By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a week off from live game action, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team will return to the hardwood floors of the Eblen Center Saturday evening, joining the Tech women's squad in hosting a doubleheader against Jacksonville State.
After a 5:30 p.m. CST tip for the women's contest, the Golden Eagle men's team will kick off its first action in over seven days with an approximate start of 7:30 p.m. Tech faces the Gamecocks for the first time this season, but what will also be the first of two appearances against Jax State in the next three games.
Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night is being held during the two games in recognition of the men and women who give the gift of Freedom to all Americans and keep us safe every day. Tech invites all military personnel, both active and retired, as well as persons working in law enforcement, emergency and first responder fields, to be guests at the game along with their immediate family members. The offer is available by showing proper identification, and tickets can be obtained either in advance or at the game.
The doubleheader will also act as Communiversity Night for Tech Athletics. For Communiversity Night, each Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce member is offered up to eight free tickets to the game. For additional information on Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night or Communiversity Night, please call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940.
Tennessee Tech (10-13, 2-8) vs. Jacksonville State (9-16, 2-8)
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015
7:30 p.m. CST
Eblen Center (9,250) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: None
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: Golden Eagle Sports Network on the OVC Digital Network (Dylan Vazzano)
SETTING THE STAGE
Not a very long series, Tech owns a 17-10 advantage all-time against Jax State. The Golden Eagles have won each of the past three contests against the Gamecocks, including two 12-point victories last season.
Jacksonville State represents the final Ohio Valley Conference opponent that Tech will face for the first time in 2015, bringing along a team known for athletic guards an ability to get to the bucket.
Senior Darion Rackley leads the team, both in scoring and free throw attempts, a tribute the team's playing style. Rackley has made 165 trips to the charity stripe this season, knocking down 74.5 percent of them on his way to averaging 14.9 points per game.
D.J. Felder acts as the team's top big man, averaging 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He also has help down low from Jeremy Watson, who tallies 5.6 boards per game, and from Jamal Hunter, who grabs 5.2 rebounds and leads the team with 42 blocks.
As a team, the Gamecocks like to chuck the rock from beyond the arc, attempting nearly 500 3-pointers this season. The squad shoots just 29 percent from downtown, and averages 62.4 points per game. Defensively, Jax State is holding its opponents to just 68.6 points per game while forcing nearly 13 turnovers.
The Golden Eagles boast three double-digit scorers on offense and are led on the court by junior Charles Jackson. The big man tops Tech in scoring with 13.2 points per game, rebounding with 9.0 per game, field goal percentage at 59 percent, steals with 23 and blocks with 30. He has tallied 14 double-doubles this season alone, ranking in the top three in the country in the category.
Also scoring in double figures are senior forward Dwan Caldwell and junior guard Torrance Rowe. A Los Angeles native, Caldwell is posting 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while hitting on 73 percent of his free throw attempts. Rowe averages 10.9 points and has dished out 52 assists. He also leads the team in minutes per game at 28.4.
The Tech squad finds ways to score, averaging 69.8 points per game while holding opponents to 68.3 points. Tech also presents one of the best rebounding units in the league, pulling down 36.9 per contest.
Photo by Jim Dillon
