JMU men’s basketball’s 2024-25 schedule is here, and it’s … fine.

The Dukes’ nonconference schedule features a few interesting mid-major opponents (Ohio and George Mason come to mind), one Power Conference foe (Wake Forest), and a bunch of other games that probably only excite basketball sickos. That’s not unusual for a JMU men’s basketball schedule these days – it’s hard to schedule quality opponents when you’re playing in mid/low-major league – but it’ll still be viewed as a bummer for some JMU fans.

Still, the schedule shouldn’t stop the excitement for the 2024-25 season. JMU’s roster is among the best in the Sun Belt, with a loaded group of transfers coming to Harrisonburg. The Dukes should be a top-100 caliber team again in 2024-25, fresh off a 30+ win season and an NCAA Tournament victory. Given the nonconference schedule, JMU should flirt with 25+ wins again this year.

JMU Men’s Basketball’s 2024-25 Schedule

Here’s a look at JMU’s full 2024-25 slate:

Nov. 4 vs. Ohio
Nov. 9 at Norfolk State
Nov. 12 vs. Mary Baldwin
Nov. 16 at Towson
Nov. 21 vs. UIC (neutral site in Florida)
Nov. 22 vs. La Salle/UC San Diego (neutral site in Florida)
Nov. 23 vs. TBD (neutral site in Florida)
Nov. 29 vs. George Mason
Dec. 3 vs. ETSU
Dec. 7 vs. Utah Valley
Dec. 17 at Wake Forest
Dec. 21 at South Alabama
Dec. 29 vs. Midway
Jan. 2 vs. Southern Miss
Jan. 4 vs. Arkansas State
Jan. 9 at Marshall
Jan. 11 at App State
Jan. 16 vs. Marshall
Jan. 18 vs. App State
Jan. 22 at ODU
Jan. 25 at Georgia State
Jan. 30 vs. Coastal Carolina
Feb. 1 vs. ODU
Feb. 5 vs. Troy
Feb. 8 at TBD MAC opponent
Feb. 13 at Georgia Southern
Feb. 15 at Coastal Carolina
Feb. 20 vs. Georgia State
Feb. 22 vs. Georgia Southern
Feb. 25 at ULM
Feb. 28 at Texas State
Bold = Sun Belt conference game

Nonconference Portion is Average

The schedule isn’t awful, but it’s definitely not great. A home game with George Mason on Nov. 29 is a phenomenal Black Friday matchup that should generate plenty of interest among JMU fans. Even the season opener against Ohio, a capable MAC foe, means fans should be engaged for opening night.

The rest of the home nonconference schedule kind of stinks, though. Of JMU’s six home nonconference games, two of them (33%) come against non-Division I programs in Mary Baldwin and Midway.

JMU men's basketball's home nonconference games:

– Ohio
– Mary Baldwin
– George Mason
– ETSU
– Utah Valley
– Midway

Thoughts?

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 12, 2024

While road games against Norfolk State, Towson, and Wake Forest provide some intrigue and regional relevance, they’re not must-watch games. Playing Wake Forest is a strong test against a Power Conference team, but Wake Forest doesn’t carry the name recognition of UNC or Michigan State, programs the Dukes have played the last two seasons. There’s nothing sexy about JMU’s nonconference schedule.

Decent Schedule for a New Team

Given JMU’s roster turnover – the Dukes have only three scholarship players who began their careers at JMU – the schedule isn’t all bad. There are a few reasonable tests against mid-major teams like Ohio, Towson, George Mason, and ETSU that should help prepare the Dukes for Sun Belt play, and the game with Wake Forest should be a stiff road test against a possible NCAA Tournament ream.

On the flipside, playing a relatively soft schedule that includes two non-Division I teams will allow the new-look roster to build chemistry, cohesion, and confidence prior to conference games. While that might not make for the most entertaining matchups, it could pay off come March.

The Dukes will have plenty of time to work through issues – JMU’s football team is thankful its nonconference schedule isn’t brutal as it tries to find a groove with dozens of transfers – without facing an impossibly tough schedule. With JMU’s roster upheaval, a few easy nonconference games aren’t the end of the world.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Dukes can drastically strengthen their future nonconference matchups with another NCAA Tournament appearance or even an NIT appearance. The lack of matchups with teams like Virginia, Virginia Tech, VCU, and Richmond are disappointing, although it’s not for a lack of trying. Fans want to see JMU against the best teams in the state, but it takes both sides to agree to schedule games.

Watch the Women

If you’re looking for intriguing nonconference basketball matchups, check out JMU’s women’s team. Sean O’Regan’s group, which should contend for the Sun Belt title, plays Notre Dame, Florida, VCU, Texas, Villanova, and NC State in nonconference play. The Texas game on Dec. 8 takes place in Harrisonburg, too.

Both JMU basketball teams should contend for league championships, but the women’s program’s nonconference schedule has some incredible matchups. If you’re looking to see how a JMU program stacks up against elite national competition, check out the women’s basketball team in November and December.

The schedule contrast between the programs is fascinating, as the women will be battle tested prior to conference play, while there could still be some lingering questions about the men’s team. 

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications