.
The Opponent: James Madison Dukes (13-9, 6-3 CAA)
Coach: Matt Brady
The Skinny: The Dukes are very young, starting 4 sophomores and a junior. Of the seven players who play over 20 minutes a game, five are Sophs and 2 juniors. There are no seniors on the squad. They have been a surprise this season, with a strong effort to date and current 3rd place standing.
They are a solid defensive team, holding opponents to under 43% shooting but are prone to off shooting nights themselves. They are also not as strong on the glass as some of the Tribe’s recent opponents, but love to press and cause turnovers.
The Series: This is the 89th meeting between the Dukes and the Tribe. William & Mary is JMU’s longest continuous basketball rival. Madison leads the series with William & Mary 48-40. The last time the two teams met was in Williamsburg just a couple weeks ago, won by the Tribe by a score of 81-73. Last year’s Super Bowl weekend matchup in Harrisonburg was also won by W&M by 81-79.
Last week: The Dukes won a pair of home games, coming from behind to defeat Delaware (88-82) and Hofstra (69-63).
The Players:
• 6’4” Jr. G
Ron Curry averaged 23.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg last week while shooting 56% from the floor, including 8-of-11 from three. He scored a career-high 25 points at HU and had 15 vs. Delaware. He’s hit double figures in 8 straight games.
• 6’7” So. G
Jackson Kent has scored 19 and 13 points in his last two games and averages 10.7 a game. He is their top 3 point marksman at 43% from 3.
• 6’8” So. F
Yohanny Dalembert had 17 points against trhe Blue Hens. In CAA play, he’s shooting a league-best 62.9% from the floor and averaging 12.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
• 6’2” Jr. G
Winston Grays scored nine points at Hofstra and is averaging 10 ppg over his last seven contests.
• 6’ Fr. G
Joey McLean contributed 8 points off the bench at HU and 7 vs. Delaware and is averaging 7.7 ppg over his last five games.
Dukes Notes:
The Dukes have shot 46% or better from the floor in six of their nine CAA contests.
Ron Curry is the current CAA Co-Player of the Week.
In CAA play, the Dukes lead the league, limiting opponents to 40.7 percent from the field. JMU is third in the CAA at 6.6 steals per game.
Tribe Disa & Data:
•
Omar Prewitt averaged 24.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg last week, including a career-high 30 points at UD. He also had a team-high 19 points vs. NU and has 7 double-digit efforts in the last 11 games
•
Marcus Thornton led the Tribe with 24 points vs. Hofstra, and has scored over 1900 points in a W&M uniform. He set the W&M record for career treys (281) vs NU. He has reached double figures in 27 consecutive contests and has topped the 20-point mark eight times.
•
Terry Tarpey averaged 13.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 4.5 apg last week, including his 5th double-double (12pts/10reb) at UD. He’s tied for 1st in the CAA in rebounds (8.3 rpg), 4th in assists (3.8 apg) and 4th in steals (1.5 spg).
• W&M has shot 45% or better in 8 of its 9 CAA games. The Tribe has shot 50% or better 11 times this season.
• W&M has made 10 or more treys in five of its last eight contests.
The Broadcast: Countdown to Tipoff begins at 3:30 PM along the network and
http://www.tribeathletics.com . Join Jay, Charlie and I for the radio coverage. Be sure to tune in for Tony's pregame thoughts.
Final Thoughts: Tony Shaver owns a 17-11 mark against the Dukes. W&M-JMU match-ups have been close of late as seven of the last 13 contests have been decided by five or fewer points. This game should also come down to the final minutes, unless the Tribe can find a way to prevent the turnovers and lack of rebounding that have plagued them on the road this season. Also, there can be no second half let down on defense. The Tribe offense should take care of itself, especially if Sean Sheldon returns. The game will hinge on the defensive effort.
Go Tribe!!
.
/
PREVIEW Game 21 - W&M at James Madison
