LESSON LEARNED
Jubril Adekoya back for Valparaiso after serving two-game suspension,
VALPARAISO — Jubril Adekoya didn’t recall that he made the first start of his Valparaiso career against James Madison last season at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
“Whatever I do to help the team win, that’s what I remember,” the sophomore forward said.
As a freshman against the Dukes, Adekoya had eight points and four rebounds in 23 minutes as the Crusaders posted an 81-49 win, one that matched their most lopsided against a Division I opponent in almost four years.
This season, Adekoya has not contributed to the last two wins as Valparaiso pushed its record to 12-2. He served a suspension after his arrest earlier this month for minor consumption.
Adekoya will be back in uniform when the Crusaders play at James Madison (7-5) on Monday night in their final nonconference game before opening Horizon League play at Oakland on Friday.
“I feel like I let my team down, so I’m definitely excited to get back out there with them,” Adekoya said. “I made a mistake, and I learned from it. Just get it back moving, keep moving forward and keep improving.”
Adekoya has averaged 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12 games, including four starts. His start against James Madison was the first of 24 last season, when he averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games.
“It’s great to have him back, and it’s also great he had a couple games to watch,” Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew said. “He learned things in life, and he also learned things in basketball by watching those games.”
The Crusaders could benefit from the 6-7 Adekoya’s size off the bench against the Dukes, who while not towering typically have started a lineup that includes two 6-8 players and another at 6-7.
Much of the key personnel for each team is different from last season’s game. James Madison point guard Ron Curry, averaging 10 points and 4.9 assists this season, was sidelined for the game with an injury. Guard Andre Nation missed the game as part of a 15-game suspension before going on to average 15.4 points and 5.3 rebounds; he was named to the Colonial Athletic Association first team this preseason before being suspended for five games. Nation has averaged 9.4 points in seven games since his return.
The Dukes have lost two straight, including to Norfolk State in overtime on Dec. 22. The Crusaders last played against Goshen on Dec. 21.
“The first game after Christmas, as a coach, you never know what you’re going to get, if your guys are going to be sharp or not — you just never know,” Drew said. “In my experience, they can go one way or the other — there’s not a lot of middle ground with it. But hopefully this game will help us prepare for our conference season.”
Notes: Last season’s game was the first between the teams. … James Madison lists no seniors on its roster. … Dukes sophomore forward Yohanny Dalembert, averaging 10.8 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds, is the half-brother of NBA veteran Samuel Dalembert.