COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team gears up for a battle with Southeastern Conference opponent Missouri on Tuesday in Mizzou Arena. Missouri enters the contest receiving votes in the AP poll. 
 
Jax State (6-4, 0-0 CUSA) vs (RV) Missouri (9-1, 0-0 SEC)
When: Tuesday, December 17 | 6:30 PM
Where: Mizzou Arena | Jacksonville, Mo.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
TV: SECN+ 
Radio: Listen to all the action on the Gamecock Sports Network as "The Voice" Mike Parris returns behind the mic for his 42nd season calling play-by-play action of Gamecock Basketball. Anchor stations for the Gamecock Sports Network include 91.9 WLJS (Jacksonville), WVOK 97.9 (Anniston/Oxford), WKXX 102.9 (Attalla/Gadsden), 95.5 WRBZ (Montgomery/Wetumpka), 95.3/94.7 WCRL (Oneonta), 97.7 WKXM (Winfield) and 107.1 WRAB (Arab).
 
 
Jax State Notes
 
 
Gamecocks Topple Utah Valley
Jaron Pierre Jr. surpassed the 25 point mark for the third time this season as Jax State took down WAC foe Utah Valley 70-66. The Gamecocks shot 50% from beyond the arc on the way to a victory over the Wolverines. Jax State is shooting 47% (20-43) from three over the last two games. 
 
Jao Do You Do?
Jax State guard Jao Ituka has stepped up his game to another level across the last three games. Ituka has averaged 17.3 points in his last three contests after averaging 7.4 in his first seven. Ituka has also made 13 three pointers in the last three games after only making seven in the first seven games of the season.
 
A Top End Duo
In the last few games, the Jax State guard duo of Jao Ituka and Jaron Pierre Jr. has been stellar. The pair have combined to average 40.3 points per game across the last three outings. Pierre is averaging 23.0 while Ituka is managing 17.3.
 
Jax State vs the SEC
Jax State and Missouri have never met in men's basketball before, but Jax State has faced off with SEC competition on 44 occasions prior. Jax State holds a 1-43 record all time vs current SEC opponents. The Gamecocks last matched up with an SEC foe on 11/18/22 when No. 16 Alabama won 104-62. The lone Jax State win came in 1952-53 when Jax State defeated Alabama 67-64.
 
JP in the Ranks
Through nine games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top 20 nationally in both Total Points (12th) and PPG (4th). Pierre's 23.2 points per game lead Conference USA and makes him one of eight Division I players averaging at least 22 points per contest this season. He is one of two players in the NCAA to average 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 4+ assists, joining Rutgers freshman and projected lottery pick Dylan Harper. 
 
No Free Points
As a team, Jax State ranks sixth out of 364 Division I men's basketball teams in fouls per game with 12.8. Jax State has just 114 fouls in nine games and ranks just 1.4 fouls per game behind Creighton, who averages 11.4 fouls per game.
 
Cleaning Glass
Jax State ranks fourth in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game with 31.50. The Gamecocks trail the leading Kentucky Wildcats by just over one defensive rebound per game. Michael Houge (52nd) and Mason Nicholson (94th) both rank in the top 100 in total rebounds per game with 8.4 and 7.8 respectively.
 
Up Next
Jax State plays just two games in the rest of December, first traveling to Berea, Ky. to play Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 21 before returning home after Christmas to play Fort Valley State on Dec. 30 in Jacksonville.