Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin

Basketball season is back! 

For JMU women’s basketball the goal is similar to just about every season: contend for a league championship and play in the postseason. Can Sean O’Regan’s team, which looks different than a season ago, deliver two NCAA Tournament appearances in a row?

2022-23 review

Kiki Jefferson and Peyton McDaniel led the Dukes to the Sun Belt regular-season title and a conference championship. The Dukes dominated Texas State in the Sun Belt Championship game, as they punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. 

The Dukes gave Ohio State all they could handle in the first round before running out of gas and losing in the first-round matchup. Still, a league title and a 26-8 record (13-5 SBC) is nothing to scoff at in arguably the best season yet for head coach Sean O’Regan. 

2023-24 expectations

The expectation is to contend for the league championship, even with Jefferson transferring to Louisville. While the team’s star is gone, McDaniel and post presence Kseniia Kozlova both return. Jamia Hazell also returns, giving JMU a super athletic guard with scoring and passing prowess. 

The Dukes added a few key players in the transfer portal, which should keep them in the mix to win the league once again. JMU was picked to win the Sun Belt in the preseason. 

Replacing point guard Caroline Germond will be an underrated challenge.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Christopher William Jewelers for their advertising support this season.

Roster breakdown

• Peyton McDaniel, G – A possible Sun Belt Player of the Year candidate, McDaniel is arguably the team’s best player. She’s a lethal scorer and averaged double-digit scoring in each of her first two seasons with the Dukes. She made 75 shots from 3-point range last season, 31 more than anyone else on JMU’s 2022-23 team.

• Olivia Mullins, G – A St. Joe’s transfer, Mullins is the likely starting point guard. She’s a veteran player who should be a major offseason addition. She had more assists (92) than turnovers (75) last season. None of JMU’s returning guards accomplished that feat last year.

• Chloe Sterling, G – A sophomore, Sterling should work into the backup point guard role. She’s shifty and has good potential. 

• Hevynne Bristow, G – An Ohio State transfer, it’s unclear if Bristow will be granted a waiver to play this year. If she does, Bristow might be the most dynamic player on the team. She’s an elite athlete who can score, pass, and defend.

• Amira Williams, G – An athletic defender and transfer from the College of Charleston, Williams played sparingly last season. She could have a role off the bench. 

• Carole Miller, G – I’m really high on the addition of Miller, a graduate transfer from UVA. Miller isn’t going to be the team’s best player, but she’s an all-around solid player. She figures to crack the rotation, having started 67 games for UVA over four seasons. Her experience is an asset.

• Jada Mills, G – A freshman guard, Mills likely won’t see a ton of time this year with the Dukes being loaded in the backcourt. 

• Jamia Hazell, G – Hazell should play a major role for the Dukes, as she might be the best player on the roster at creating her own shot. She averaged 8.4 points per game last season.

• Atiana Williams, G – Williams joins the Dukes as a walk-on. Her dad, Chris, played basketball at JMU in the early 2000s.

• Ashanti Barnes, F – A JUCO transfer who started her career at Old Dominion, Barnes figures to work into the rotation. Rebounding and defense are likely her primary means of contributing.

• Anna Goodman, F – Goodman has been around the program a few years, and she’s expected to take a step forward this season. She’s one of the most underrated possible contributors on the roster. 

• Mikaya Tynes, F – Tynes is a good player, although she’s going to have to battle to find playing time at forward. 

• Steph Ouderkirk, F – Ouderkirk is a good player for JMU. She has a nice jump shot and is a solid role player. 

• Kseniia Kozlova, C – Kozlova was phenomenal last season, averaging 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She shot 57.1% from the field. 

As for a possible starting five. I’d roll out something like this:

• Olivia Mullins
• Hevynne Bristow
• Peyton McDaniel
• Carole Miller
• Kseniia Koslova 

I think Mullins, Bristow, McDaniel, and Kozlova are locks to start if they’re all healthy and eligible. The fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs, as the Dukes could opt to go with big or small lineups. Hazell and Goodman are going to play a lot of minutes, whether they start or come off the bench. 

If Bristow can’t play, O’Regan will need to be creative with his starting lineup and might play two forwards most of the time.

Schedule

JMU’s schedule isn’t too shabby. In addition to league play, the Dukes play VCU, Liberty, Michigan State, Wake Forest, and Maryland, among others. 

The Dukes will be tested throughout nonconference play, facing both Power Conference competition and respectable mid-major teams. They should be experienced playing against quality teams by the time Sun Belt play begins. 

Fans should be excited about this schedule, which includes a game against a MAC team on Feb. 10, with the exact opponent yet to be announced. 

My season prediction

I have JMU going 22-9 in its 31-game regular-season schedule. This number could increase dramatically if Hevynne Bristow receives a waiver from the NCAA to play this season. 

With or without Bristow, JMU should have a strong season. I think the Dukes will finish in the top three of the Sun Belt regular season standings and make the league tournament championship game. 

If Bristow is eligible, I’ll take the Dukes to make the NCAA Tournament. Without her, I’ll take JMU to lose in the Sun Belt title game this season as the No. 2 seed.