Dukes Set Sail for Battle Against the Pirates

Saturday, December 16

Hampton, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

Hampton

12/15/2023 11:13:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Game Notes - JMU @ Hampton - 12/16/23

James Madison Dukes (9-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Hampton Pirates (4-5, 0-0 CAA)
Saturday, December 16, 2023 - 2 p.m.
Convocation Center, Hampton, Va.

Game Links:
Game Notes
Live Stats | FloHoops Stream | Audio Broadcast
JMUSports.com | @JMUMBasketball | #GoDukes

JMU Aims to Extend Undefeated Streak on the Road
- The #20 James Madison Dukes (9-0) hit the road to face the Hampton Pirates (4-5) at the Convocation Center in Hampton, Va., on Saturday, December 16, at 2 p.m.
- Despite the Dukes holding a 5-1 edge in the historical matchup versus Hampton, they have never secured a road victory against the Pirates. JMU is 210-232 (.475) all-time against current CAA members.
- The Pirates hold opponents to one of the lowest 3PT FG% in the country (.269 - 15th), meanwhile the Dukes are shooting well behind the arc (.388 - 30th). This game will test both sides of the stat sheets.
- Sharpshooters Noah Freidel (ranks 36th in 3PT FG%), Terrence Edwards Jr, and Michael Green III each boast 3-point shooting percentages above 40%, adding a potent outside threat to JMU's offensive arsenal.

Dynamic Offense, Lockdown Defense
- JMU's high-scoring offense, averaging a nation-leading 94.1 points per game, includes a starting rotation of Terrence Edwards Jr., T.J. Bickerstaff, Noah Freidel, and Michael Green III, who each average over 10 points per game. Their fifth starter, forward Julien Wooden, is just behind them with 9.2 PPG.
- This week, T.J. Bickerstaff was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. He had the 2nd best RPG (12.0) and 3rd best PPG (21.0) across the Sun Belt Conference. No other player ranked in the Top 3 in both categories. His season averages of 16.6 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game have allowed him to record three double-doubles already this season. He is the second Duke this season to earn Sun Belt Player of the Week this season (Edwards Jr. - Week 1).

Scoping the Pirates
- Hampton, coming off a decisive 100-53 victory over Mary Baldwin, is balanced with strengths in bench scoring, three-point defense, and free throw accuracy. Tedrick Wilcox Jr. holds the 15th-best free throw percentage in Division I, while Kyrese Mullen ranks ninth nationally in double-doubles.
- Hampton's defensive prowess is evident in holding opponents to the 15th best three-point shooting percentage (26.9%).
- Facing Kent State as their sole common opponent, JMU clinched a memorable 113-108 double-overtime victory on the road over the Golden Flashes, contrasting sharply with Hampton's 100-62 defeat in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The divergent outcomes add an intriguing layer to the upcoming contest.

What's At Stake
- The matchup promises to test contrasting strengths, with JMU's high-scoring offense against Hampton's defensive prowess.
- The Dukes are now in their fifth-consecutive week of being ranked within the AP Top 25 since making their program debut on the list in November. Despite their continued dominance and unblemished mark as one of just seven remaining undefeated teams, they still dropped two spots from #18 to #20. This just shows that they will need to have a strong outing against Hampton if they hope to stay on the list. All seven undefeated teams play on Saturday, so things could shake up on this upcoming week's rankings.
- With national rankings at stake, both teams aim to make a statement in this non-conference showdown.

Don't miss the excitement as the James Madison Dukes aim to conquer the Pirates at the Convocation Center in Hampton, Va. Tune in on FloHoops for live coverage, follow @JMUMBasketball on Twitter for updates, and catch radio commentary with Dave Riggert on 92.1 FM / 550 AM and the Varsity Network App.