JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The first place Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team looks to avenge one of two Conference USA losses from January when Middle Tennessee travels to The Pete for a 6 p.m. tipoff on Thursday. Middle Tennessee currently holds sole possession of second place in CUSA.
 
Jax State (15-7, 7-2 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (15-7, 6-3 CUSA)
When: Thursday, February 6 | 6 PM
Where: Pete Mathews Coliseum | Jacksonville, Alabama
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
 
 
First Things First
Jax State enters Thursday's contest against Middle Tennessee in sole possession of first place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks sit one game ahead of the Blue Raiders courtest of a six game winning streak that includes a 4-0 CUSA record at the Pete Mathews Coliseum halfway through the conference slate.
 
Hot Hands
Entering the week, Jax State is riding a six-game winning streak, the longest streak in Conference USA and the 17th longest active streak in the NCAA. The Gamecocks look to earn their longest winning streak since 2021-22 when Jax State won 10 games in a row. Jax State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2021-22.
 
In the Polls
For the first time since March 4, 2019, Jax State is ranked in the College Insider Mid Major poll. The Gamecocks rank 23rd and are one of two CUSA teams in the poll, joining Liberty. Four other CUSA foes are receiving votes in the poll, including Middle Tennessee and WKU. The 
Mid-Major Top 25 is voted on by 31 Division I coaches.
 
Clean Sweeps
For the third consecutive sweep, Jax State has picked up a Conference USA sweep. Most recently, the Gamecocks sent FIU and Liberty packing after victories in The Pete last week. Previously, Jax State knocked off LA Tech, Sam Houston, UTEP and New Mexico State in sweeps.
 
Glass Cleaners
Jax State ranks eighth in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game with 28.73. Michael Houge (72nd) and Mason Nicholson (72nd) both rank in the top 100 in total rebounds per game with 8.0 rebounds per contest.
 
Blue Raider Rematch
Middle Tennessee is responsible for one of Jax State's two CUSA losses this season, handing the Gamecocks a 81-64 defeat in Murfreesboro on Jan. 11. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the loss while Jestin Porter, Essam Mostafa and Jlynn Counter handled the Gamecocks. Mason Nicholson exited the contest after suffering a head injury in the first half.
 
Defending the Pete
Jax State is 9-0 so far this season in home games at the Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville. Jax State is the only CUSA school to boast an undefeated home record so far this season, outlasting travel partner Kennesaw State. The Owls lost their first home game of the season on Jan. 30 to Liberty
 
Up Next
Jax State wraps up its four-game home stretch on Saturday against Western Kentucky at 4 p.m.