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LOCATION: Jackson, MS
CONFERENCE: Southwestern Athletic (SWAC)
LAST SEASON: 16-12 (.571)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 11-5 (3rd)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 2/3
NICKNAME: Tigers
COLORS: Royal Blue & White
HOMECOURT: Williams Assembly Center (8,000)
COACH: Andy Stoglin (UTEP '65)
record at school 154-140 (10 years)
career record 187-164 (12 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Chris Giles (UAB '82)
Eric Strothers (Jackson State '92)
Travis Gordon (Jackson State '96)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 19-12-16-14-16
RPI (last 5 years) 226-168-200-227-205
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference semifinal.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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After finishing third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference last season, look for Jackson State to climb a little higher this time around. The Tigers, who return three starters and 11 returning lettermen from last year's squad, should contend for their first league title since 1996. "I've got the best collection of players I've ever had," Jackson State coach Andy Stoglin said. "I've got a major college team. I'm not sure if it's going to turn out to be the best team. Sometimes the best players don't make the best team, but this team has got me turned on. "I've had some guys work hard, but I've never had a team work this hard. I'm really excited about this team." Stoglin should be. The Tigers won their last eight games of the regular season before falling to Southern, 67-66, in a semifinal of the SWAC Tournament.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B BENCH/DEPTH C
FRONTCOURT B INTANGIBLES B
As Stoglin said, the best players don't always make for the best teams. But with the Tigers gaining momentum from last year's finish and with an experienced team returning along with a talented recruiting class, look for Jackson State to play a major role in the SWAC this season. If the Tigers aren't in the thick of things, whether Stoglin gets a new contract could become an issue. |
Jackson State, Stoglin said, did it with defense. Over their last nine games, the Tigers allowed just 52.3 points per game, and finished second in the league in scoring defense, giving up just 69.3 points per game. "It's hard to sell defense without work," Stoglin said. `"But our kids bought into our philosophy last year and we've got enough of them coming back, so it's going to be easy starting this season with guys who believe in playing defense." The Tigers lost their first four games before beating in-state rival Southern Mississippi. They were 2-6 before winning 14 of their last 20 games, finishing 16-12 overall and 12-5 in league play. Jackson State was seventh in the league in scoring (68.3), third in scoring margin (minus-0.5), sixth in field-goal percentage (.412), seventh in free-throw percentage (.590) and fourth in three-point field-goal percentage (.314). In addition to finishing second in scoring defense, the Tigers led the league in field-goal percentage defense (.392), third in rebounding margin (plus-1.9) and fifth in three-point field goals made per game (4.89). If Jackson State is to be one of the league's elite teams this season, senior center Vincent Jones (12.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg) will have to lead the way. A second-team All-SWAC selection last season, Jones, a 6-11 senior, blocked 84 shots. Only Mississippi Valley State's Henry Jordan had more. "Vincent is one of the best players we've ever had here," Stoglin said. "He's real unusual. He's an 8-to-5 guy. Once practice starts he's there every day and works hard. He's got a lot of heart, but he doesn't understand his talent yet. "In the offseason is where you improve. He doesn't understand the value of that and where that could take him. If he would do more in the off-season, he could play small forward in the NBA." Jones will be surrounded by four other senior starters. Joining Jones on the front line will be forwards Deon Burns (8.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), and Roy Dixon (5.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg), along with guards Marino Walker (7.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Timmy Marks (9.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg). "Marks is one of our better players," Stoglin said. "Dixon is probably the best player. When we recruited him we thought he was the best player we had. He's the one I thought would go to the NBA. "He's got NBA talent. He's strong, can shoot and can take you off the dribble. Dixon will surprise some people." Other returnees include junior forward Perry Fletcher (0.7 ppg), junior guard Lawrence Myers (0.2 ppg) junior forward/center Brian Nichols (0.9 ppg) and senior center Darren Robinson (2.1 ppg). Throw in what Stoglin calls "the best recruiting class he's ever had" and no wonder he's excited about his team. Guard Rod Dixon is eligible after sitting out last season, while 6-11 center Dontae Carson and forwards Leonard Taylor and Cliff Walker, who are 6-7 and 6-5 respectively, give the Tigers the added depth they need over the course of the season. "Taylor is a hell of a player," Stoglin said of the 260-pounder from Clinton, Miss. "It's unbelievable what he can do. Walker is 6-6 and 235. The way they're working and with their agility. I can't wait to get them on the court." The schedule isn't nearly as difficult. The Tigers still play Arkansas and Memphis, but instead of playing Missouri, Louisiana State and Tulsa, Stoglin has scheduled Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech and McNeese State. "What we've done this year is tried to schedule teams that can give us a good guarantee, but people we also have a chance to beat," Stoglin said. Early during the off-season, Stoglin and school officials squabbled about a contract. The matter has yet to be resolved, but Stoglin has put that behind him. The team, he said, comes first. "I decided I couldn't do anything about that contract stuff," Stoglin said. "I'm trying to put my energy into this team."
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