James Madison Basketball Picked Second in Preseason Poll
The Dukes earned high conference praise following a 90-81 exhibition win over Richmond at the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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James Madison University was selected to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference preseason basketball poll. The team enters the season fresh off a 90-81 exhibition victory against Richmond.
Why it matters
The high preseason ranking highlights expectations for the Dukes as they integrate a roster featuring 13 newcomers. This ranking positions the team as a primary contender to challenge Arkansas State, which was picked to win the conference.
JMU roster turnover is significant with 13 newcomers and only two returning players. In the exhibition win, Paul Jones III scored 17 points and KJ Windham added 16 points.
The players
Preston Fowler
He is a basketball player for James Madison University who earned preseason All-Sun Belt second team honors.
Gage Lattimore
He is a student-athlete at James Madison University recognized with preseason All-Sun Belt second team honors.
KJ Windham
He is a guard for James Madison University who earned preseason All-Sun Belt third team honors.
Paul Jones III
He is a standout player for James Madison University who led the team with 17 points in their exhibition game.
The details
The Dukes established control early against Richmond, building a double-digit lead in the first half and stretching their advantage to 20 points after halftime. Nine players saw significant action with at least 14 minutes on the floor, while Cavan Reilly and Emarquis Jones remained sidelined with minor injuries.
Timeline
Sunday afternoon: JMU played an exhibition basketball game against Richmond.
November 2: JMU opens the regular season against Miami (Ohio).
Season Trajectory
The conference's high expectations for James Madison set the stage for a critical challenge against the established benchmark of Arkansas State's 20-12 record. This positioning signals that the Dukes are immediate contenders for the Sun Belt title despite having only two returning players.
Local fans can look forward to a deep rotation, as nine players logged significant minutes in the recent exhibition game. The team enters the regular season with three players earning All-Sun Belt honors, indicating high expectations for individual performance.
The takeaway
James Madison enters the season with a roster dominated by newcomers, making chemistry in the early non-conference schedule a vital factor. Fans should monitor the health of injured players like Cavan Reilly and Emarquis Jones as the team prepares for the November 2 season opener.
What happens next
James Madison University is scheduled to open its regular season at home against Miami (Ohio) on November 2.
Further reading
For more information on the team's outlook, visit the Harrisonburg Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Northern Virginia Daily.
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