If there was ever a time for a
player to step up, it’s during the NCAA Tournament. And given the arrest of
senior forward Rayshawn Goins late Sunday night followed by the sanction
imposed by Matt Brady and JMU Athletics, one might imagine that there were some
doubts about JMU’s ability to defeat LIU Brooklyn.
CAA Tournament Most Valuable Player
A.J. Davis led the way tonight with 20 points but not without the help of
freshman guards Andre Nation and Charles Cooke, JMU was able to halt the flight
of the Blackbirds to the next round.
Davis, Nation, and Cooke combined
for 49 of the Dukes 68 points. Davis started the game off with a 3-pointer that
set the tone for the Dukes right away. A huge alley-oop later in the first half
had the Pep Band up and on their feet. Combined with 5 blocks from Nation and 2
blocks and a charge drawn by Charles Cooke, the Dukes were able to keep LIU
Brooklyn from every getting in a groove. The Blackbirds led in the game for
only 44 seconds only to have James Madison go on a 9-0 scoring run.
The victory by the Dukes means that
they will play #1 Indiana but the Dukes don’t seem to be worried. Charles
Cooke, when asked about the Indiana game, commented “We feel like
we’re going to win, at the end of the day. That’s not being cocky, that’s
straight confidence.”
While
no #16 seed has ever beaten a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, this might be the
year to do it. The title of #1 Overall has changed hands seven times this
season. Of the five schools that have held the spot, Duke lost to Maryland and
Virginia, both of whom did not make the NCAA Tournament. This should give the
Dukes some hope in tomorrow’s game.
Winning
tomorrow wouldn’t be the first time JMU defeated a #1 seed this school year.
Last fall, JMU Soccer defeated UNC Chapel Hill in a 1-0 upset.
Despite
the victory last fall, a win tomorrow would still make NCAA history. Our hope
here in Harrisonburg is that the Dukes can continue with their attitude and
more players continue to step up.
Tomorrow’s
game versus Indiana starts at 4:10 PM and will be aired on TBS.
Also, check out Owen's games to watch here.
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