James Madison Dukes vs
Toledo RocketsPredictions & Preview

James Madison Dukes Expected to Dominate Toledo Rockets in MAC-SBC Challenge: Preview and Predictions

The Toledo Rockets are set to take on the James Madison Dukes in a college basketball matchup at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday at 2pm. With Toledo being the favored team with a -1 betting line, David Delano offers his prediction for this MAC vs Sun Belt Challenge. Stay tuned for potential sportsbook promo codes related to this game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Dukes -110 | Rockets -110
• Spread: Dukes +1 (-110) | Rockets -1 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 153.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Toledo will win straight-up is 52%.

James Madison vs Toledo Stats

James Madison Dukes

The James Madison Dukes have been on a winning streak, improving to 8-4 in the Sun Belt. Overall, they are rated 143rd by KenPom, with their offense ranked at 122nd and defense at 187th. In non-conference play, they are 7-5. They score an average of 72.8 points per game and allow an average of 68.5 points per game. Shooting-wise, they hit 44.3% overall and 34.4% from 3-point territory.

Mark Freeman leads the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game. They have three other players averaging double figures, with Bryce Lindsay at 12.4 ppg. AJ Smith leads in rebounds with 6.2 per game, and Xavier Brown leads in steals with 1.5 per game. They are ranked 219 in offense, 97 in defense, and have a power ranking of 41. Offensively, they hit 44.31% of their field goals and 34.30% of their three-pointers. Defensively, they allow 43.21% field goals and 33.81% of three-pointers. They average 36.96 rebounds per game, 12.00 offensive assists, and 10.74 defensive assists. They also have 11.43 turnovers per game on offense and 10.30 turnovers per game on defense.

Toledo Rockets Analysis

The Toledo basketball team has been successful in the MAC regular season, winning four consecutive titles, but has not made it to the NCAA Tournament since 1980. The team is currently 8-2 in MAC play and 6-6 in non-conference games, with a strong offense averaging 79.1 points per game. However, their defense struggles, allowing 77.9 points per game. Sonny Wilson leads the team in scoring, while Javan Simmons leads in rebounds and Isaiah Adams in assists. Toledo is currently ranked 207th according to KenPom, with an 86th-place offensive rating. The team is shooting 46.3% overall and 34.4% from three-point range. Toledo will look to continue their winning streak in MAC play and improve their performance against Division I teams in the non-conference games.

James Madison's Defense Set to Dominate Toledo in MAC-SBC Challenge Round Two

The upcoming matchup between James Madison and Toledo is a notable feature of Round Two in the MAC-SBC Challenge. In the first round held in November, James Madison secured a convincing victory over Ohio with a score of 88-78, while Toledo faced a defeat against Troy with a score of 84-74. Throughout the season, the Sun Belt conference has demonstrated its dominance by winning 8 out of 12 games against MAC teams in the initial challenge.

Of particular concern for Toledo has been their defensive performance, which has been underwhelming this season. The Rockets have consistently allowed over 82 points in four of their last five games, highlighting a persistent weakness. In contrast, James Madison has exhibited strong defensive capabilities by holding six of their last seven opponents to under 65 points.

Additionally, when considering three-point shooting statistics, James Madison ranks significantly higher at 97th compared to Toledo's ranking at 329th. With their superior defense and superior shooting ability, James Madison appears well-positioned to cover the spread in this matchup.

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