KENNESAW, Ga. – The Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team is set to open up the 2024-25 Conference USA slate on Saturday against the Kennesaw State Owls. It will be the first CUSA game in program history for the Owls Men's Basketball team. 
 
Jax State (8-5, 0-0 CUSA) vs Kennesaw State (8-5, 0-0 CUSA)
When: Friday, January 3 | 4 PM CT / 5 PM ET
Where: KSU Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
TV: ESPN+ 
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
 
 
Sharing the Love
Against Fort Valley State on Dec. 30, Jax State finished the game with a season-best 22 assists. With the great playmaking display came six double-digit scoring performances, headlined by Jaron Pierre (29) and Jao Ituka (17) Marcellus Brigham Jr. (11), Quel'Ron House (11), Michael Houge (10) and Mason Nicholson (10) also joined the club.
 
He Shoots, He Scores
Jaron Pierre Jr. finished his contest against Fort Valley State just two points shy of his career-high in points and set a new career-best in assists. Pierre shot an impressive 12-for-14 from the floor to finish the game with 29 points and added 10 assists. The New Orleans native also had four rebounds against the Wildcats.
 
Jao Do You Do?
After sinking just seven threes on 38.9 percent from beyond the arc in his first seven games this year, Jao Ituka is shooting 53.8 percent from three on 21 makes in his last six games. Ituka is averaging 16.5 points per game in that stretch after averaging 7.4 in his first seven games this season.
 
Pettway's Reunion
Kennesaw State head coach boasts a few ties to Jax State. Pettway served as an assistant in Jacksonville from 2006-08 under head coach Mike LaPlante. In addition to coaching at Jacksonville, Pettway also faced JSU as an assistant at Alabama four times, with the KSU head coach boasting four wins over the Gamecocks.
 
Franklin Finding His Groove
Jamar Franklin has seemed to find his shooting stroke since the start of December, knocking down 19-of-32 (59%) of threes in the final month of 2024. Franklin opened up the year shooting 29.5 percent in his first seven games but has nearly doubled his three-point output since.
 
JP in the Ranks
Through 13 games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top 20 nationally in both Total Points (7th) and PPG (3rd). Pierre's 23.2 points per game lead Conference USA and puts him just 0.1 PPG behind Northern Arizona's Trenton McLaughlin for second place.
 
Non-Conference Recap
The Gamecocks enter the game 8-5 in non-conference play and boast wins over Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, ECU, EKU and Utah Valley alongside others. The game against KSU represents the season opener for Conference USA basketball for both squads.
 
Up Next
The Gamecocks head north for a road trip to WKU (1/9) and MTSU (1/11). The Gamecocks open their home CUSA slate on Jan. 16 with LA Tech.