Dukes Move Up to #22; Head to Mexico for Cancun Challenge

MAYA RIVIERA, MEXICO — Following a thrilling 76-73 win at home on Friday, the James Madison University men's basketball team moved up two spots in the AP Top 25 Men's College Basketball Poll. JMU collected 217 points in the AP Top 25. It's the most points they have ever received in the poll. The #22 Dukes are set to face Southern Illinois on Tuesday as a part of the Cancun Challenge. The game takes place in Maya Riviera, Mexico at 6 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Chris Walker and Brett Dolan on the call.

OH, DOWN IN MEXICO

The JMU/Radford game on Friday was the first of the tournament, but the Dukes got to play it at home in Harrisonburg, in front of a crowd of 8,014, which was the second largest in the four-year history of the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
Following Tuesday's game against Southern Illinois, JMU will play its third game of the tournament against either Fresno State or New Mexico on Wednesday.
This will be the 16th edition of the Men's Cancun Challenge, which welcomes eight teams in two divisions.
James Madison is in the Riviera Division which includes Southern Illinois, Fresno State, and New Mexico State. The Mayan Division features Chicago State, Morgan State, Northern Colorado, and Radford.
This is the first time that JMU has been in the Cancun Challenge.

SOLID SALUKIS

The Southern Illinois Salukis had a strong 2022-23 campaign, going 23-10 (14-6, Missouri Valley) and
They were picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. Last year, they secured the No. 3 seed but fell to the No. 2-seeded Drake Bulldogs in the semifinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
This year they have started 3-0 with resounding wins against Kentucky State, Queens, and most recently Chicago State on Thursday.
Through their first three games, the Salukis have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 23.3 points per game.
Southern Illinois has yet to play anywhere outside of its home court. Each of their three games took place at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
Meanwhile, JMU will have played at four venues through its first five games.

SCOUTING FOR WEDNESDAY

The winner of JMU/Southern Illinois will take on the winner of New Mexico/Fresno State on Wednesday.
The New Mexico State Aggies arrive south of the border with a 3-2 record. The Fresno State Bulldogs come to Cancun at 2-1.
This is Head Coach Jason Hooten's first year with the New Mexico State program.
Twelve of the 15 players on the roster for Fresno State are upperclassmen, three of whom were starters - Isaiah Hill (12.6 PPG in 2022-23), Eduardo Andre (8.3 PPG) and Leo Colimerio (5.3 PPG).

LAST TIME OUT FOR JMU

Against Radford on Friday, T.J. Bickerstaff contributed significantly to the team's scoring, recording 20 points and leading the team with eight rebounds. His impactful performance included two steals and an assist, and then a key and-one opportunity at the 7:14 mark of the second half. He stayed clutch down the stretch, sinking crucial free throws at the 1:22 mark, ultimately contributing to JMU's 76-73 victory. His 20 points came on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting (61.5% FG) and accounted for 26.3% of the Dukes' scoring.
Following a historic start to the season, Terrence Edwards Jr. scored a team-high 21 points against the Highlanders. During the opening week of the college basketball season, he was named Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the Lou Henson award National Player of the Week, the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week and the Associated Press National Player of the Week.

COMING BACK FROM CANCUN

The Dukes return to Harrisonburg and host Buffalo on Wednesday, November 29 at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Corey Spector and David Taylor. Dave Riggert will host the radio broadcast (92.1 FM / 550 AM), which is also available on the Varsity Network App.

Calendar