Hard to believe it's only 3 days away, and also hard to believe there is not yet a game thread. (that I could find)

Season starts off tough with two road games at Mich St, and then last year's MAC champion Kent State.

A split to start the season would be a great start. (I admit I have no idea about KSU other than last year's results)

(11-03-2023 10:26 AM)Dukester Wrote:  Hard to believe it's only 3 days away, and also hard to believe there is not yet a game thread. (that I could find)

Season starts off tough with two road games at Mich St, and then last year's MAC champion Kent State.

A split to start the season would be a great start. (I admit I have no idea about KSU other than last year's results)

Myself, PGJMU, and JMUJohn will be in attendance at MSU game and hoping for a decently competitive game.

(11-03-2023 10:40 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(11-03-2023 10:26 AM)Dukester Wrote:  Hard to believe it's only 3 days away, and also hard to believe there is not yet a game thread. (that I could find)

Season starts off tough with two road games at Mich St, and then last year's MAC champion Kent State.

A split to start the season would be a great start. (I admit I have no idea about KSU other than last year's results)

Myself, PGJMU, and JMUJohn will be in attendance at MSU game and hoping for a decently competitive game.

I invited 94computerguy to join us, but I am still waiting to hear back.

I might take the train from chicago for this...but arrives at 9pm

This has to be one of the biggest regular season games JMU has ever played. But I have no expectations that it will be a good game. The Breslin Center is a hornet’s nest and possibly the best home court advantage in hoops. 4000 Students completely surround the court as they should.

I had a little more hope when JMU had the advantage of a Summer tour in Italy for multiple games, but Coach said the competition was weak and not to his liking.
Plus, Michigan State just had an exhibition Fundraiser game against Tennessee last week. (JMU need to get on that train for solid team prep).
The Spartans will come in more battle tested than JMU so the element of first game jitters/uncertainty is not there.

The strong competition can only help JMU even if they get spanked. Sun Belt is a one bud league and the OOC record is irrelevant this year.

How serious is Michigan State's fanbase taking the game? First game of the year, first week of November, Monday night... probably a best case scenario for us.

Let's go get em.

i listened to mettlen's pod cast. sounds like Edwards jammed his thumb and may not be available. not a long term injury, but makes him questionable for monday

I’d expect a sellout. Spartan fans are hardcore professionals and it will be raucous as usual. The Izzone is the model for student sections across America.

In the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, JMU gets to play against Tyson Walker again who was an excellent guard for Northeastern in the CAA.

Izzo is a Hall of Fame coach. It will be a treat just to see him in action against the Dukes. These opportunities don’t come around very often.

(11-03-2023 10:40 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(11-03-2023 10:26 AM)Dukester Wrote:  Hard to believe it's only 3 days away, and also hard to believe there is not yet a game thread. (that I could find)

Season starts off tough with two road games at Mich St, and then last year's MAC champion Kent State.

A split to start the season would be a great start. (I admit I have no idea about KSU other than last year's results)

Myself, PGJMU, and JMUJohn will be in attendance at MSU game and hoping for a decently competitive game.

Damn, that’s a nice trip. I’m totes jelly, as the kids say.

Will be down for the app game. Hope to catch up with you all.

(11-03-2023 12:44 PM)PGJMU Wrote:  i listened to mettlen's pod cast. sounds like Edwards jammed his thumb and may not be available. not a long term injury, but makes him questionable for monday

Dang-that's too bad. I don't mind that we'll likely lose to a Top 5ish team. But was really looking forward to seeing how we stack up against them with our best team out there. Will be watching nonetheless- Go Dukes!

Looking forward to watching a tough game.

(11-03-2023 12:47 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  I’d expect a sellout. Spartan fans are hardcore professionals and it will be raucous as usual. The Izzone is the model for student sections across America.

In the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, JMU gets to play against Tyson Walker again who was an excellent guard for Northeastern in the CAA.

Izzo is a Hall of Fame coach. It will be a treat just to see him in action against the Dukes. These opportunities don’t come around very often.

Was really hoping to make this trip, but not gonna be able to swing it. I can't wait, and really think we could go in and shock them... A lot less likely if we don't have Fatt though.

Certainly will be a tough matchup to start, wow.

This will be a learning game for sure and would be a massive upset if JMU could find a way to win. At any rate, the Dukes’ weaknesses will be exposed quickly and coach will know what they need to work on the most for the balance of the season. The Dukes only return one starter (zero if you consider who started in the SBC tourney last year). Still, I’d much rather have a game like this than cupcake city that teaches you nothing.

Way too much experience for the Spartans who have one of the best backcourts in the nation. Throw in a couple of fantastic Freshmen and the Dukes will be significantly outmanned tomorrow night.
But that’s why they play the games. Stranger things have happened.

It sucks that Amadi is done before the year even started. He was good for 30 or 40 high percentage dunks per year, but more importantly he was the best point of the full court press with his length and athleticism. Seems like the curse of the Lefthander lives on and JMU can’t seem to ever get a season with no key injuries.

I don’t think any of the transfers are huge game changers from what I have seen. Perhaps they can gel and make an impact by being a collection of good players who play very well together as an unselfish unit.

The squad is a little bigger this year and it will be interesting to see if Byington changes his style to match the personnel.

Lastly, I talked to coach a few months ago and he said the fans will have a love/hate relationship with Jaylen Carey. He is a big body who will only get stronger in college, but likes to roam the perimeter at times and shoot 3’s. Coach is going to allow it because it was the only way he could sign him as a recruit. Let’s see what his shot looks like. When you are 6’8” 250lbs I’d rather see you use your God Given size in the paint to dominate some stringbean bozos.

#4 Michigan State 80
James Madison 60

Time for an upset win :)

(11-05-2023 07:14 PM)hburg Wrote:  Time for an upset win :)

Amen.

Would think Edwards status is of most importance here. Seems up in air.

Whoa , how about this crazy stat…
Izzo has never lost at home in November. 74-0

Big TEN Network streaming is embedded in the FOX SPORTS app. This game is not showing available on ESPN according to the JMU website.

Pulled in up on the ROKU this morning to check and it looks good to go.