The biggest problem for this team has been point guard play.  The Dukes almost won half of their games last year and did compete with just about anyone they played including some big upsets (or near) but they might have won four or five more with consistent point guard play.  Some people think the hardest part of moving up the ranks of college basketball is finding big men who can compete down low but most of these teams that are moving up are finding that the quick and athletic point guards of the better teams and the ability to run a team are the hardest things to keep up with the Joneses.  The Colonial is a perfect example of this as the top two teams, VCU and ODU, had stellar point guard play that set them apart.  Don’t get me wrong those two teams had good big guys and wings as well but their two leaders were heads and shoulders above the rest of the CAA.  Of course even these two teams could not compete with the point guards of the ACC who had backups on most rosters who would have dominated the CAA.  JMU did show that Campanelli’s coaching and style could get them in the running with the elite but now they just have to get a few more high caliber athletes and at least one point guard who can run the show. 

Leading the way for the Dukes is consistent inside performer Steve “American Pie” Stiepler.  Campanelli had recruited this kid as a Division two type player but he showed he could hang with the big boys.  Stiepler is not afraid to throw one down and we do not mean a dunk shot as he is the leader of the partiers on this team and probably the most well-known ‘fun guy’ on campus.  His parties are so famous that his Mom is ‘well known’ around campus at the ‘den’ mother to all of the Stiepler’s friends.  Stiepler is also a world class prankster who is known to ruffle the feathers of a few of his teammates with his shenanigans.  But when he is on the court he is all about the game.  Steipler is a solid all-around player who can take over games in the paint.  He has size at 6’8 220 and is also is athletic enough to get out and run, something that the Dukes love to do.  His strength is his inside game and this Maryland kid (north Linthicum) can score and board with the big boys.  Stiepler will counted on to deliver in his junior season more than just laughs but will he be the breakout star this program needs to get some recognition (and box office) is the wildly competitive sports region of northwest Virginia.  Heck with Norfolk State joining the MEAC this year there are now 13 D-1 programs in this state alone so to fill up the 6426 seats in the Convocation Center needs some star power. 

Campanelli has the benefit of some players who could put the ball in the hoop.  Foremost of these is junior Sherman Dillard can get to the hoop and has a motor that does not quit.  He is the main man coming into this year and looks to be the main offensive weapon on the perimeter.  To his credit he has taken on this responsibility and was elected the team captain unanimously.  This 6’4 193 pound wing from up the road in Bassett is athletic but is also a student of the game. He has two years left in Harrisonburg and if he can get a little more consistent from behind the arc he could have a shot at the next level.  Right now he is okay being a huge part of the Dukes program moving its way up as fast as it can to hang with the Big Dogs of the CAA.  And the greater DC area! 

Sophomore Linton Townes is probably the most dynamic Duke.  Townes played out of position at times (yes he played some pg) but responded with an energy that ignited his teammates.  A gifted scorer, Townes worked on other parts of his game to improve the team.  This 6’7 190 pounder from Richmond has taken Harrsonburg by storm and is already the most popular JMU player.  The Electric Zoo has embraced not only Townes’s play but his personality as well.  Townes is a terrific wing defender as well who comes to play every night and though he might not have super talent, he has enough to hang with just about anyone in this conference.  Definitely the leader of the team, Townes has three years left to achieve his goal of getting this team to the Big Dance.   Fellow sophomores Tyrone Shoulders, John NewmaN, Steve Blackmon and Kennard Winchester did not play much on the varsity but are all in the mix for playing time this year.  This quartet compete heavy last year with mixed results as the first three are more suited for role player status but the latter has a real shot of becoming something special.  Winchester is a 6’5 210 pounder from Centreville Maryland who has the athleticism to be a real contributor.  He has much to learn but you can’t teach hops and this kid can jump out of the gym.  Still, he is nowhere near Townes in talent or basketball savvy but he has a chance.   

Sophomore Dan Ruland brought a bit of a presence in the post for the Dukes when he got here from up the road in Annapolis.  Ruland has the size (girth) and demeanor if not the skill for the back to the basket game.  At 6’8 240 Ruland has no problem throwing his weight around though contrary to popular belief he is not related to that other large boned Ruland from up the road in New York. Probably the weakest part of the Dukes game (besides the point) was the ability to defend other teams inside and to rebound.  Ruland was the best and most consistent option but he was still overmatched by some of the more athletic big men in this conference. He does not run well but his screens for the three point shooters are like running into a sliding glass door when you have had a few too many beverages.  His matchup with his namesake from Iona might be the biggest battle of the ‘beef’ anyone has ever seen outside of a Wisconsin steakhouse. The Dukes are in good hands down low as long as this kid stays in town.  He is pure and simple a winner.  Campanelli also has a nifty group of upperclassmen who are carryovers up front and who once contributed significantly to this team’s success or lack thereof.   Juniors Gary Butler, David Correll, Joe Frye and Pat Dosh are nowhere near the talent (or size) of a Ruland and to be honest are much more suited for the lower divisions.  None of these kids are big enough or athletic enough for the CAA but they are tough and they have been the building blocks for this Duke program.  Campanelli will continue to use them if his new recruits are not ready but as many as he has coming in somebody definitely could knock these guys down to the deep end of the bench. 

Campanelli had a large group of kids off the bench who got their shots.  Most of these new kids were trying to find a true point guard with limited success.  Junior George Tolliver got the first shot but he is way more scorer than passer and though he was huge when they were in Division Two he turned into more of a referee on the floor as these kids were fighting for playing time.  Sophomore Charles Fisher was consistent all year coming in for minutes but his game is defense.  He does not pass or score much but man can he shut down other players.  Derek Steele, Robert Griffin and Eric Brent were other sophomores that got a shot to shine but were not quite up to snuff.  Steele is only 5’9, Griffin is not a great QB and Brent is more of a two guard so the search went on. Campanelli tried a slew of juniors as well including Roger Hughett and Joe Phahler.  Phahler got the most minutes not necessarily because he was better but for continuity as the others battled it out on the JV.  This position will be fluid again this year unless of course Campanelli can bring in a gamer.  The Dukes are building the right way but finding a true point will be the only way this team can get to the upper level of the CAA and beyond. 

The James Madison Dukes relied on an offense that was up and down the court.  Not gifted with many true (and true we mean big) inside players, the Dukes still put together a solid team and competed very well with not only the elite of their conference but against some good competition outside the conference. Led by a chorus of players who like to score from the wing, the Dukes under Coach Lou Campanelli had a very successful season in the Colonial conference.  The Dukes played great defense either with a man or a great two three as Campanelli had Harrisonburg and their ‘Electric Zoo’ harassing other teams every time they came into the Convocation Center.  Not as good on the road and losing some games they should have won left the Dukes not quite getting to 500 overall but there is great hope in Harrisonburg as this team is moving in the right direction.