Wahoo Preview: No. 3 Virginia vs. James Madison

No. 3 Virginia aims to stay unbeaten heading into exam break, as James Madison makes the short trip over the mountain Tuesday for an 8-p.m. in-state showdown at John Paul Jones Arena (ACC Network).

The Dukes (7-2) pulled off the upset over the Cavaliers last season in Harrisonburg for their first win against UVA in program history.

The Wahoos (7-0) lead the all-time series, 11-1, and will have an 11-day layoff before taking the court against the nation’s current top-ranked team when Houston comes to JPJ on Dec. 17.

JMU enters tonight’s contest leading the nation in scoring at 93.3 points per game, while the Hoos are tied for 23rd among Division-I schools in points allowed at 59.0 per game.

The Dukes have eclipsed the century mark three times this season, with a season-high 123 points in the opener against Valley Forge (a D-III school). JMU also defeated Coastal Georgia, an NAIA school, 100-54.

The Dukes’ other wins came against Hampton, Buffalo, Howard, South Dakota State and most recently Eastern Kentucky, with losses at then-No. 1 North Carolina (80-64) on Nov. 20 and against Valparaiso in overtime (81-79) over Thanksgiving weekend at the Hostilo Community Classic in Savannah, Ga.

Head coach Mark Byington has three players averaging a dozen points or better, with Takal Molson leading the way with 12.6 points per contest. Terrence Edwards (12.3 ppg) and Vado Morse (12.0) have also helped lead the team in the scoring category, with Mezie Offurum not far behind at 11.0 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game.

The Cavaliers were able to hang on against Florida State over the weekend in the ACC opener, thanks to a game-high 18 points from Kihei Clark. As mentioned, the Hoos will have over a week off for exams before hosting the top-ranked Cougars, and can’t afford to overlook the Dukes this evening.