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Bracketology 2024: 5 mid-major teams off to a fast start in 2023-24 season

By Jason Burgess

Nov 6, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) walks back to the bench and the James Madison Dukes bench erupts as the final buzzer sounds at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) walks back to the bench and the James Madison Dukes bench erupts as the final buzzer sounds at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Madison’s Terrence Edwards, Jr. celebrates after teammate Raekwon Horton
James Madison’s Terrence Edwards, Jr. celebrates after teammate Raekwon Horton /

James Madison Dukes 4-0 (Currently competing in the Cancun Challenge)

Let’s begin with the team that began their season with the biggest upset of the year so far. The James Madison Dukes started off their year with an overtime win against then No. 4 Michigan State in East Lansing. Everyone came out of that game talking about how poorly the Spartans shot, especially from three, but neither team shot it particularly well but the Dukes outrebounding Michigan State was a big key. That win catapulted them into the top 25 for the first time in school history.

They have since followed up that win with another overtime win, this one against Kent State, and then back-to-back regulation wins to reach the Cancun Challenge 4-0. They began their trip in Cancun with a win over Southern Illinois, leaving them with a match-up against Fresno State in the semifinals. Mark Byington’s squad has been led by its quartet of seniors. Terrence Edwards has been a stud thus far averaging 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, including 24 in the win over Michigan State.

The forward duo of T.J. Bickerstaff and Julien Wooden have been dominant as well combining for 28 points and 11 rebounds. Michael Green III has been solid at the point as well with a 4.2 to 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio. While Edwards has been the main offensive cog, the seniors have been taking turns leading in statistical categories.

The Dukes have a handful of Division I games left before conference play and there is a good chance that the Dukes enter Sun Belt play unblemished.

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