Dukes Set for SBC Championship Showdown Against Arkansas State

Monday, March 11

Pensacola, Fla.

7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

Arkansas State

Dukes Set for SBC Championship Showdown Against Arkansas State

3/11/2024 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

No.2 James Madison Dukes (30-3, 15-3 SBC) vs. No.4 Arkansas State Red Wolves (18-15, 11-7 SBC)
March 11, 2024 - 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT
Pensacola, Fla. – Pensacola Bay Center

Game Links:
GAME NOTES · Live Stats · ESPN · Audio Broadcast
JMUSports.com · @JMUMBasketball · #GoDukes

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONCLUSION

Following a gritty 73-68 win over No. 11 Texas State on Sunday in the semifinals, the No. 2 seed James Madison men's basketball team earned the opportunity to face No. 4 Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference Championship title game on Monday evening.
At the conclusion of the semifinal round game, it was announced that the broadcast, originally slated for ESPN2, would be elevated to ESPN. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) inside the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla.

SCOUTING THE RED WOLVES

No. 4 Arkansas State punched its ticket to Championship Monday with wins over No. 5 Louisiana and No. 1 App State.
Despite a valiant effort to regain the lead, Arkansas State's stout defense denied App State's final attempts, sealing a 69-67 victory in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals. Freddy Hicks's buzzer-beating shot capped off a thrilling finish to advance to the tournament finale.
The Dukes and Red Wolves have faced one another just once this season. JMU came away with a 77-73 win on the road in Jonesboro, Ark. It was the first time in nearly 30 years that the matchup had occurred between the teams.

DUKES SEEK REVENGE

The Dukes were bounced in the semifinal round of the Sun Belt Championship last season, as No. 8 seed South Alabama upset the fourth-seeded Dukes. The Dukes are seeking their first berth in a title game in 11 years.
JMU started the 2023-24 campaign on a 14-game win streak, and bookended the season by finishing on a 10-game win streak. The team has now won 12 games in a row.
The Dukes are the only NCAA Division I team with multiple winning streaks of 10 or more games this season. Indiana State had streaks of 10 and nine, but neither of those streaks are still active. Their current 12-game win streak is the longest active streak.
Sunday night's win saw Noah Freidel turn in his biggest performance of the season with 28 points. Xavier Brown was the only other JMU player to record double-figure scoring in a highly-balanced attack, as he finished with 11 points on three first-half treys and a pair of clutch free throws in the final seconds.
The JMU women's basketball team also won its semifinal game on Sunday, making this the first time since 1995 that both men's and women's basketball teams made it to a conference championship.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Dukes look to continue their historic season with a conference championship and berth in the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2013.
It would be the fifth conference tournament title for the Dukes.
The Dukes lead the Red Wolves 3-0 in the all-time series.

DON'T MISS THE ACTION

Catch live coverage of the Dukes and Red Wolves on ESPN with Mike Morgan and Mark Wise on the call.
Fans can listen live on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network, locally on 92.1 FM or 550 AM or on the Varsity Network App, with Dave Riggert calling the action.