James Madison will take an eight-game winning streak and a one-game lead in the CAA standings to Richmond for tonight's CAA Game of the Week against VCU.
Thursday's games
James Madison (17-6, 10-1 CAA) at Virginia Commonwealth (13-8, 8-3 CAA), 7 p.m.
Significant game for both teams but especially for the Rams. A victory gets them back in the regular-season title chase; loss could bring Delaware back into play for that 4th seed and first-round bye in the conference tournament. JMU dominated the final 12 minutes of the first half and made that stand up for a 69-59 victory over VCU when these teams met last month in Harrisonburg. The Dukes prevailed despite a 4-of-18 shooting night from Dawn Evans. She'll almost certainly be better than that tonight. The Rams will need a much better effort as well, but at home, they've typically gotten one. VCU 67, JMU 64
Northeastern (8-14, 3-8 CAA) at Old Dominion (15-7, 9-2 CAA), 5:30 p.m.
The Huskies prevailed 100-94 in triple-overtime when these teams last met in January, 2010. But thanks to graduation, transfers and dismissals, this Northeastern team barely resembles the one last year, or even last month. If the Lady Monarchs are focused and take this one seriously - and coming off Sunday's loss at JMU, we can't imagine they won't be - ODU should be able to pull away from the depleted Huskies. At least the snow should make them feel at home. ODU 68, Northeastern 48
Thursday's games
James Madison (17-6, 10-1 CAA) at Virginia Commonwealth (13-8, 8-3 CAA), 7 p.m.
Significant game for both teams but especially for the Rams. A victory gets them back in the regular-season title chase; loss could bring Delaware back into play for that 4th seed and first-round bye in the conference tournament. JMU dominated the final 12 minutes of the first half and made that stand up for a 69-59 victory over VCU when these teams met last month in Harrisonburg. The Dukes prevailed despite a 4-of-18 shooting night from Dawn Evans. She'll almost certainly be better than that tonight. The Rams will need a much better effort as well, but at home, they've typically gotten one. VCU 67, JMU 64
Northeastern (8-14, 3-8 CAA) at Old Dominion (15-7, 9-2 CAA), 5:30 p.m.
The Huskies prevailed 100-94 in triple-overtime when these teams last met in January, 2010. But thanks to graduation, transfers and dismissals, this Northeastern team barely resembles the one last year, or even last month. If the Lady Monarchs are focused and take this one seriously - and coming off Sunday's loss at JMU, we can't imagine they won't be - ODU should be able to pull away from the depleted Huskies. At least the snow should make them feel at home. ODU 68, Northeastern 48
Virginia (13-12, 2-7 ACC) at North Carolina State (10-13, 1-7 ACC), 7 p.m.
A year ago, these two teams met in the ACC tournament quarterfinals on their way to the NCAA tournament. Ah, the good ol' days.... This year, the Cavaliers are about where they were predicted to be while the Wolfpack have underperformed in their second year under coach Kellie Harper. Virginia hasn't had a lot of success recently in Raleigh, but this UVa. team has continued to battle and has a good opportunity for a road win if it can perform with the same energy they displayed Monday against Florida State. Virginia 72, N.C. State 70
A year ago, these two teams met in the ACC tournament quarterfinals on their way to the NCAA tournament. Ah, the good ol' days.... This year, the Cavaliers are about where they were predicted to be while the Wolfpack have underperformed in their second year under coach Kellie Harper. Virginia hasn't had a lot of success recently in Raleigh, but this UVa. team has continued to battle and has a good opportunity for a road win if it can perform with the same energy they displayed Monday against Florida State. Virginia 72, N.C. State 70
Longwood (6-16) at Virginia Tech (9-14), 7 p.m.
After weeks of getting thumped by ACC teams, the Hokies should be able to do some real business against a team that can't pose anywhere near the problems Tech's recent foes have posed. A victory would be the Hokies' first in 2011. As for the Lancers, their goal is to avoid being overwhelmed early the way they were the last time they faced an ACC team - two weeks ago they fell behind 15-0 and never recovered in an 84-38 loss at Maryland. Virginia Tech 78, Longwood 68
After weeks of getting thumped by ACC teams, the Hokies should be able to do some real business against a team that can't pose anywhere near the problems Tech's recent foes have posed. A victory would be the Hokies' first in 2011. As for the Lancers, their goal is to avoid being overwhelmed early the way they were the last time they faced an ACC team - two weeks ago they fell behind 15-0 and never recovered in an 84-38 loss at Maryland. Virginia Tech 78, Longwood 68
George Mason (11-11, 5-6 CAA) at Georgia State (8-14, 3-8 CAA), 7 p.m.
The Patriots crushed the Panthers 71-47 when these teams met in Fairfax last month. Like most teams, Mason plays much better at home, and Georgia State is coming off Sunday's surprising home win over UNC Wilmington. It will be a test of the Patriots' maturity to see if they can go on the road and win a game they're supposed to win. George Mason 56, Georgia State 52
The Patriots crushed the Panthers 71-47 when these teams met in Fairfax last month. Like most teams, Mason plays much better at home, and Georgia State is coming off Sunday's surprising home win over UNC Wilmington. It will be a test of the Patriots' maturity to see if they can go on the road and win a game they're supposed to win. George Mason 56, Georgia State 52
UNC Wilmington (17-5, 9-2 CAA) at William and Mary (2-19, 1-10 CAA), 7 p.m.
The Seahawks crushed the Tribe 82-59 in Wilmington last month and should be eager to get back on track after Sunday's upset loss at Georgia State. The Tribe are 1-2 in their last 3 games at Kaplan Arena, with one of the losses coming by one point against Drexel when the Dragons' Kamile Nacickaite splashed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. UNCW 77, William and Mary 67
The Seahawks crushed the Tribe 82-59 in Wilmington last month and should be eager to get back on track after Sunday's upset loss at Georgia State. The Tribe are 1-2 in their last 3 games at Kaplan Arena, with one of the losses coming by one point against Drexel when the Dragons' Kamile Nacickaite splashed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. UNCW 77, William and Mary 67
UVa 72, NCSU 70? My pick? NC State winning 71-61.
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