(St. Louis, MO) – The surprising Jacksonville State Gamecocks have their next assignment. Friday the fifteenth seeded Gamecocks will open the NCAA Tournament with a monumental task of taking on second seeded Louisville, in a Midwest Regional’s opening round game.
JSU has produced one of the greatest turnarounds in this campaign’s basketball season. After winning eight games last season, first year head coach Ray Harper engineered a 20-14 record and an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament victory.
The veteran JSU squad will have its hands full with the 24-8 Cardinals. OVC Tournament MVP Malcolm Drumwright (12.6 points and 3.8 assists per game) leads a balanced Gamecock attack as one of four players that average double figure scoring.
Greg Tucker (11.3), Eric Durham (11.1) and Norbertas Giga (10.4 & 8.1 rebounds) were the other leading scorers. Christian Cunningham (8.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game) edged Giga as the leading rebounder.
Of course, Louisville is coached by hall of fame coach Rick Pitino and are led by all-ACC guard Donovan Mitchell. The Cardinals return to the NCAA Tournament after a one year ineligibility (disciplinary action) absence. Prior to last season’s imposed ban, Louisville had gone to the ‘Big Dance’ nine straight seasons.
This is the Gamecock’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
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I haven't heard, nor do I know, how does this apply to the typical 'foreign' basketball player that is most often over 19?
Obviously, this is a sentimental and not a ‘spreadsheet’ notion, but would hate to see @MVCsports change the #ArchMadness format from the traditional ‘family reunion’ feel by cutting teams from the experience. #FatherHarry
Another nice @MVCsports basketball schedule announcement. #FatherHarry . .
Congrats to @ISURedbirdGolf. T.J. Barger sets a school record. Pietro Pontiggia records the Redbirds' second-ever top 20 finish at a regional. The team finishes tent in the region which is tied for the program's best regional finish! #FatherHarry
