By CHARLIE PARENT
James Madison routed Arkansas State 91-71 Monday to win the Sun Belt Championships and punch the fifth NCAA Tournament ticket of 2024.
The Dukes (31-3) played one of the most efficient basketball games in recent memory, shooting 63.6% from the field and 57.9% from deep with just three turnovers.
All five starters scored in double-figures as sophomore guard Xavier Brown had 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Sun Belt Player of the Year Terrence Edwards Jr. had 19 as well.
James Madison is playing one of the most efficient games in human history pic.twitter.com/J4IHQAXsFX
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 12, 2024
Freddy Hicks posted a game-high 24 points for Arkansas State just one day after his buzzer-beater took down No. 1 seed Appalachian State.
James Madison, who was ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll earlier this season, is a projected 12-seed in ESPN Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology. Based on other bracketologists’ projections, the Dukes could rise as high as the 10-line come Selection Sunday and will be a popular Cinderella pick before the tournament starts.
High seeds want no part of James Madison in their bracket on Selection Sunday.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 12, 2024
The Dukes have 31 wins, beat Michigan State in East Lansing, and just ripped through their conference tournament like a chainsaw through butter.
CHAMPIONS OF THE SUN BELT!
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