Get to know the Tigers of Jackson State University, Kentucky's next opponent

Kentucky Basketball hosts Jackson State University tonight in the fifth game of the Mark Pope era. JSU has been winless so far this year, so another fun night for the Wildcats is expected at Rupp Arena. Before the game begins, here’s a brief background of Jackson State, the next opponent on UK’s schedule.

Jackson State University Things To Know

• Founded in 1877 as Natchez Seminary, Jackson State University is now one of the largest historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, with an enrollment of around 7,000.
• JSU is located in Jackson, Mississippi, the capital and most populous city in Mississippi.
• Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton, Jackie Slater, Jimmy Smith and Lem Barney played at JSU. Another Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, coached JSU from 2020-22.
• JSU’s marching band is so popular that it has its own nickname, the “Sonic Boom of the South.”

Jackson State is 0-5

JSU is in the midst of a 10-day road trip, a journey that began last Saturday at Vanderbilt and then hit Western Kentucky on Wednesday night before tonight’s game in Lexington. The tour will stop in Lipscomb on its way back to Jackson on Sunday.

So far, the road hasn’t been kind to the Tigers. Jackson State is winless through five games, beginning with a 57-point loss at Houston through a loss to the Hilltoppers two nights ago.

• @ #4 Houston – L (97-40) – Nov. 4
• @ High Point – L (80-71) – Nov. 9
• @ Xavier – L (94-57) – Nov. 12
• @ Vanderbilt – L (94-81) – Nov. 16
• @ Western Kentucky – L (79-62) – Nov. 20

A different leading scorer in the first five games

Five different Tigers have led JSU in scoring through the first games of the season. Jalen Tatum scored 14 at Houston, Romelle Mansel had 22 at High Point, Jayme Mitchell Jr. scored 26 at Xavier, Shannon Grant had 16 at Vanderbilt, and Tamarion Hoover was the high scorer off the bench at Western with 16.

Jackson State was picked fourth in the SWAC

Before the season, Jackson State was picked fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote at SWAC Media Days.

1. Grambling State- 212 (10)
2. Texas Southern- 200 (3)
3. Southern- 160 (1)
4. Jackson State- 153 (1)
5. Alcorn State- 144 (1)
6. Alabama State- 122 (1)
7. Prairie View A&M- 121 (1)
8. Bethune-Cookman- 109 (2)
9. Alabama A&M- 106
10. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 70
11. Florida A&M- 63
12. Mississippi Valley State- 32

Additionally, center Shannon Grant, a transfer from Florida A&M, was named First Team Preseason All-Conference. Grant averaged 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Rattlers last season.

Head coach Mo Williams (yes, that Mo Williams)

Former NBA journeyman Mo Williams leads Jackson State, now in his third season as the head coach of the JSU Tigers. Williams is a former NBA All-Star and 2016 champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 6-1 playmaking guard also played for the Jazz, Bucks, Clippers, Blazers, Wolves, and Hornets.

Kentucky and Jackson State playing for the first time

This is the first-ever meeting between Kentucky and Jackson State, so bragging rights are on the line in Rupp Arena.

UK’s second game in the BBN Invitational

Friday’s game is Kentucky’s second in the round-robin BBN Invitational with Jackson State, Lipscomb, and Western Kentucky.