ATLANTA – For the first time in program history, Jax State is set to participate in the National Invitation Tournament. The Gamecocks travel East to match up with Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Ga. at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. It is set to be Jax State's third consecutive national TV contest.   
 
Jax State (21-12, 12-6 CUSA) vs Georgia Tech (17-16, 10-10 ACC)
When: Tuesday, March 18 | 6:00 PM CT 
Where: McCamish Pavilion | Atlanta, Ga.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
TV: ESPN2
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
 
 
Postseason Bound
For the fourth time in nine seasons, Ray Harper has led Jax State to a postseason tournament. Harper has previously taken Jax State to two NCAA tournaments and the 2017-18 CBI Semifinals.
  
The State of Basketball
Eight of the 10 NCAA Division I teams in the state of Alabama are making an appearance in a postseason tournament this season, with Jax State, North Alabama, UAB and Samford all making a stop in the NIT. Alabama, Auburn, Alabama State and Troy are all in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field as well.
 
NIT Outlook
Out of the 32-team field, two of Jax State's regular season opponents in the field, including Utah Valley and Middle Tennessee. Jax State boasted a 3-1 record against the two other teams in the field.
 
House, Pierre Named All-Tournament Team
Quel'Ron House and Jaron Pierre were each named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team after helping Jax State make a run to the CUSA Championship game before falling in the finals to Liberty. Pierre averaged 19.0 points across the three games while House averaged 16.3.
 
Pierre Takes CUSA Player of the Year
After averaging the fourth most points in all of NCAA Division I basketball with 21.8 points per contest in the regular season, Pierre was named CUSA Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference. On top of his season-long scoring barrage, Pierre also led Jax State in assists per game with 3.7 and averaged 5.3 rebounds per game in the regular season. 
  
Harper Named CUSA Coach of the Year
Harper takes home the Gene Bartow Conference USA Coach of the Year award after leading a Jax State squad riddled with injuries to a two seed in the Conference USA tournament. Jax State was selected to finish eighth by the league's coaches in the Preseason Poll.
  
Nicholson Hearns Postseason Honors
Nicholson earned both All-Defensive Team and All-Conference Honorable Mention honors after a season that saw the redshirt junior set new career highs in several stats. Nicholson averaged 7.7 points and 7.7 rebounds this regular season, leading Jax State in both total rebounds (250) and blocks (52). Nicholson also earned All-Conference USA Honorable Mention Honors last season.
  
House Named to All-Freshman Team
Quel'Ron House was a key piece for the Gamecocks after returning from injury, taking on the role as Jax State's second leading scorer in Conference USA play at 8.3 PPG while totaling a team best 58 assists in 17 conference games. Since joining the starting lineup on Jan. 9, House has tallied double-digit points seven times after only accomplishing the feat once in non-conference play.
  
Up Next
With a win, Jax State would advance to the second round of the NIT, playing the winner of UC Irvine and Northern Colorado.