With the return of seven key players and a talented group of newcomers ready to contribute immediately, James Madison was picked to finish fourth in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association in a vote of coaches, sports information directors, and media representatives as announced at the league’s annual media day on Tuesday at Champps Restaurant.
JMU’s position in the poll marked the first time in league history that a team has been picked at least seven spots ahead of its previous finish. The Dukes are coming off a 13-20 season a year ago in which they finished 11th in the league at 4-14.