JMU’s Sun Belt expectations get an early test on the road

James Madison’s women will take a strong Sun Belt forecast into a November schedule that starts on the road. The Dukes open at Miami (Ohio) on November 2, then visit Virginia Tech and Virginia later in the month as they prepare for conference play.

JMU was picked first in the Sun Belt coaches poll for the fourth straight season, drawing 189 points and 11 first-place votes. Tuesday’s USA TODAY Sports preseason coaches poll added three national voting points, leaving the Dukes outside the top 25.

Troy was second with 166 points and Arkansas State third with 165. Marshall and Louisiana Tech rounded out the top five. The gap gives JMU the clearest preseason backing in the league.

Three Dukes earn preseason honors

Bree Robinson made the All-Sun Belt first team, Zakiya Stephenson the second and Grace McDonough the third. JMU’s three honorees were the most of any program on the conference’s 15-player preseason teams.

The league selected Arkansas State guard Crislyn Rose as preseason player of the year. She averaged 4.6 assists last season and started all 37 games, giving the third-place Red Wolves an established creator as they try to catch the Dukes.

JMU finished last season 26-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play, the Sun Belt reported. The school’s preseason poll announcement also noted a No. 43 finish in the NET rankings.

November begins away from home

Sean O’Regan’s team opens November 2 at Miami (Ohio) in the MAC-SBC Challenge, then hosts Central Connecticut State on November 5. WHSV’s local coverage confirmed the trip to Oxford for the women’s opener and the Sun Belt poll results.

The early schedule then includes road games at Virginia Tech on November 8 and Virginia on November 19, according to JMU’s current athletics listing. Those trips offer tests beyond the conference before the Sun Belt schedule begins December 16.

Each Sun Belt team is scheduled to play 18 league games. The conference tournament runs March 2 through March 8 in Pensacola, Florida, with the title game on ESPNU.

Sources

• JMU: Preseason coaches-poll votes and opening dates
• Sun Belt: Women’s preseason poll and teams
• Associated Press: USA TODAY preseason coaches-poll totals
• WHSV: JMU preseason expectations