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.
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.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
Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookHigh 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!
