Males’s Hoops Tabbed Sun Belt Favorites, Douglas Named First Team All-Conference

NEW ORLEANS – James Madison males’s basketball was voted the favourite within the Preseason Sun Belt Coaches Poll, whereas guard Bradley Douglas was chosen First Team All-Conference, the league introduced on Monday afternoon.

Coming off a share of the 2024-25 regular-season Sun Belt title, JMU picked up a complete of 175 factors with one first-place vote to sit down atop the ballot, its second time in 4 years within the Sun Belt being chosen because the preseason favourite. Including the Dukes, seven different groups acquired first-place votes, with South Alabama selecting up probably the most at 4.

Douglas, a fifth-year guard who transferred to JMU following a season at Georgia Southern, brings expertise and management to the Dukes after showing in 33 video games and averaging 12.6 factors per contest for the Eagles final season. The Eustis, Fla., native additionally produced 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per recreation for GS whereas main the group with 150 subject objectives. He had 22 video games with 10-plus factors, six 20-point video games, and a pair of 30-point performances.

JMU enters the 2025-26 season with 13 newcomers – 11 transfers and two freshmen – and two returning gamers to its roster in Eddie Ricks III and Justin Taylor. Ricks III averaged 6.7 factors and 4.7 rebounds per recreation as a sophomore in 2024-25 in his first season as a Duke, whereas Taylor performed in 27 video games and began 5.

The Dukes open their 2025-26 season on the highway in opposition to Akron on Monday, Nov. 3, earlier than internet hosting Washington and Lee on Nov. 5 within the house opener contained in the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

Fans can be a part of the Duke Club at the moment – along with supporting JMU student-athletes, a Duke Club membership supplies quite a few advantages, together with entry to unique occasions, recreation day experiences (i.e. recreation day parking and entry), informational updates, and a ten % low cost on the JMU Bookstore. For extra data on the best way to be a part of, go to JMUDukeClub.com or name (540) 568-6461.

Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 basketball season are on sale now. Two mini-plan choices are additionally obtainable and will be bought at JMUTickets.com or by calling 540-568-3853.

 

2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Awards

Preseason Player of the Year:

Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [R-Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]

 

Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team

Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [R-Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]

Thomas Dowd, Troy [Jr. | F | Dothan, Ala.]

Tyren Moore, Georgia Southern [Gr. | G | Louisville, Ky.]

Jalen Speer, Marshall [Gr. | G | Gainesville, Fla.]

Bradley Douglas, James Madison [Gr. | G | Eustis, Fla.]

 

Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team

Eren Banks, App State [Jr. | G | Eatonton, Ga.]

Mark Drone, Texas State [Sr. | G | Jackson, Miss.]

Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State [R-So. | G | Marietta, Ga.]

Chandler Jackson, Arkansas State [Jr. | G | Memphis, Tenn.]

RaSheed Jones, Coastal Carolina [Jr. | G | Marion, Ind.]

 

Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team

Jordan Battle, Old Dominion [Sr. | G | Norfolk, Va.]

John Broom, South Alabama [R-So. | G | Jacksonville, Ala.]

Kaden Gumbs, Texas State [Jr. | G | San Marcos, Texas]

Matt Van Komen, Marshall [Gr. | C | Lehi, Utah]

Nakavieon White, Georgia Southern [R-Sr. | F | Odessa, Texas]

 

2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

 1. James Madison (1) – 175

2. Arkansas State (3) – 154

3. South Alabama (4) – 152

4. Troy (1) – 148

5. Old Dominion (2) – 145

6. Marshall (1) – 128

7. App State (1) – 123

8. Texas State – 106

9. Louisiana (1) – 95

10. Georgia Southern – 66

11. Georgia State – 59

12. Southern Miss – 57

13. Coastal Carolina – 43

14. ULM – 19

Parentheses point out first-place votes