Showdown in Albuquerque: Jacksonville State Gamecocks to Face New Mexico Lobos at The Pit
As the Jacksonville State Gamecocks prepare to face off against the New Mexico Lobos at The Pit in Albuquerque, fans are buzzing with anticipation. Coming off a commanding 78-53 victory over Elon on November 23, the Gamecocks have shown they can dominate on their home court. However, it's time to see if they can carry that momentum into an away game setting.
In their last outing, the Gamecocks' offense was firing on all cylinders. They shot an impressive 50 percent from the field and an even more remarkable 43 percent from beyond the arc. Their defense wasn't too shabby either, holding Elon to just 32 percent shooting and forcing 12 turnovers. With a rebounding advantage of 40-27 and a balanced attack that saw points coming from both inside and outside, JVST showed they could control both ends of the floor.
However, it's not all sunshine for JVST fans; there are areas that need tightening up before facing UNM. In their previous game against Alabama on November 19, JVST struggled defensively as they allowed a staggering 104 points against them. This defensive lapse is something they cannot afford against UNM if they wish to come out victorious.
The Lobos will be no easy opponent; with home-court advantage and a crowd known for its energy at The Pit, JVST will need to bring their A-game. One key factor could be how well JVST manages turnovers after giving up possession 17 times in their win over Elon.
Looking back at another past performance by JVST against UIC Flames on November 15 where they lost by seven points despite putting up strong numbers in paint scoring and fast break points suggests inconsistency has been an issue for this team early in the season.
As we approach game day, it's clear that if Jacksonville State can replicate their shooting performance from November 23 while shoring up their defense and controlling turnovers better than in past games, they stand a good chance of overcoming UNM's challenge.
The upcoming battle is scheduled for November 26th at The Pit in Albuquerque with tip-off set for prime time viewing under bright lights sure to add extra excitement for players and fans alike. For those unable to attend in person, you won't have to miss any action as you can catch live coverage via MW Network online broadcasts.