HARRISONBURG VA: (ROCKTOWN NOW) – James Madison men’s basketball team is set to kick off the new year with a Sun Belt Conference clash against Southern Miss at the Atlantic Union Bank Center. The game,  Thursday at 7 p.m. will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on WSVA 92.1 FM | 550 AM and streaming on Rocktown Now and our app.

Team Records:

James Madison Dukes: 7-6 overall, 0-1 in Sun Belt
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: 6-7 overall, 1-0 in Sun Belt
Recent Performances: James Madison enters the game after a dominant 96-64 victory over Midway (Ky.), where 11 different players contributed to the scoring. The Dukes shot 52.9% from the field and held Midway to 31.4%. Bryce Lindsay and Eddie Ricks III led the team with 13 points each, with Ricks III also grabbing eight rebounds.

Southern Miss comes off an 80-70 win against William Carey and a narrow 68-66 victory over Marshall in their Sun Belt opener. The Golden Eagles were picked fifth in the preseason Sun Belt coaches poll, with guard Andre Curbelo earning Third Team All-Sun Belt honors.

Head-to-Head: The Dukes have yet to defeat Southern Miss in their two previous meetings, both of which took place in Hattiesburg. The Golden Eagles won 81-71 on Jan. 4, 2024, and 83-70 on Jan. 21, 2023.

Key Players:

James Madison Dukes: Bryce Lindsay (13 points per game), Eddie Ricks III (8 rebounds per game)
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Denijay Harris (17.2 points, 10.3 rebounds per game), Neftali Alvarez (12.1 points per game)
Venue and Broadcast Information:

Location: Atlantic Union Bank Center, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Broadcast: ESPN+, WSVA 92.1 FM | 550 AM, Varsity Network App
Parking Information:

Reserved Parking: Available through the North Entrance of the Ballard Parking Deck on a first-come, first-served basis.
General Parking: Accessible via the South Entrance of the Ballard Parking Deck and adjacent surface lots, available two hours before game time.
This matchup promises to be an exciting start to the new year as both teams aim to improve their standings in the Sun Belt Conference