James Madison Dukes Upset Arkansas State Red Wolves
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · First National Bank Arena
James Madison Dukes 78, Arkansas State Red Wolves 74, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won James Madison Dukes vs Arkansas State Red Wolves?
James Madison Dukes beat Arkansas State Red Wolves 78-74 at First National Bank Arena on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in James Madison Dukes vs Arkansas State Red Wolves?
Arkansas State Red Wolves were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -535 (about 84% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling encounter at the First National Bank Arena, the James Madison Dukes secured a hard-fought victory over the Arkansas State Red Wolves, winning 78-74. This result marks a significant achievement for James Madison, who had previously lost to Arkansas State in their only prior meeting during the 2025 season, where they fell short with a score of 62-67. The Dukes' recent form has been a mixed bag, entering this game with a record of 8-7, but they were on a three-game losing streak, having averaged 76.3 points while allowing 79.9 in their last ten games.
In contrast, Arkansas State boasted a stronger home record of 10-5 and had been performing well with a 7-3 mark over their last ten games, averaging 83.8 points scored and allowing 76.5. The Red Wolves had won their last three games leading up to this fixture, showcasing a potent offense that had been difficult for opponents to contain. However, they faced a tough challenge from James Madison, who were eager to turn their fortunes around after a difficult stretch.
The game started off competitively, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half. As the second half progressed, the intensity ramped up, culminating in a series of critical scoring plays. Notably, Cliff Davis of the Dukes made a pivotal 26-foot three-point jumper that shifted the momentum in favor of James Madison, bringing the score to 76-72. The Dukes' ability to capitalize on key moments was a testament to their resilience, especially considering their recent struggles.
Arkansas State had a solid start to the season at home, maintaining an impressive 4-0 record at the First National Bank Arena. However, their performance in this game showed that they could be vulnerable, particularly against a motivated opponent like James Madison. The Red Wolves' last five games had seen them average 91.0 points scored, but they could not replicate that offensive output against the Dukes, who managed to stifle their scoring opportunities effectively.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the overall performance of both teams suggests that they were at full strength for this matchup. The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that Arkansas State was favored by 10.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The odds reflected a strong belief in the Red Wolves' capabilities at home, but the outcome of this game demonstrated that betting lines can sometimes be misleading.
The conditions for the game were typical for January, with a lively crowd in attendance, adding to the atmosphere. Fans witnessed a dynamic contest filled with ups and downs, showcasing the competitive nature of college basketball.
As the game concluded, the Dukes celebrated their victory, having turned around their recent form and ended their losing streak. The Red Wolves, on the other hand, will need to regroup and reassess their strategies as they look to bounce back from this unexpected defeat. This matchup not only provided excitement for the fans but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where any team can rise to the occasion and claim victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ARST -10.5 | 158.5 o -115 / u -105 | James Madison Dukes +400 · Arkansas State Red Wolves -535 |
Leaders
- PointsMatt Hayman23Arkansas State Red Wolves
- AssistsChandler Jackson6Arkansas State Red Wolves
- ReboundsJalen Hampton13Arkansas State Red Wolves
- PointsCliff Davis24James Madison Dukes
- AssistsJustin McBride4James Madison Dukes
- ReboundsJustin McBride7James Madison Dukes
Recent form
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Last 10: 7-3Streak W383.8 scored · 76.5 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W107-63vs Arkansas Tech Wonder BoysDec 31
- W93-86at Southern Miss Golden EaglesDec 20
- W89-70at Texas State BobcatsDec 18
- L76-77at Rice OwlsDec 13
- W90-78at Little Rock TrojansDec 7
- W83-63vs UT Arlington MavericksDec 3
- W85-80vs North Dakota State BisonNov 28
- W74-63vs Jacksonville State GamecocksNov 25
- L69-100at SMU MustangsNov 22
- L72-85at Saint Mary's GaelsNov 20
James Madison Dukes
Last 10: 5-5Streak L376.3 scored · 79.9 allowed per game1-5 away
- L74-103at Arkansas RazorbacksDec 30
- L92-96at Georgia Southern EaglesDec 20
- L68-77at Old Dominion MonarchsDec 18
- W68-67vs Norfolk State SpartansDec 6
- W67-62vs North Carolina Central EaglesDec 4
- L66-82at George Mason PatriotsNov 29
- W88-77vs Omaha MavericksNov 26
- W80-72at Florida International PanthersNov 25
- W81-75vs Towson TigersNov 19
- L79-88at Long Island University SharksNov 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 22-12 | - | 12-6 |
| South Alabama | 21-12 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Arkansas State | 20-12 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Texas State | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Marshall | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Coastal Carolina | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| App State | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| James Madison | 18-15 | 3 | 9-9 |
| Southern Miss | 19-16 | 3 | 9-9 |
| Georgia Southern | 21-16 | 4 | 8-10 |
| Old Dominion | 12-21 | 5 | 7-11 |
| Louisiana | 11-22 | 5 | 7-11 |
| Georgia State | 10-22 | 5 | 7-11 |
| UL Monroe | 4-28 | 11 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | James Madison Dukes | Arkansas State Red Wolves |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-51 | 25-70 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 36 |
| Three-pointers | 8-17 | 8-32 |
| Three-point % | 47 | 25 |
| Free throws | 16-26 | 16-27 |
| Free throw % | 62 | 59 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 20 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 22 |
| Assists | 11 | 12 |
| Steals | 5 | 9 |
| Blocks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 34 |
| Fouls | 23 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 17 | 17 |
| Time in front | 29 | 65 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half45-50Cliff Davis makes 25-foot three point jumper (Justin McBride assists)
- 2nd Half46-50Christian Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-50Justin McBride makes 7-foot jumper (Christian Brown assists)
- 2nd Half50-50Cliff Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half51-50Cliff Davis makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-50Justin McBride makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-50Justin McBride makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cliff Davis assists)
- 2nd Half56-52Jaxon Ellingsworth makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-53Jaxon Ellingsworth makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-53Justin McBride makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Ike Cornish makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Jaxon Ellingsworth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-55Jaxon Ellingsworth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-56Jaxon Ellingsworth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-57Jaxon Ellingsworth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-59Chandler Jackson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-60Jalen Hampton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Justin McBride makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-60Justin McBride makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-61Christian Harmon makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half60-62Christian Harmon makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half60-65Joey Chammaa makes 26-foot three point jumper (Chandler Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half62-65Eli Wilborn makes 4-foot dunk (Bradley Douglas assists)
- 2nd Half62-66Joey Chammaa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-67Joey Chammaa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-67Justin McBride makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-67Justin McBride makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-69Chandler Jackson makes layup
- 2nd Half65-69Cliff Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-69Cliff Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-69Eli Wilborn makes layup
- 2nd Half69-69Ike Cornish makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-71Matt Hayman makes layup
- 2nd Half71-71Cliff Davis makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half73-71Eli Wilborn makes layup
- 2nd Half73-72Chandler Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-72Cliff Davis makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half76-74Chandler Jackson makes layup
- 2nd Half77-74Cliff Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-74Cliff Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Arkansas State Red Wolves, below favours James Madison Dukes.
Venue
- First National Bank ArenaJonesboro, AR
- Attendance4017
- OfficialsSidney Cohen, Donta Carter, Michael Swoboda
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond