JMU Hosts Valparaiso in Non-Conference Finale Monday

2014-15 JMU MEN'S BASKETBALL
GAME #13

12-2

VU Game Notes

Game Plan

James Madison closes out its non-conference schedule and the 2014 calendar year Monday when it hosts Valparaiso at the JMU Convocation Center. This is the third game of a four-game home stand for the Dukes.
The game can be seen live on MadiZONE HD SportsNet, presented by the JMU Alumni Association. It will also be heard on the JMU/nTelos Wireless Broadcast Network and WSVA AM 550.
This contest is sponsored by Aramark and is a 60's theme night at the Convo. Also, it is Parks & Recreation Night and all parks and rec participants can receive discounted tickets to the game by securing them in advance.

Scouting Report

JMU enters the non-conference finale with a 7-5 record and 6-3 mark at home while Valparaiso comes to town sporting a 12-2 record and is 2-1 in true road games (7-1 including neutral-site games).
Monday marks the second meeting between JMU and Valparaiso as Valpo owns a 1-0 record in the series after downing JMU 81-49 last season (Nov. 23, 2013) at Valparaiso.
In that game, Jordan Coleman led four VU players in double figures with a game-high 16 points and Valpo shot 58 percent from the floor, including 64 percent in the second half. The Dukes were limited to 38 percent shooting while Taylor Bessick and Charles Cooke both scored 14 points apiece in the defeat.
Last time out, the Dukes fell for the second straight home game, dropping a 74-71 overtime decision to Norfolk State on Dec. 22. On the other end, the Crusaders won their fourth in a row and 11th out of 12 with an 82-55 win over Goshen on Dec. 21.
Comparing the two teams, Valpo scores 73.0 points while allowing 59.6 points and JMU averages 67.1 points for while giving up 67.4 points per contest. The Crusaders, who hold a dominant plus-7.9 rebounding advantage, shoots 47.3 percent while the Dukes hold a 44.3 percent clip.
Players to watch are JMU's Jackson Kent and Valparaiso's Alec Peters. Kent scores 12.0 points per game and shoots 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 made treys per game. Peters ranks 33rd in the nation with 19.0 points per game and also ranks ninth in Division I in 3-point percentage (50.6).
Following this game, JMU prepares for the start of CAA play this Saturday, Jan. 3 when they host Towson at 4 p.m.

Previous Meeting between JMU and Valparaiso
2013-14: Valparaiso 81, JMU 49, Nov. 23, 2013
Valpo leads series 1-0 (First meeting in Harrisonburg)

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Bessick

Charles Cooke

Hari Hall

Jackson Kent

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Calendar

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Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Mid-American Conference on February 6, 2027 at TBA

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