OUTLOOK First round: Lost to Arizona, 71-47
I can sum up Jackson State in two words: hungry and tenacious. The Tigers just refuse to lose; that was their mentality in the SWAC tournament final against Southern.
Center Vincent Jones is an incredible talent who reminds me of Kevin Garnett. Jones, a 7-footer, can shoot with either hand and hit sky hooks and jumpers. Aside from Jones, Jackson State is a team of role players. One of them, Marino Walker, was the Tigers' hero against Southern. Although he comes off the bench, Walker is their defensive specialist and the player who lifts them emotionally and gives them stability on the court.
But Jones is the key. He has a very slight build, has long arms and is a phenomenal shot blocker. Although the Tigers face top-seeded Arizona in the first round, it will help Jackson State that Jones will be able to operate in the middle without Loren Woods, who remains out with a back injury. The Tigers are a very inside and post-oriented team. If Arizona doesn't have an inside presence, that certainly works in Jackson State's favor.
The Tigers like an uptempo style of game. They prefer to get out and run, scoring in transition instead of relying on their halfcourt game. Jones may be a force inside, but he can easily be pushed around. It will be critical for Jones to not get fatigued early on against Arizona. -- Fran Harris, ESPN
ROSTER
PROBABLE STARTERS |
F -- Donte Carson (6-11, Fr., 1.4, 1.0, 0.0)
F -- Cliff Walker (6-5, Fr., 2.2, 2.3, 0.4)
C -- Vincent Jones (6-11, Sr., 13.3, 7.4, 0.6)
G -- Perry Fletcher (6-5, So., 0.8, 0.9, 0.2)
G -- Lawrence Myers (5-11, So., 1.7, 1.4, 3.0)
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TOP RESERVES |
G -- Timmy Marks (6-2, Sr., 12.2, 3.3, 1.8)
F -- Deon Burns (6-6, Sr., 9.3, 7.6, 1.0)
G -- Roy Dixon (5-9, Fr., 9.0, 2.0, 1.0)
F -- Richard Bradley (6-4, So., 9.0, 6.1, 0.7)
C -- Darren Robinson (7-0, Sr., 3.7, 2.9, 0.5)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 16, West, Automatic
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 2
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-1 (.000)
Final Four Appearances: 0
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: First round (1997)
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: NR
Final Associated Press ranking: NR
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 220
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 250
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS
Record vs. teams that have been ranked this season: 0-0
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Overall Record: 0-1 (.000)
1997--Sixteenth seed in Southeast Region
Lost to Kansas in first round, 78-64
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