TOWSON, Md. - James Madison (9-9 overall, 3-2 CAA) has been a difficult team to play over the years because they usually offer a physical frontcourt and a talented array of guards. Injuries tend to slow their progress, but the Dukes have a chance to be a sleeper in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

The Dukes have beaten the Tigers four straight times and have a 26-10 record overall record. Last year, the Dukes won both games, 65-59 at the Towson Center and 58-56 from Harrisonburg.

James Madison visits the Towson Center for the final time on Saturday at 12 p.m. to meet Towson (9-9, 4-1 CAA).

JMU opened up non-conference play losing three of four at the Progressive Legends Classic at Duquesne with losses to UCLA (100-70), Duquesne (90-88 in overtime) and North Dakota State (66-44), while they defeated Youngstown State, 69-68.

Since the Progressive Legends Classic, the Dukes had non-conference wins over Winthrop, East Tennessee State, UNC Greensboro, San Jose State and San Diego. The other non-conference losses came at Miami-Ohio and at Hampton, while they fell at home to George Washington and Richmond (in overtime).

When CAA play opened, the Dukes were victorious over Old Dominion in Norfolk on Jan. 2, 58-55. After a 68-52 loss at Georgia State, JMU defeated UNCW at home, 78-50 and Drexel, 51-43. On Tuesday, the Dukes fell at George Mason, 68-57.

James Madison averages 66.1points per game and allows 66.4. They shoot 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc, while they allow teams to shoot 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc. The Dukes have been outrebounded by an average of 2.9 per game.

The Dukes have a very deep team squad, one that can survive a rash of injuries. Senior Andrey Semenov (10 p.p.g.) has played in just seven games this year due to ankle and groin injuries. He's not likely to play after missing the last five games, which isn't bad thing for the Tigers since he put up 29 points last season in two games against Towson.

Freshman guard Andre Nation (8.6 p.p.g.) is also questionable due to a shoulder injury. He's a 6-4, 190-pound guard who played 16 minutes against George Mason after missing the Drexel game. He shoots 39 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc (16-of-33).

The Dukes are led by one of the best guards in the league in redshirt senior Devon Moore (6-4, 180), who averages 10.4 points and leads the CAA in assists with 4.6 per game. He shoots 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Freshman guard Ron Curry (6-3, 185) adds 7.5 points a game, while senior wing Alioune Diouf (6-5, 215) adds toughness, experience and defense at the wing. 

Up front, the Dukes are led by another quality freshman in Taylor Bessick (6-9, 215). Bessick produced nine points and 11 rebounds in his first start against Drexel. He averages 11.3ppg and shoots 46 percent from the field and 90 percent from the line.

Redshirt senior Rashawn Goins (6-6, 275) returns from missing last year with an injury. He averages 14.9 points to lead the team and also boasts a team-leading 7.6 rebounds per game. Goins shoots 47 pecent from the field and has made 9-of-18 three-pointers.

Even with the injuries (assuming Nation comes off the bench), the Dukes have a very strong bench led by redshirt senior A.J. Davis (6-6, 210), who averages 8.5 points in 20 minutes per game, while shooting 40% from the field. Freshman guard Charles Cooke (6-6, 185) adds 4.9 points and sophomore Enoch Hood (6-8, 210) adds 3.1points.