JMU will put the league's best scoring defense on the line today in the second semi-final game against Delaware. The Dukes have held opponents to 60 points/game. The Blue Hens average 71/game, good enough for third in the CAA. These two forces will definitely clash this afternoon.
The Dukes had to face the CAA's second best scorer last night; the Tribe's Marcus Thornton (19.3/game). Today they'll face the league's best, Delaware's Devon Saddler (20.9/game). Monte Ross also supplies the CAA's third best rebounder in Jamelle Haggins (9.1/game). Haggins is also second in the league in blocks at 2.4/game. Like I said in the keys to the game, JMU will need to limit Saddler's scoring and Haggins' window cleaning.
JMU's soul and commander, Devon Moore will need to take his league leading assist line and put it to good use. When he finds open Dukes, they make shots. It is as simple as that. At five assists/game, Moore is able to find open lanes that not many other CAA guards can even see, much less connect on.
Turnovers could aslo play into the Dukes' favor this afternoon. The team leads the CAA in TO-margin (+3.2). If they can bring some havoc to the Delaware guards; Jarvis Threatt, Kyle Anderson, and Saddler, JMU will be in good shape.
Delaware has won five straight since losing to JMU on 2/17. JMU has gone 3-2 since then.
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