Men’s Basketball: Ousted in Semis
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 27, 2009
Beating Old Dominion in Norfolk earlier in the season must have given James Madison some confidence going into its CollegeInsider.com Tournament semifinal Thursday night. But with a relentless inside attack, the Monarchs made sure the Dukes would not repeat that feat, pummelling JMU 81-43. “We were never in this game; we never had a chance to get within striking distance,” JMU coach Matt Brady said via telephone interview. “It would be discouraging if you choose to look at it that... Read more »
Semis Calling
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 26, 2009
More than the amount of 3-pointers he took Wednesday night at Liberty, JMU senior forward Kyle Swanston was surprised by the number of open looks he got. Swanston went 9-of-20 in an 88-65 win over the Flames in the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, stepping up in the absence of senior forward Juwann James. James severely bruised his thumb against Mount Saint Mary’s last week, and is a game-time decision for tonight’s CIT semifinal contest at Old Dominion. Unfortunately for the... Read more »
Second-Round Bound in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 19, 2009
HARRISONBURG, Va. — James Madison seniors Juwann James and Kyle Swanston combined for only three points Wednesday against Mount Saint Mary’s, but two freshmen and James’ closest teammate Pierre Curtis made sure the forwards will get another chance to play. James didn’t play in the second half because of a wrist injury and didn’t score, while Swanston was limited to just one 3-pointer. But freshman point guard Devon Moore and Curtis keyed a critical 8-0 run midway through the second half... Read more »
Men’s Basketball: CIT Opens Postseason Door
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 17, 2009
An honor that hasn’t been bestowed on JMU since 1994 wasn’t taken for granted by Dukes coach Matt Brady, even after James Madison was invited to participate in the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) on Sunday night. Before the men’s basketball program accepted its first postseason bid in the last 15 seasons, the invitation had to clear JMU’s upperclassmen. “I recall coach Brady pullin’ me, Dazz [Thornton], and Pierre [Curtis] to the side — and Kyle [Swanston] — and askin’... Read more »
Six-Year Drought Over for Men’s Basketball
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 8, 2009
RICHMOND — Friends playfully became foes Saturday in James Madison’s first-round game against William & Mary, as the Dukes notched their first CAA tournament win in six seasons. It happened with just over four minutes remaining and the game well in hand. JMU junior guard Pierre Curtis picked himself off the floor after being knocked down on a drive, only to be met by another obstacle. Senior forward Juwann James stepped in front of him, and told Curtis he should have sent him a lob instead. “We... Read more »
Men’s Basketball: Dukes Ousted In CAA Quarterfinal
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 5, 2009
RICHMOND — The end of the first half might have been a glimpse into the future of the JMU men’s basketball program. Freshman point guard Devon Moore calmly handled the ball as time wound down, swishing a short jumper near the baseline with three seconds left to give James Madison a 25-24 lead going into halftime. Moore then beamed at the George Mason student band, turned his back and bounded toward half court wearing a smile as he went to the locker room. If only that scene had played... Read more »
A ‘Folksy’ Advocate
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 5, 2009
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden amuses gathering for Fellowship of Christian Athletes fundraiser HARRISONBURG, Va. — In addition to the 382 wins he’s piled up in coaching college football for more than 50 years, Bobby Bowden has taken an active role in something else: the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bowden, 79, spoke in front of about 350 people Tuesday night in the Festival Ballroom, as part of the FCA’s spring fundraising banquet. He captivated his audience for more than 40 minutes,... Read more »
First Time in a Long Time?
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 5, 2009
HARRISONBURG, Va. — James Madison’s first winning season since 1999-2000 has been a mixed bag for senior forwards Juwann James and Kyle Swanston. James has dominated when he’s played, averaging 16.5 points per game in Colonial Athletic Association games — despite starting in just one of his 13 conference appearances. He was forced to miss 11 games with pericarditis, an inflammation of the tissue layers surrounding the heart, and started coming off the bench as a precautionary measure. Without... Read more »
After Loss, CAA Tourney Awaits Men’s Basketball
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 2, 2009
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Senior forward Kyle Swanston’s return from injury wasn’t enough for James Madison in its final regular-season game Saturday, as Delaware handed the Dukes a 79-65 defeat in Newark, Del. Swanston went 2-of-3 in his return from a possible concussion suffered against Gardner-Webb a week ago, attempting only 3-pointers — including the first bucket of the game, which was followed by a 21-0 Delaware run. The Dukes went into halftime down 39-27 and never caught up, as senior forward... Read more »
After Loss, CAA Tourney Awaits
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeMarch 1, 2009
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Senior forward Kyle Swanston’s return from injury wasn’t enough for James Madison in its final regular-season game Saturday, as Delaware handed the Dukes a 79-65 defeat in Newark, Del. Swanston went 2-of-3 in his return from a possible concussion suffered against Gardner-Webb a week ago, attempting only 3-pointers — including the first bucket of the game, which was followed by a 21-0 Delaware run. The Dukes went into halftime down 39-27 and never caught up, as senior... Read more »
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