JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State will officially open the 2023-24 men's basketball season Tuesday morning with an 11:30 a.m. tip against Brescia University at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
The Gamecocks and Bearcats meet for just the second time in program history after the two tangled in November of 2019 in a contest Jax State prevailed, 125-55. The 125 points went down as the most scored in a game in the program's Div. I history since 1995.
 
Head coach Ray Harper will pace the sidelines beginning his eighth season at the helm of the Gamecocks. Responsible for both of Jax State's trips to March Madness and the NCAA Division I Tournament, Harper's 132 wins are already the most among any coach in the school's Div. I era. Across the way, Brescia head coach Sarah Gayler leads the Bearcats to the start of her third season. The former international player and later coach, Gayler joined the front office of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019 and helped bring the franchise its first NBA Championship. In 2021, she became the first female in NAIA history to take the role of head men's basketball coach at an institution.
 
Plenty of new Gamecocks saw action in last Wednesday's 78-49 exhibition win over Talladega College. Led by senior Juwan Perdue and returners Marcellus Brigham Jr., and Travis Roberts, the Gamecocks welcome 10 newcomers to the fold for 2023-24. Graduate transfer KyKy Tandy led the scoring with 18 points as part of 11 Gamecocks overall to reach the scoring column against the Tornadoes.
 
Tuesday's early tip at The Pete is part of Jax State's Kid's Education Day. Coverage of the game will feature ESPN+ broadcast and Mike Parris' radio play-by-play call over the air on the Gamecock Sports Network and affiliated stations.
 
For the latest on all things Jax State men's basketball, follow the team on social media by searching "JaxStateMBB" on X and Instagram.