Duke takes on the Buckeyes

Buckeyes take on Dukes in 2K Sports Classic

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The 2K Sports Classic continues in Columbus this evening, as the 16th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the James Madison Dukes at Value City Arena.

This will be the season-opener for the Dukes, who are coming off an impressive 21-win campaign, marking the most wins in one season for a JMU squad since the 1992-93 season. With four starters back in the mix, coach Matt Brady will be looking for similar results in his second season at the helm.

As for the Buckeyes, they opened their new campaign on Monday with a convincing, 100-60 decision over Alcorn State. It was the fifth straight season-opening victory for Ohio State under the tutelage of coach Thad Matta. Ohio State posted 22 wins a year ago, but the season ended in heartbreaking fashion, as the Buckeyes were bounced from the NCAA Tournament in the first round with a double-overtime loss to Siena.

With respect to the all-time series between the two schools, the Dukes hold a 1-0 edge over Ohio State. The victory came in the first round of the NCAA Tournament back in 1982, as JMU defeated the Buckeyes, 55-48.

There was plenty to be happy about heading into the season for JMU, as the team was expected to return four starters to the mix. The best of the bunch being sophomore Julius Wells, who was tabbed CAA Rookie of the Year after averaging 11.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg last year. Wells stands at 6-5 and should be even tougher this season with a year of experience under his belt. Fellow sophomore Andrey Semenov, who played sparingly last season will likely join Wells in the paint, while senior Dazzmond Thornton will serve as the veteran of the frontcourt. Semenov posted 8.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg in a reserve role, and Thornton progressed as last year moved along, and could be primed for an even bigger improvement this season. All is not rosy however with JMU's personnel, as talented guard Devon Moore (10.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg as a freshman), will miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury. Senior Pierre Curtis, who led the team with 99 assists a year ago, will need to step up in Moore's absence as a scorer, after posting 9.3 ppg a year ago.

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The Buckeyes opened their new campaign in grand fashion, as the team dominated Alcorn State, 100-60. Ohio State shot 53.4 percent from the field and connected on an impressive 14-of-33 attempts from behind the arc. Jon Diebler, who shot 41.6 percent from behind the arc last season and averaged 11.2 ppg, led the way in the win over Alcorn State with 22 points and continued his sharp shooting, knocking down 6-of-9 three-point attempts. William Buford added 19 points, but the best player on the floor was Evan Turner, who collected a triple-double with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. This looks like Turner's team once again, as the guard led the squad last season with 17.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 131 assists and 58 steals. As for Buford, he posted 11.3 ppg a season ago, and when teamed with Turner and Diebler this is clearly one of the best guard trios in the nation. Expect all three players to once again play a vital role in the team's success this evening and throughout the season.