JMU Set to Clash With No. 18 Arkansas Monday

Monday, December 29

Fayetteville, Ark.

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

James Madison University

Arkansas

12/27/2025 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

DUKES CLASH WITH NO. 18 ARKANSAS MONDAY

James Madison men's basketball looks for a marquee road win on Monday, Dec. 29, as the Dukes will take on the nationally-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks from the Southeastern Conference at 8 p.m. (ET).
JMU enters this game with a 7-6 record after dropping a pair of road games at Old Dominion and Georgia Southern to begin Sun Belt Conference play. The Dukes are in the midst of a four-game road stretch that concludes with a game at A-State on Jan. 3.
The Razorbacks, led by Hall of Fame Head Coach John Calipari, sit at 9-3 and are No. 18 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. Arkansas has played a tough non-conference slate, with its three losses coming to No. 9 Michigan State, No. 6 Duke, and No. 8 Houston.

FULL CIRCLE FOR COACH P AND COACH CAL

JMU will wrap up the 2025 calendar year and non-conference play with a matchup at Arkansas on Dec. 29.
The Razorbacks, led by Hall of Famer John Calipari, reached the Sweet 16 of the 2025 Division I Men's Basketball Championship and were picked to finish fifth in the preseason SEC Coaches' Poll.
Spradlin served under Calipari at the University of Kentucky from 2009-14. He served as a graduate assistant from 2009-11 and then was Director of Basketball Operations from 2012-14.
Spradlin was on the Wildcats' staff in 2012 when they defeated Kansas 67-59 for the National Championship.
The two coaches have faced off twice while Spradlin was the head coach at Morehead State - an exhibition in 2017 and a regular-season bout in 2020.

DUKES VS. THE SEC, RANKED OPPONENTS

Entering Monday's game, JMU owns a 4-10 record against current members of the Southeastern Conference. The Dukes' last matchup against an SEC foe was a road game at Florida on Dec. 20, 2017 - a 72-63 loss.
JMU's last win against an SEC team was on Nov. 30, 1996 - as the Dukes took down Mississippi State 75-72.
Against ranked opponents, JMU has won two of its last three games overall but is just 3-43 against ranked teams dating back to 1980.
The Dukes are searching for their first true road ranked win since defeating No. 4 Michigan State on Nov. 6, 2023 and first ranked win overall since taking down No. 23 Wisconsin in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

LAST TIME OUT

JMU fell, 96-92, in overtime against Georgia Southern at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Bradley Douglas led JMU (7-6, 0-2 Sun Belt) with a season-high 27 points as five Dukes reached double figures.
Despite trailing for most of the game, Georgia Southern (10-5, 2-0) won its seventh straight game on the heels of 25 points from Nakavieon White.
Along with Douglas, Eddie Ricks III finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, tallying his second double-double of the season. Cliff Davis also recorded 16 points, while Gabe Newhof chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds along with a career-high four blocks.
Aiding in the scoring effort for the Eagles was Spudd Webb, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds. Tyren Moore (16) and Alden Applewhite (15) also finished in double figures.

ON THE AIR

Monday's game will stream on SEC Network Plus with Brett Dolan (PxP), and Manny Watkins (analyst).
The game will also stream on WSVA 92.1 FM and the JMU Radio Network with Dave Riggert. Coverage from inside Bud Walton Arena will begin 30 minutes prior to tip.

SCOUTING ARKANSAS

Arkansas enters this game ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and a record of 9-3. This game will serve as the final non-conference bout for both teams, as the Dukes will begin Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Arkansas State.
Darius Acuff Jr., ranks among the nations elite players, averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 assists per game to lead the attack.