News Summary
The Jacksonville University Dolphins are gearing up to face the Incarnate Word Cardinals in a pivotal quarterfinal showdown on March 24, 2025. The Dolphins, with a record of 19-13, seek to extend their home winning streak and bounce back from a recent loss. Both teams enter with identical records against the spread, making this matchup all the more critical as they vie for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Fans are encouraged to rally behind the Dolphins as they aim for victory in front of their home crowd.
Jacksonville University Dolphins Gear Up for Quarterfinal Showdown
Jacksonville, get ready! Our very own Jacksonville University Dolphins are set to battle the Incarnate Word Cardinals this coming Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Ocean Center. This quarterfinal clash promises to be one for the books as the Dolphins (19-13) look to maintain their momentum in the postseason.
Dolphins Look to Extend Winning Streak
With a four-game home winning streak on the line, the Dolphins are fired up and looking to shake off a disappointing loss to North Alabama, where they fell 78-63. Robert McCray was the standout performer in that last outing, racking up 19 points and 5 assists, although he struggled to find his rhythm in recent games and only scored 3 points in the latest match. Alongside him, Jakari Spence shined as well, contributing 14 points and 4 steals, with an impressive shooting percentage of 62.5% from the field.
The Dolphins have shown impressive depth this season, with 11 players averaging double-digit minutes. This could give them an edge as they head into this high-pressure showdown. Fingers crossed they can harness that home-court advantage to propel them to victory!
Cardinals Soaring High
On the other side of the court, the Incarnate Word Cardinals (18-16) are not to be underestimated. They are riding a wave of confidence after their first-round victory against Manhattan, winning 92-85 away from home. Dylan Hayman was on fire for the Cardinals, leading his team with 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Jordan Pyke also made a significant contribution with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Incarnate Word has been on a roll lately, boasting a 6-2 record in their last eight games. With guard Davion Bailey averaging 16.6 points per game, the Cardinals have plenty of offensive firepower to challenge the Dolphins.
A Battle of Equal Records
As both teams enter this matchup, they have identical records against the spread at 16-14 for the season. Jacksonville finished strong in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 12-6 record, while Incarnate Word wrapped up their run in the Southland Conference at 9-11. This adds an intriguing layer to the game, as both teams will be eager to prove themselves in this postseason setting.
Pivotal Points Up for Grabs
The Dolphins will need to tighten their defense, especially after a bye week preceding their last game, which led to some turnovers. Those mistakes resulted in 21 points for Incarnate Word and could have played a role in Jacksonville’s prior loss. The total over/under for this highly anticipated matchup has been set at 140.5 points, indicating that both teams could be in for a high-scoring battle.
And let’s not forget, this marks Jacksonville’s first postseason tournament appearance since the 2016-17 season. The Dolphins have been in the hunt for a ticket to the NCAA Tournament, a dream that has evaded them since 1985-86.
What’s on the Line?
The winner of this quarterfinal showdown will advance to face Illinois State in the semifinal on Tuesday, making this game even more critical for both teams. As the clock winds down to tip-off, we can expect the Dolphins to give it their all, looking to make a splash in front of their home crowd.
So, how about you, Jacksonville? Are you ready to cheer on our Dolphins as they take on the challenge of the Cardinals? It’s shaping up to be an electrifying game, so don’t forget to tune in at 12 p.m. ET on FloCollege. Let’s go, Dolphins!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jacksonville University Dolphins Face Tough Loss in CBI Quarterfinals
Jacksonville University Dolphins Make History in CBI
JU Dolphins Basketball Clinches ASUN Tournament Spot
Eastern Kentucky University Men’s Basketball Faces Setback
Jacksonville University Set to Host Basketball Showdown
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Incarnate Word vs Jacksonville Game Overview
- CBS Sports: Jacksonville vs Incarnate Word Predictions
- Jacksonville.com: Dolphins Prepare for CBI Quarterfinals
- SportsLine: Expert Picks for Jacksonville vs Incarnate Word
- JU Dolphins: Men’s Basketball News
