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The James Madison Dukes are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The men's basketball team was founded in 1945, and the women's basketball team was founded in 1920, making it one of the longest-running women's basketball programs in the country. The school's campus is in northern Virginia, southwest of Washington, D.C., and northwest of the state capital, Richmond. The Dukes play as members of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC), which sponsors sports at the NCAA Division I level.
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James Madison University's basketball team
The James Madison Dukes are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The name "Dukes" comes from Samuel Page Duke, the university's second president. The Dukes play as members of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC), which sponsors sports at the NCAA Division I level. James Madison University has an 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program, including men's and women's basketball teams.
The men's basketball team was founded in 1945 but did not become a fully developed program until the late 1960s as James Madison University transitioned to a fully coeducational institution. The 1969–1970 season was the first as a varsity intercollegiate program. The team has appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2024. The Dukes play their home games at the on-campus Atlantic Union Bank Center, which opened in November 2020 and seats 8,500 fans. The team is currently led by head coach Preston Spradlin, who was hired in 2024.
The women's basketball team was founded in 1920, making it one of the longest-running women's basketball programs in the country. The team has made the NCAA tournament eleven times, most recently in the 2013-2014 season. They have also participated in the WNIT six times. The women's athletics tradition at JMU is among the oldest in the nation, dating back to the institution's founding in 1908. Strong intercollegiate programs for women have been in place at the university since the early 1920s.
In addition to the intercollegiate teams, there is also a men's club basketball team at JMU. The club strives to play organized basketball at a competitive level and aims to win the Club Basketball National Championship. The club has around 20-25 members and hosts home tournaments at UREC each semester, as well as travelling to other schools for tournaments. They participate in the NCBBA (National Club Boys Basketball Association), which has over 150 teams across the country.
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The team's location in Harrisonburg, Virginia
The James Madison Dukes men's basketball team is based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where it represents James Madison University. The school is located in the Shenandoah Valley region, in the northern part of the state, and is around 130 miles from both Washington D.C. and the state capital, Richmond. It is also just 31 miles from the West Virginia border and 61 miles from Charlottesville, which is home to the University of Virginia.
The Dukes play their home games at the on-campus Atlantic Union Bank Center, which opened in November 2020 and has a seating capacity of 8,500. The team joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2022, having previously been a member of the Colonial Athletic Association since that league's establishment in 1979. The team's rivals include other in-state members of the Colonial Athletic Association, such as William & Mary, VCU, George Mason, and Richmond.
The James Madison University campus is situated in Harrisonburg, an independent city in Virginia. The city is known for its vibrant culture and diverse community, with a population of around 50,000 people, including a significant student population from the university. Harrisonburg offers a blend of urban and natural amenities, providing a unique setting for the basketball team and its fans.
The university itself has a strong focus on academics, offering over 70 majors and more than 139 programs of study. The campus community is made up of approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,752 graduate students, creating a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment. The basketball team's success has become a source of pride and unity for the university and the city of Harrisonburg, fostering a sense of community and spirit among its members.
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The team's performance in the NCAA tournament
The James Madison Dukes men's basketball team has represented James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the NCAA Tournament six times, most recently in 2024.
The team first appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament in 1981, under head coach Lou Campanelli, who led the program from 1972 to 1985. In their inaugural Division I tournament, the Dukes won their first game against Georgetown. They continued their winning streak in the following years, advancing to the second round of the 1982 tournament, where they lost by two points to the eventual national champions, the University of North Carolina.
After a long absence from the NCAA Tournament, the Dukes returned in 2013 under head coach Matt Brady, who had been hired in 2008. As a 16th seed, the Dukes defeated Long Island in the First Four before falling to Indiana in the second round. This marked the team's second appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2020, Mark Byington was hired as the new head coach of the Dukes. Byington led the team to significant successes in the 2023-24 season, including road wins against Michigan State and Kent State, breaking both teams' home-winning streaks. The Dukes continued their winning streak, defeating Old Dominion University to achieve their best season start in program history at 9-0. They went on to win the 2024 Sun Belt Conference men's basketball tournament, securing an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. In the first round of the tournament, the Dukes defeated the 5th-seeded Wisconsin Badgers, advancing to the second round for the third time in their history.
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The team's coaches
The James Madison Dukes men's basketball team is the intercollegiate basketball program representing James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The team has had 11 head coaches in its 54-season history.
Lou Campanelli was the head coach of the James Madison Dukes from 1972 to 1985. During his 13 years with the team, Campanelli led the Dukes to two NCAA Division II basketball tournaments and three NCAA Division I basketball tournaments. In their first appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament in 1981, the Dukes won against Georgetown. Campanelli left James Madison in 1985 to take up a coaching position at the University of California.
John Thurston was hired as the fourth head coach of the James Madison Dukes men's basketball team in 1985, replacing Lou Campanelli. Thurston resigned in January 1988, and Tom McCorry served as interim head coach for the remainder of the 1987-88 season.
In 2008, Matt Brady was hired as the head coach of the James Madison Dukes men's basketball program. In his first season, Brady led the team to an 18-win regular season and their first postseason berth since 1994. Under Brady's leadership, the Dukes won their first CAA tournament in 2013, earning a spot in the NCAA tournament. Despite winning 21 games, Brady was fired after the 2016 season.
In 2016, James Madison hired alumnus and former assistant coach Louis Rowe as the program's tenth men's basketball coach. Rowe was fired after the 2019-20 season and was replaced by Mark Byington in March 2020. Byington previously served as the head coach at Georgia Southern. Under Byington's leadership, the Dukes shared the regular-season title in his first season and defeated Virginia for the first time in program history. In the 2023-24 season, the team broke their record for the best start to a season, achieving a 9-0 start.
On March 29, 2024, Preston Spradlin was hired as the new head coach of the James Madison Dukes men's basketball team. Spradlin had previously led the Morehead State Eagles for eight seasons.
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The team's performance in the CAA tournament
The James Madison Dukes men's basketball team has had a notable history in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament, achieving success and making a strong impact.
In the 2008 season, the Dukes' performance was noteworthy. Under the leadership of head coach Matt Brady, who was hired in 2008, the team achieved an impressive 18-win regular season. This success paved the way for their first postseason berth since 1994, marking a significant turnaround for the program.
The 2013 season stands out as a memorable year for the Dukes in the CAA tournament. With Matt Brady still at the helm, the team won their first CAA tournament since 1994, securing a place in the NCAA Tournament. As a 16th seed in the NCAA Tournament, they defeated Long Island in the First Four before falling to Indiana in the second round. This victory over Long Island broke a long drought, as it was their first tournament win since 1983.
In 2015, the Dukes continued their strong performance in the CAA under Brady, sharing the regular season CAA title. However, they fell short in the CAA Tournament and had to settle for an invitation to the CIT tournament. Despite Brady's eventual dismissal after the 2016 season, he left a positive mark on the program, guiding the team to 21 wins that year.
The Dukes have had a long-standing rivalry with Old Dominion, a fellow member of the CAA, adding an extra layer of intensity to their encounters. This rivalry extends beyond basketball and encompasses all sports, known as the "Royal Rivalry."
In recent years, the Dukes have continued to thrive. In the 2023-24 season, they achieved notable road wins against Michigan State and Kent State, breaking both teams' home-winning streaks. This strong start to the season propelled them into the AP Top 25 rankings for the first time. The Dukes' success continued with a win over Howard and a record-breaking start to the season, defeating Old Dominion University to start with a 9-0 record.
The James Madison Dukes have left their mark on the CAA tournament, with their performances contributing to a rich basketball history. Their achievements have included breaking droughts, earning postseason berths, and sharing regular-season titles. The rivalry with Old Dominion has also added a layer of intrigue to their CAA journey.
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Frequently asked questions
The James Madison Dukes are based in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The Dukes are a part of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC).
The Dukes joined the SBC on July 1, 2022.
The James Madison Dukes compete in NCAA Division I.
The James Madison Dukes play their home games at the on-campus Atlantic Union Bank Center.
