Jacksonville - The Jacksonville State men's basketball team is set to conclude its three-game homestand on Friday as the Gamecocks welcome the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to the Pete Mathews Coliseum for a 6 p.m. tip off. 
 
Both teams enter the matchup after a full six-days away from game action, with Jacksonville State coming off a 64–60 win over Louisiana Tech where the Gamecocks shot a season low 40% from the field, the lowest percentage they have shot yet still were able to get the win. Middle Tennessee's previous game was a 90–87 double-overtime victory at Missouri State to give MTSU a 5-2 record in CUSA.  
 
Coming off an 18-point, 6-rebound performance against Louisiana Tech, Mostapha El Moutaouakkil continues to lead the Gamecocks offensively, averaging 18.2 points per game to rank second in Conference USA. AC Bryant also played a key role in the win over La. Tech, scoring 15 points while shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range. Bryant currently ranks second in Conference USA in three-point percentage at 37 percent. 
 
Middle Tennessee enters the contest having gone 3–2 over its last five games, with all five decided by four points or fewer, setting up what looks to be a tight matchup Friday night. For the Blue Raiders, Torey Alston is coming off a 22-point 9-rebound game and Kamari Lands, who is MTSU's leading scorer averaging 13.1 points-per-game, tallied up 21 points in the double overtime win vs MO State.  
 
Tickets that have previously been purchased for Saturday's double header will now be valid for Friday's game. The Red Panda will be performing her electrifying acrobatic act at both Friday's men's game vs. MTSU and Saturday's women's game vs. New Mexico State during halftime.  
 
After the contest, Jax State begins a three-game road trip with games at FIU, Missouri State, and Western Kentucky.