SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State men's basketball team (19-12) plays its first game of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Pensacola Bay Center.
Entering the tournament as the No. 5 seed, the Bobcats will face the winner of the game between James Madison (18-14) and Southern Miss (16-15) on Thursday night.
Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and on the Varsity Sports Network with Clint Shields on the call. Live stats will also be available.
About Texas State
- Ended the regular season with a 60-57 victory over App State for the 16th home win of the season, a new program record.
- Finished in a six-way tie for second place in the standings for the program's highest finish since winning the regular season title in 2022.
- DJ Hall was named the Sun Belt's Freshman of the Year and to the all-conference second team. He is just the second Bobcat ever to earn freshman of the year honors.
- Hall leads Texas State with 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Has also recorded eight double-doubles, 71 assists and 43 steals.
- Senior Mark Drone is adding 14.0 ppg, has handed out 86 assists and totaled 30 steals.
- Kaden Gumbs leads the team with 94 assists and 59 steals while chipping in 8.7 ppg.
- Sophomore Franck Emmou has made as team leading 33 three-pointers.
About James Madison
- The Dukes opened the conference tournament with an 87-72 win over Louisiana on Wednesday.
- Have won seven of their last eight games heading into Thursday night's game.
- Justin McBride (15.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Cliff Davis (15.5 ppg, 98 made three-pointers) were both named to the All-Sun Belt Third Team.
- Bradley Douglas is added 11.9 ppg and has dished out 111 assists.
Series History vs. Dukes
- JMU leads the all-time series 3-2.
- Dukes won the regular season meeting 82-57 in Harrisonburg back on Jan. 24.
- Once before the teams met in the Sun Belt Tournament that ended with a 73-68 victory for JMU in the 2024 semifinals.
About Southern Miss
- Finished the regular season winning three of its last four games including a 68-55 contest at South Alabama last Friday.
- Are 6-12 when playing away from home and have gone 2-1 in neutral site games.
- Tylik Weeks is averaging 18.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 47.0% from the field and 81.1% at the free throw line on his way to earning all-conference first team accolades.
- Djahi Binet nearly puts up a double-double per contest with 11.4 ppg and 8.2 rpg.
- Three-point threats are Curt Lewis (50), Izzy Hart (38) and Chiante Tramble (23).
Series History vs. Golden Eagles
- USM leads the all-time series 5-4.
- The teams split the two regular season meetings with the home team winning each time.
- Once before the teams met in the Sun Belt Tournament. That came in 2024 with the Bobcats winning 75-59 in the second round.
Stay up to date on everything Texas State men's basketball by following the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
