JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team is set to open up the 2025-26 campaign on Monday evening when they welcome the Oakwood Ambassadors to the Pete Mathews Coliseum at 6 p.m.
Jax State vs. Oakwood
Monday, Nov. 3 | 6 p.m.
Pete Mathews Coliseum
Live Stats |
Watch |
Listen |
Tickets
Opening Remarks
Jax State is 9-0 in home openers under
Ray Harper, including wins over LaGrange, Brescia, Shorter, Alabama A&M and Tennessee Tech in the last five years. Jax State has not lost a home opener since the 2013-14 season.
Let's Get it Started
Monday's Nov. 3 tip-off will be the earliest season opening tip-off in Jax State men's basketball history. The previous earliest start to a season was last year, when the Gamecocks opened the 2024-25 campaign on Nov. 4 against LaGrange College.
A Decade in Jacksonville
The 2025-26 season will be Head Coach
Ray Harper's 10th season at the helm of the Jax State Men's Basketball Program. He has amassed over 150 wins in his time as a Gamecock.
Mr. 600
With a dominant 81-64 win over Georgia Tech in the opening round of the NIT last season,
Ray Harper earned the 600th coaching victory of his illustrious career. Harper has amassed 600 victories in his collegiate career, including 169 at Jacksonville State.
Home Sweet Home
Across the last seven seasons, Jacksonville State boasts a record of 56-26 in The Pete. The Gamecocks have specifically dominated the non-con ranks, turning in a total record of 23-5 record in non-conference home games since the 2019-20 season.
El Moutauakkil Named Preseason All-Conference
Jax State forward
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil was named one of 10 members of the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team, the first Gamecock to earn preseason all-conference honors since Darian Adams in 2021. El Moutaouakkil, a Louisiana transfer from Rabat, Morocco, appeared in 33 games for the Ragin' Cajuns last season and led the squad in scoring.
Returning Production
Jax State only returns 814 minutes and 221 points from the 2024-25 season.
Jamar Franklin,
Iaroslav Niagu and
Aidan Driggers combined to account for just 11% of the Gamecock minutes and 8% of Gamecock points last year.
Global Gamecocks
The Jax State roster features players from six different nationalities.
Bencao Vungo (Angola),
Thomas Tut (South Sudan) and
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil (Morocco) highlight a trio of African players while also featuring
Iaroslav Niagu (Russia) and
Aitor Anabitarte (Spain). Jax State also has 11 other athletes from the United States.
