key basketball dates
Dan Ruland (40) and JMU defeated Ohio State in 1982 NCAA Tournament play at the Charlotte Coliseum.
May 10, 1985
John Thurston, a 10-year JMU assistant under Lou Campanelli, became JMU’s coach. Campanelli became the coach at California.
June 6, 1985
The eight members of the ECAC South formed the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
March 14, 1987
JMU lost 70-63 at Stephen F. Austin in its first National Invitation Tournament game. JMU was 20-10 after being 5-23 in 1985-86 and was the most-improved team in the nation.
April 6, 1988
Charles “Lefty” Driesell became JMU’s coach, succeeding Tom McCorry, who coached 11 games after John Thurston resigned Jan. 29.
March 15, 1990
JMU lost 78-74 to New Orleans in the first round of the NIT in the first men’s post-season contest (nonconference) at the JMU Convocation Center.
March 13, 1991
JMU lost 98-93 in double overtime at Providence in the first round of the NIT in a nationally televised (ESPN) game.
March 20, 1992
JMU made its third straight NIT appearance, losing 73-69 at Rutgers.
Clayton Ritter was the top performer on JMU’s 1994 NCAA Tournament team.
March 18, 1993
JMU played in the NIT for the fourth straight year, losing 73-61 at Providence.
2012-13 JMU Basketball - 91
Steve Stielper had team records of 2,126 points and 917 rebounds in four JMU seasons.
March 5-7, 1994
JMU won its first CAA Tournament, beating American 86-67, UNC Wilmington 91-78 and Old Dominion 77-76.
March 17, 1994
Final Four participant Florida beat JMU 64-62 in the NCAA East Regional’s first round in Uniondale, N.Y.
March 20, 1997
Sherman Dillard, an All-America player and an academic All-American at JMU, was named the program’s head coach, becoming the first former JMU player to lead the Dukes.
April 1, 2004
Dean Keener became JMU’s coach, replacing Sherman Dillard, who resigned March 7. Keener was introduced at an April 7 press conference.
March 25,2008
Matt Brady became JMU’s coach, replacing Dean Keener, who resigned Feb. 22, effective at the end of the season. Brady was introduced at March 26 press conference.
2008-09
JMU reached the semifinals of the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Tournament and compiled a 2115 record during Coach Matt Brady’s first season with the Dukes.