What a night for college basketball fans! The Barclays Center in Brooklyn was electrified as the No. 12 seed James Madison Dukes delivered a stunning 72-61 victory over the No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Dukes, who hadn’t been in the tournament since 2013, not only pulled off the upset but also declared it loud and clear: “It’s not an upset,” as Xavier Brown proclaimed, his pride for JMU on full display.
Terrence Edwards Jr. led the charge with 14 points, helping the Dukes advance and extend their nation-leading 14-game winning streak. The Dukes’ tenacity was evident from the get-go, as they dominated the first half with a defense that left the Badgers trailing by as much as 17 points before the break. The Dukes’ aggressive play resulted in 10 steals and forced 13 turnovers, holding Wisconsin to a mere 26% shooting.
Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit tried to keep hope alive with 18 second-half points, but every time the Badgers inched closer, the Dukes had an answer. Noah Freidel’s timely 3-pointer was a dagger to Wisconsin’s comeback hopes, and the chants of “J-M-U” reverberated through the arena, turning Brooklyn into a home game atmosphere for James Madison.
The Dukes’ journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable. They kicked off the season with a victory over Michigan State, which catapulted them into the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history. Despite some skepticism about their schedule, Coach Mark Byington and his squad knew they belonged on this stage. “We kind of heard things about our schedule not being tough and who we are,” Byington said. “And we knew we belonged.”
Their confidence was not misplaced. The Dukes’ performance against Wisconsin was a testament to their belief in themselves and their abilities. T.J. Bickerstaff and Julien Wooden each contributed 12 points, with Bickerstaff also grabbing nine rebounds. The team’s balanced scoring and relentless defense were too much for the Badgers, who were left reeling from the Dukes’ onslaught.
Looking ahead, the Dukes are set to face fourth-seeded Duke on Sunday, a matchup that has everyone buzzing with anticipation. It’s the first time these two teams will clash, and if the Dukes’ current form is anything to go by, it’s going to be a showdown to remember.
As the Dukes prepare for their next challenge, they do so with the support of their fans and the knowledge that they have already made history. With a victory that will be talked about for years to come, James Madison has shown that in March Madness, anything is possible and no team should ever be counted out.
Get ready for Sunday, because if there’s one thing this tournament has taught us, it’s to expect the unexpected. The Dukes have already shown they can rise to the occasion, and they’re just getting started. Bring on Duke!
