The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team returns home to host Jacksonville State on Thursday night at McBrayer Arena. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The game will air live on ESPN+. The radio broadcast of the game can be heard locally at 100.7 FM and worldwide at EKUSports.com.
WHAT TO KNOW
EKU (9-2, 3-1 OVC) has won four straight games. The Colonels went to Clarksville, Tennessee and knocked off preseason OVC co-favorite Austin Peay, 80-75, on Saturday.
Freshman Wendell Green Jr. poured in a career-high 30 points to lead the Colonels past Austin Peay. His 30 points are the second most by any player in the OVC this season, and the second most by any freshman in the country.
Green Jr. was voted the OVC Freshman of the Week on Monday.
EKU climbed back into the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25® on Monday. The Colonels checked in at No. 25 in this week’s poll. They are one of only two OVC teams featured in the Top 25. Thursday’s opponent, Jacksonville State, is receiving votes.
Eastern leads the NCAA in steals-per-game (13.5), ranks second in turnovers forced-per-game (22.3) and ranks third in turnover margin (+8.1).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Jacksonville State (7-2, 3-0 OVC) is unbeaten in OVC play so far. The Gamecocks’ last game was an 80-70 victory over UT Martin at home on December 30.
Darian Adams paces JSU offensively at 14.3 points-per-game.
This is the 35th all-time meeting between EKU and Jacksonville State. The Colonels lead the series, 22-12. The two teams have split the regular season series the past two seasons. JSU beat Eastern, 80-71, in Richmond on January 4, 2020.
UP NEXT
Following Thursday night’s showdown, EKU stays at home to host Tennessee Tech on Saturday, January 9 at 7 p.m. ET.
— www.EKUSports.com ––
Steve Fohl
Associate Director of EKUSports Communications