Dukes Welcome Norfolk State For Saturday Afternoon Tilt

Saturday, December 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

Norfolk State

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12/4/2025 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Game 11
Opponent: Norfolk State
Date: Sat., Dec. 6
Tipoff: 2 p.m. (eastern)
Location: Harrisonburg, Va.
Arena: Atlantic Union Bank Center
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: WSVA 92.1 FM | 550 AM

DUKES WELCOME NORFOLK STATE FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON TILT

James Madison men's basketball is set to host in-state foe Norfolk State on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
This will be the second meeting between the schools in as many years. Norfolk State defeated the Dukes 83-69 in Norfolk, Va., on Nov. 9, 2024.
JMU enters this game with a 6-4 record after defeating NC Central 67-62 on Dec. 3, ending the game on a 13-3 run after trailing 59-54 at the under-four media timeout.
Norfolk State is 4-5 this season, most recently falling 98-61 to No. 2 Arizona on Nov. 29.

ON THE AIR

Saturday's game will stream on ESPN+ with Curt Dudley (PxP), Kirby Dean (analyst), and Cece Evans (sideline).
The game can also be heard on WSVA 92.1 FM | 550 AM and the Varsity Network App with Dave Riggert. Coverage from inside the AUBC will begin 30 minutes prior to tip.

LAST TIME OUT

James Madison finished on a 13-3 run to take down North Carolina Central, 67-62, on Wednesday night in non-conference men's basketball action at the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
Despite shooting just 34.6 percent and trailing 59-54 with less than five minutes remaining, JMU (6-4) used a 13-3 run to surge late for the win, with Cliff Davis scoring eight of his 18 points in the final minutes to lead the charge.
Along with Davis' 18 points, Justin McBride recorded 16 points and added six rebounds. Eddie Ricks III notched a team-high seven rebounds and tallied five points and three assists, and Gabe Newhof chipped in eight points and six boards.
Gage Lattimore played 40 minutes for NC Central (3-7), scoring a game-high 29 points. Dionte Johnson added 16 points for the Eagles, while Kelechi Okworogwo corralled 12 rebounds.

SERIES HISTORY

JMU and Norfolk State have met five times, with the Spartans holding a slim 3-2 lead in the series against the Dukes.
NSU has taken the last three matchups against JMU, the last an 83-69 win over the Dukes on Nov. 9, 2024. The Dukes also fell to Norfolk State 83-73 on Nov. 27, 2020, and 74-71 in overtime on Dec. 22, 2014.
The first meeting between the two schools took place on Jan. 12, 1998, with JMU coming away with a 91-68 win. The Dukes also defeated the Spartans 72-64 on Dec. 2, 2009.

SCOUTING NORFOLK STATE

Norfolk State enters this contest with a 4-5 record. Most recently, the Spartans fell to No. 2 Arizona 98-61 in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 29.
The Spartans are led by Robert Jones, who is in his 13th season leading the team. He has accumulated a record of 240-164 (.594) during his tenure.
Jones has produced three NCAA tournament teams during his time at Norfolk State, including last season. Norfolk State has also won 20 games for four straight seasons, going 24-11 last year.
Three Spartans are averaging over 10 points per game: Anthony McComb III (17.0), Elijah Jamison (13.7), and Deveon Ellis (10.3).

JUSTIN MCBUCKETS

James Madison junior forward Justin McBride currently leads the Dukes with 15.7 points per game through the first month of the season.
McBride has scored in double figures in nine of 10 games, including three 20-point outings. He had a career-high 26 points at FIU on Nov. 24, going 8-of-14 from the floor with nine rebounds.
McBride also had 21 points against Towson on Nov. 18 and 24 against Omaha on Nov. 25.
This season, he is shooting 50 percent (52-104) from the floor and 51.4 percent (19-37) from behind the arc.
As of Thursday, Dec. 4, McBride is one of nine players in the country averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and from three (min two. 3PA)
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, McBride became the first JMU player since Bryce Lindsay in November 2024 to be named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. McBride earned the award by averaging 22.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over three games last week, shooting 53.7 percent (22-41) from the floor and 9-of-16 (.563) from three-point range, as JMU went 2-1.