JMU's point guard by default, he is not capable in this role. He's turned the ball over as many times (42) as he's dished out assists. However, he's too much of an offensive threat to remove from the starting lineup, even though Parker sports a 3.25 A/TO ratio off the bench. Banks has been especially troublesome in the turnover department, with a team-leading 53 alongside just 31 assists (0.58 Ratio).
* Overall Defense: JMU ranks # 221 in FG % Defense (.441) and # 255 in Ken Pomeroy's Defensive Efficiency Ratings, which adjust for schedule strength. Just 2 seasons ago, despite finishing the season with a 10-23 record, the Dukes were ranked # 162 in Defensive Efficiency, in Lou Rowe's first season as Head Coach. This downward trend in overall defense for the program is, of course, very concerning.
* Inexperience: The Dukes only have 2 upperclassmen among their top 8 players in minutes, as the rotation is dominated by Sophomores (5) along with 1 Freshman (Parker). While this should bode well for JMU two years from now, they're dealing with a lot of growing pains as a unit. This helps explain a lot about the cause of all the turnovers and defensive issues.
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