Jackson State University’s men’s basketball team is set to return home for two games, starting with a matchup against Florida A&M on Saturday. The game will take place at the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center and is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., following the women’s game. Fans can watch the game live on HBCUGO.
Both Jackson State and Florida A&M enter the weekend with identical conference records of 6-5 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Jackson State currently shares fourth place in the SWAC standings, trailing Southern by one game and Arkansas-Pine Bluff by two games. Earlier this season, Jackson State secured a narrow 66-65 victory over Florida A&M in Tallahassee.
Daeshun Ruffin leads the Tigers this season in both scoring and assists, averaging 23.3 points per game (30.3 in conference play) and 5.7 assists per game (8.2 in conference play). Ruffin missed the last two games but remains a key contributor for Jackson State. He is joined by Jayme Mitchell Jr., who averages 14 points and five rebounds per game and was recently named SWAC co-Impact Player of the Week, as well as Dorian McMillian, who contributes 11.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Ruffin’s performance has been notable throughout the season, leading the conference in free throw attempts (173), free throws made (148), total points (489), and points per game (23.3). He also ranks second in assists (119), assists per game (5.7), field goal attempts (347), and field goals made (154). Nationally, Ruffin is ranked second in scoring, fifth in free throws made, tenth in total points, sixteenth in field goal attempts, and sixteenth in free throw attempts.
Mitchell had a standout performance against Mississippi Valley State on February 7, recording career highs with 39 points and 13 rebounds—his first career double-double.
Head coach Mo Williams has included his sons on the coaching staff this season; KyDarrius serves as an assistant coach while Mike joins as a recruit from Germantown High School.
Jackson State has faced five nationally-ranked opponents this season—the most among teams in their conference—including Illinois, Louisville, Auburn, Arkansas, and Houston. The team has played what sources identify as one of the toughest schedules nationally.
Ruffin and Dionjahe Thomas have each recorded multiple double-doubles recently. Ruffin notched double-doubles against Prairie View A&M with 23 points and ten assists on January 17 and followed up with another against Texas Southern with 22 points and a career-high sixteen assists on January 19. Thomas posted double-doubles during those same matchups as well as against Mississippi Valley State earlier this month.
Devin Ree delivered a perfect shooting performance against Southern University by making all six shots from the floor—including five three-pointers—and added two blocks despite Jackson State’s loss.
The previous meeting between these teams saw Jackson State come from behind to win after a decisive three-pointer by Mitchell sealed their victory.
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