JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The first place Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team hopes to finish off a season sweep of Western Kentucky on Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Hilltoppers travel to The Pete for the second time in the series history. Jax State knocked off WKU 73-67 in Bowling Green earlier this season. 
 
Jax State (16-7, 8-2 CUSA) vs WKU (14-9, 5-5 CUSA)
When: Saturday, February 8 | 4 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 Saturday's contest against Western Kentucky in sole possession of first place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks are at least two games ahead of the rest of Conference USA. Jax State's winning streak includes a 5-0 CUSA record at the Pete Mathews Coliseum halfway through the conference slate.
 
Hot Hands
Entering the weekend, Jax State is riding a seven-game winning streak, the longest streak in CUSA and the 11th 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 sixth in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game with 28.74. Michael Houge (74th) and Mason Nicholson (84th) both rank in the top 100 in total rebounds per game with 8.0 and 7.9 rebounds per contest respectively.
 
A Career Night
Jaron Pierre Jr. set The Pete on fire with a 36 point performance against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 6. Pierre's new career high helped propel the Gamecocks to a 77-63 statement victory over the Blue Raiders in Jacksonville. The redshirt senior also added five rebounds and four assists on 10-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc. and 13-of-24 from the field.
  
Defending the Pete
Jax State is 10-0 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
The Gamecocks hit the road following a four-game homestand at Sam Houston (Feb. 13) and Louisiana Tech (Feb. 13) next week.