Miami Ohio at James Madison

Miami finished 32-2 last season and went 18-0 in the MAC. The RedHawks have not lost a road game since March 1, 2025. They open this season at James Madison without Peter Suder, who graduated and signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. Brant Byers and Eian Elmer, who transferred to Penn State and Wisconsin, are also gone. Those three were among the most impactful players on last year's team. Their replacements are newcomers such as Stevie Elam from Milwaukee, plus transfers Rich Rolf and Preston Copeland. Evan Ipsaro returns at guard after a season-ending injury midway through last year. James Madison was picked second in the Sun Belt preseason coaches poll and drew nine first-place votes, the most in the league. Preston Spradlin begins his third season with the Dukes. Gage Lattimore and Preston Fowler were both named preseason All-Sun Belt second team. The Dukes added 13 new players, and a year ago they lost their opener at Akron 85-71. A road streak built with Suder, Byers and Elmer is the one Miami carries into Harrisonburg, so I make James Madison the right side on the spread tonight.