By: Mark Wasik
Saturday, January 4
5 p.m. – Kennesaw State (8-5, 0-0 CUSA) vs Jacksonville State (8-5, 0-0 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center (3,805)
TV: ESPN+ (Nolan Alexander, Jordan Griffitt, Jade Barkett)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
Game Notes: KSU Notes | Jax State Notes
Follow KSU Men's Basketball - X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State men's basketball makes history on Saturday afternoon as the Owls will play their first-ever Conference USA game against Jacksonville State at 5 p.m. in the Convocation Center. It's a Dark Mode game for the Owls, with all encouraged to wear black to the game while the first 500 fans will receive free T-shirts. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
A FEW NOTES
♦ While the Owls will be playing their first game in their new league, it will be facing a familiar face as the two teams were rivals in the Atlantic Sun during the Gamecocks' two years in that conference. The teams played each other four times as members of the ASUN, with Jax State winning both games in the 2021-22 season, including a home ASUN quarterfinal contest. KSU returned the favor a year later, claiming a two-point win on a last second basket on the road in Jacksonville, followed by a three-point home win two days later for a season sweep in 2022-23.
♦ KSU is 6-0 at home this year, and through its first 13 games, the Owls are 7-0 in the state of Georgia, 1-2 in Canada, and 0-3 in California.
♦ A huge difference for Kennesaw State this year is its work on the defensive side. A year ago, the Owls ranked 186th in field goal percentage defense at 186th and 263rd in three-point percentage defense. After the first 13 games in 2024-25, KSU has made a complete turnaround, ranking 73rd in the nation in field goal defense at 40.6%, which is also sixth in Conference USA. KSU is also 38th in the NCAA in three-point field goal defense, allowing its opponents to hit just 29.1% of its attempts from three-point range.
♦ Both teams have been strong on the boards this year, as KSU is sixth in the nation in rebounding (43.6 rpg), while Jax State in 10th in rebound margin at +11.0.
