What To Know
- This stretch will be crucial in determining whether the Dukes can secure a top-two seed in the CAA Tournament, which would give them a bye to the semifinals.
- However, a strong finish to the regular season and a CAA Tournament title could see the Dukes move up the seed line.
- they need to finish strong in the regular season, secure a top-two seed in the CAA Tournament, and win the CAA Tournament championship.
With the regular season winding down, the question on every college basketball fan‘s mind is: “Can JMU basketball make the NCAA Tournament?” The Dukes, led by dynamic coach Mark Byington, have been making waves in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) this season, and their recent success has fueled speculation about their chances of reaching the Big Dance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the factors that will determine whether JMU can secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament and analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and remaining schedule.
A Resurgent Season:
After a disappointing 2021-22 campaign, JMU has bounced back with a vengeance this season. The Dukes currently sit at 19-10 overall and 12-4 in CAA play, good for second place in the conference standings. This resurgence is largely due to the emergence of several key players, including senior guard Matt Lewis and junior forward Mezie Offurum. Lewis is averaging 18.1 points per game, while Offurum is contributing 16.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
JMU’s strengths lie in their balanced scoring attack and their ability to defend the three-point line. The Dukes have five players averaging double-figures in scoring, which makes them a difficult matchup for opponents. They also rank among the top teams in the CAA in three-point defense, holding opponents to just 30.8% from beyond the arc.
However, JMU has struggled at times to defend the paint, allowing opponents to shoot 50.8% from inside the arc. They also have a tendency to commit turnovers, averaging over 14 per game. These weaknesses could prove costly in the NCAA Tournament, where teams are more likely to exploit these deficiencies.
Remaining Schedule:
JMU has a challenging remaining schedule, with four of their final six games coming against teams currently ranked in the top half of the CAA standings. This stretch will be crucial in determining whether the Dukes can secure a top-two seed in the CAA Tournament, which would give them a bye to the semifinals.
CAA Tournament Implications:
The CAA Tournament will be a major factor in determining JMU’s NCAA Tournament fate. The Dukes have won the CAA Tournament three times in the past six years, and they will be looking to do so again this season. A CAA Tournament title would automatically qualify JMU for the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their regular season record.
NCAA Tournament Projections:
Currently, JMU is projected to be a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. However, a strong finish to the regular season and a CAA Tournament title could see the Dukes move up the seed line.
The Bottom Line: A Path to the NCAA Tournament:
JMU’s path to the NCAA Tournament is clear: they need to finish strong in the regular season, secure a top-two seed in the CAA Tournament, and win the CAA Tournament championship. If they can accomplish these goals, they will have a good chance of reaching the Big Dance for the first time since 2019.
Popular Questions
Q: What are JMU’s chances of winning the CAA Tournament?
A: JMU has a good chance of winning the CAA Tournament, having won it three times in the past six years. They have a balanced scoring attack and a strong defense, which will be key in tournament play.
Q: Who are JMU’s key players?
A: JMU’s key players are senior guard Matt Lewis and junior forward Mezie Offurum. Lewis is averaging 18.1 points per game, while Offurum is contributing 16.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.
Q: What is JMU’s remaining schedule?
A: JMU has a challenging remaining schedule, with four of their final six games coming against teams currently ranked in the top half of the CAA standings. This stretch will be crucial in determining whether the Dukes can secure a top-two seed in the CAA Tournament.
