The James Madison Dukes (8-3) will attempt to extend a six-game winning streak when they match up with the East Carolina Pirates (7-4) at JMU Convocation Center. The game gets underway at 2:00 pm ET on Sunday, Dec. 20.
The Dukes easily got past George Mason 69-46 the last time they played. Ron Curry was the game’s high scorer with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting. The Pirates are coming off a 78-73 win over UNC Wilmington in their last outing. Kentrell Barkley stood out, accumulating 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Over the last five games, Shakir Brown has been playing at a high level for the Dukes. During that stretch, he has averaged 18.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 3.2 three-pointers. On the other side, the Pirates have their own duo that have been on a tear in that span. Barkley has averaged 14.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks, while B.J. Tyson has put up 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 three-pointer.
Half-court execution will be at a premium as James Madison ranks 266th in the nation in possessions per game (68.0 possessions per game), while East Carolina is 289th (67.2).
James Madison is a seven-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 140 points. The Dukes are attempting to build on their records of 8-3 Straight Up (SU) and 4-5 Against The Spread (ATS). James Madison is excellent from the perimeter with 110 three-pointers made (10.0 per game), the 19th-most in the country.
On the other side, East Carolina has a SU record of 7-4 and an ATS record of 5-2. East Carolina is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, converting 18.0 shots from the line per game.
James Madison and East Carolina will be facing off in their first head-to-head contest of the season. When they last met the Pirates were winners, moving their SU record against James Madison to 1-0. Additionally, East Carolina leads the matchup ATS with a record of 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – JMU, ATS Winner – ECU, O/U – Over
Notes
James Madison is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
James Madison is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
James Madison is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing East Carolina.
The James Madison Dukes average 78.8 points per game, ranking 81st in the nation. The East Carolina Pirates rank 83rd in points allowed with 66.5.
Ranked 31st, the James Madison Dukes have an offensive rating of 115.9. The East Carolina Pirates rank 132nd with a defensive rating of just 99.1.
The East Carolina Pirates average a field goal percentage of 44.4% this season. The James Madison Dukes have split their games this season (2-2) when opponents have a FG% of 44.4% or greater.
The James Madison Dukes rank lower for their field goal percentage (74th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (37th), but the East Carolina Pirates have a better FG% ranking (159th) than eFG% ranking (188th).
On average, James Madison makes 4.1 steals per game. East Carolina has a solid 5-3 record when it gives up at least 4 steals.
