Locker Room Access - JMU

By Houston Wilson

Georgia Southern transfer Tyson Brown has drawn interest from James Madison University. The 6-foot-9 forward from Virginia Beach averaged 7.3 points and 6.8 rebounds this past season and is hearing from several programs as he looks for the right fit to spend his final year of college basketball.

Georgia Southern senior Tyson Brown has entered the transfer portal.

The 6’9” forward started 29/33 games for the Eagles, averaging 7.3 points on 63% FG, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game. pic.twitter.com/MscUHATjvA

— PortalUpdates (@portal_updates) April 11, 2025

“It has been pretty wild and chaotic. Everything has just been coming together so fast. It is truly a blessing to be hearing all of these different things from so many different schools. I am grateful to be in the position I am in for next year. I have been hearing from JMU, Nevada, UNC Charlotte, Delaware, Mercer, East Carolina, George Mason, and La Salle.”

When it comes to James Madison, Brown said the Dukes are making a clear pitch.

“They’re really emphasizing the chance to come back and play close to home,” he said. “They know I’ve already had success in the Sun Belt, and they want me to be a key piece for them. Playing closer to home would give my family more chances to come see me, and they’ve got a strong plan for how I’d fit. That’s exciting to hear.”

Brown sees similarities between himself and former JMU big man Elijah Hutchins-Everett, and sees a path to make a similar impact.

“I think I would be able to fit in their program really well, honestly. Obviously, being a Virginia guy, I think it would be a good fit. They did a great job with Elijah Hutchins-Everett, and I think I could do a lot of the same type of stuff that he did.”

While the idea of returning home holds appeal, Brown said it's not the deciding factor.

 “It would be awesome being able to play close to home, but It is not that important of a factor. I have been far from home my entire career. I just want to go to a place where I can continue to produce like I did this past year, and a program that has a good chance of winning a lot of games.”

For Brown, JMU’s potential is undeniable.

“Definitely their history of winning really stands out. They have a good track record of winning, and that goes back to before the current staff. This current staff knows what it takes to win though, because they were great at Morehead State. This past year, they were a game away from winning the Sun Belt outright, and that is hard to do. I want to go somewhere that can get in the NCAA Tournament in March, and JMU definitely is a program that can do that.”

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(Featured Image Credit: Georgia Southern)

By Houston Wilson

Mount St. Mary’s transfer Carmelo Pacheco wrapped up a two-day visit to James Madison University on Sunday and Monday. The Harrisonburg native is coming off a strong sophomore season, averaging 9.5 points per game. The 6-foot-5 guard caught up with Locker Room Access to discuss his time on campus, how he might fit in with the Dukes, and the latest in his recruitment.

Harrisonburg native Carmelo Pacheco, a 6-5 guard who averaged 9.5 points per game for Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball, will visit JMU on April 14.

He’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the portal, making 46.4% of his shots from beyond the arc this season.

— Dukes Recruits by JMUSN (@DukesRecruits) April 7, 2025

“The process has been good. A lot of schools have been reaching out. I have taken two visits and have a third one planned.”

His first stop after entering the portal was Toledo.

“The Toledo visit was good. They have an established winning culture so that was good to see. They have great facilities and a great coaching staff.”

Following that trip, Pacheco returned home for a visit to JMU.

“It is my hometown school, and they also have great facilities and a great coaching staff. They have won a lot over the past few years, so it was great to get on campus and see that winning culture.”

Spending time with the coaching staff in person left a strong impression.

“After meeting with the staff in person, it just reminded me again about how many great people are surrounding the program. There are so many great people there.”

He also pointed to the program’s continued success in recent seasons. Under former head coach Mark Byington, the Dukes made significant strides. With Preston Spradlin now at the helm, that momentum has carried forward, and Pacheco sees JMU as a program that’s building something special.

“Coaching Byington really turned the program around right away and had a couple of really good winning seasons. After Coach Byington left and Coach Spradlin took over, they continued to have the same success so it is really turning into a special program.”

Pacheco sees a chance to contribute in multiple ways if he were to return home and suit up for the Dukes.

“With me being a hometown kid, I would hopefully be able to help the hometown team continue to win at a high level and continue to get more fans into the arena. They have a great fanbase, but I think having a hometown kid playing for them would be huge. I think I can make a lot of shots for them as well, especially with how their offensive system is run.”

Pacheco mentioned that he is planning to visit East Carolina later on this week and is working on getting a visit scheduled to Tulane after his East Carolina visit.

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(Featured Image Credit: Mount St. Mary's) 

By Houston Wilson

Toledo transfer Seth Hubbard is in the process of setting up visits, with James Madison University firmly on his radar once the NCAA Dead Period ends on Friday. The 6'4" guard is also planning a trip to UNLV as he explores his options for his final year of college basketball.

18:31 2H | Seth Hubbard with six straight points and the Rockets are within five!!

TOLEDO 47
Akron 52#TeamToledo pic.twitter.com/6oMds2Dcvs

— Toledo Men's Basketball (@Toledo_MBB) March 14, 2025

Hubbard is coming off his junior season at Toledo, where he averaged 8.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. As he navigates the transfer portal, Hubbard spoke with Locker Room Access about what he’s looking for in a new home—and how JMU is making its case.

“I have enjoyed talking to the JMU staff. They just want me to come in and be one of the main guys. They think I can really show my potential and overall skill set in their system. They think I can be one of the best guards in the Sun Belt.”

What stands out most in his conversations with the Dukes' staff?

“Really just the coaching staff and them believing in me. They think I can give them a lot of production at the guard position. They see me as a big immediate impact guy so that has been great to hear.”

When he visits Harrisonburg, Hubbard says he’s looking to get a full picture of what life at JMU could be like.

‘I really just want to see the plan and see if I can see myself a part of that program. I really want to just feel out the campus and the gym and their entire program really.”

With one year of eligibility remaining, Hubbard knows exactly what he’s looking for in a new program.

“I really just want to go to a place that is a family atmosphere. Secondly, I want to go to a place where the coach believes in me for my last year. I want a coach to let me showcase my skills and different abilities. Lastly, I want to go to a place that has a great foundation and a place where I would have great teammates and just great people that would help me become a better man both on and off the court.”

JMU isn’t the only program in pursuit. Since entering the portal, Hubbard says the interest has been wide-ranging.

“Ever since my name has been in the portal, it has been crazy. I have been getting a lot of mid major to high major looks and some really good low major schools interests. I am really just looking for the right fit for my last year. Along with JMU, I am supposed to be visiting UNLV.  Missouri, Richmond, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Utah State, Loyola Chicago, Portland and others are reaching out to me as well.”

Toledo transfer Seth Hubbard is visiting JMU, his agent @Ryanmurphhoop tells TPR! pic.twitter.com/sLbWObxH1D

— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) March 28, 2025

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