JSU On the Road to Identity

(St. Louis, MO) – Jacksonville State has become the third member of the Ohio Valley Conerence’s power structure. Ray Harper’s team won the conference tournament in 2017 and finished fourth last year. Harper has accumulated 43 wins during his first two seasons. Now they are playing a heavy road schedule while trying to find their identity.

High level transfers and solid hold-overs make the Gamecocks a very interesting team. They were voted third (7 first place votes) in the preseason poll, but their non conference schedule is both difficult and road heavy.

Renovations continue at JSU’s Pete Mathews Coliseum (hurricane damage) have forced the Gamecocks to a heavier than normal road schedule. Harper says the difficult road schedule will prepare his team for the OVC season.

 

 

Their 20-point loss at Samford tarnished the start to the season, but Harper says his team has the right pieces to have a very successful season. JSU’s Monday night loss at Penn State left them 0-2. Thinking back on his first team, he says the current squad needs to focus on ‘getting better’ rather than on wins and losses.

 

 

Returners Jason Burnell and Christian Cunningham were named to the OVC’s preseason all-conference team. In the JSU opener Cunningham became the all-time Gamecock shot blocker (165) and is force in the middle.

Redshirt transfers Detrick Mostella and Ty Hudson bring experience and talent to the JSU backcourt. Mostella (Tennessee) and Hudson (Clemson) come from ‘money conferences’ and Harper believes Mostella could be an OVC ‘player of the year’ contender.

Harper is excited about the athletic ability on his team.

 

 

Through two games the Burnell is leading the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding  (10.0). Mostella and Cunningham have reached double figures in scoring in both losses.

JSU travels to 2-0 Bradley on Wednesday.

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