Schools
Tourney Run Continues for Former McEachern Player
Alloune Diouf helped his James Madison team advance in the NCAA Tournament Wednesday. But the Dukes will have to work hard to advance out of the field of 64 as a top-seeded team awaits them.
James Madison University has some tough odds to overcome if it hopes to put its first NCAA tourney run in nearly two decade in the history books. And if the team can overcome those odds, it could have one of Powder Springs’ own to thank.
The Dukes won one of the tournament’s play-in games on Wednesday, grounding the Long Island Blackbirds 68-55. Helping JMU advance to the tournament’s field of 64 was Alloune Diouf, a former player from McEachern High.
Diouf put 8 points on the board in Wednesday’s game, going 3-for-3 in field goals and 2-for-3 in free throws in 21 minutes of action, according to the Rivals.com box score.
Find out what's happening in West Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Wednesday’s win put the Dukes on basketball fans’ tournament brackets as a 16-seed, which means getting any closer to the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship will take getting past a 1-seed—the Indiana Hoosiers. Doing so would put JMU in the history books as no 16-seed has defeated a 1-seed since the tournament grew to 64 or more teams.
Diouf and JMU face a Hoosiers squad that can field “five offensive weapons in most rotations,” The Sporting News reports. The website’s review of the matchup doesn’t give the Dukes much of a chance, saying JMU “will be no match for the most talented team in the field.”
Find out what's happening in West Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
But who’s to say history can’t be made?
Look for Diouf and the Dukes to hit the hardwood against the Hoosiers Friday, with tipoff set for 4:10 p.m. EDT.
Will you be watching McEachern’s own Alloune Diouf on Friday? If so, where do you expect to watch the game? Tell us in the comments!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.