HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison women’s basketball unveiled a loaded non-conference schedule, featuring four teams that competed in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship.
The slate is comprised of 13 contests, with eight taking place inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center. Four non-conference opponents finished in the top 50 from the final NET rankings of the 2024-25 season: Texas (3), Notre Dame (4), George Mason (45) and Virginia Tech (47).
“Thrilled with the challenges and local matchups we were able to get in our non-conference schedule this year,” said Head Coach Sean O’Regan. “It is certainly one of the most challenging schedules we’ve ever played. It will prepare us for the Sun Belt and help us chase our ultimate goal of winning a championship.”
The Dukes’ campaign kicks off with a five-game homestand, beginning with Kent State on Nov. 3 for the first leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge. JMU then welcomes George Mason to Harrisonburg on Nov. 6, with the Patriots coming off their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history.
James Madison will see Queens (N.C.) venture to the Friendly City (Nov. 9), followed by a midweek tilt with Liberty (Nov. 12), fresh off its first Conference USA title. The Dukes are then set for a rematch with Villanova (Nov. 16) before making their return trip to Austin, Texas to take on the Longhorns on Nov. 19. Texas is coming off a 35-4 (15-1 SEC) season that saw the team reach its fourth Final Four in program history.
JMU hosts Virginia Tech for a Nov. 23 matchup, marking the first matchup between the two programs since meeting in the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in 2019. From there, the Dukes head to the Sunshine State for the Daytona Beach Classic where they will play on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. Opponents and game times will be announced at a later date.
O’Regan’s squad opens December at East Carolina (Dec. 3) in the Dukes’ first visit to Greenville, N.C. since 2005. JMU then returns to Harrisonburg when it welcomes VCU on Dec. 7 and will battle Notre Dame inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Dec. 14 for the final home game of 2025.
Later in the season, the Dukes will travel to a Mid-American Conference opponent on Feb. 7. Matchups will be determined in mid-January based on NET rankings.
Click here to view the entire 2025-26 schedule.
— JMU Athletics —
