Hoops Preview - Jackson State

Back on a winning note, the Washington Huskies return to the hardwood to face off against the Tigers of Jackson State. The game will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. PST at Alaska Airlines Arena. It will be aired live on the Pac-12 Network.

For a Washington team that has had their ups and down’s this season, the abysmal Jackson State side will be a welcome sight. Starting off the season 0-7, Jackson State, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, has only kept the final score within 10 twice and had a humiliating defeat 120-67 against Saint Mary’s on Dec. 11.

Following up a 7-24 season, the Tigers aren’t without talent with Mississippi transfer Dundrecous Nelson leading the way. Having only played in three games thus far, the 6-foot junior guard has averaged 17 points a game on just 33 percent shooting. The Jackson native has also averaged an assist. While not a threat from outside, Nelson can dribble penetrate with the best of them and can finish once he gets there. He will pose a threat for the big guards Washington displays.

Also in the backcourt will be redshirt sophomore guard Kelsey Howard. Not much of a high percentage shooter also, the Mississippi native still manages 14.7 points a game on 41 percent shooting. He also pulls in 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game.

Continuing a trend, Chrisitan Williams will not strike fear into the Huskies with his outside shooting. At 39 percent, the 6-foot-1 senior from California averages 13.6 points game and 1.9 steals.

The fourth member of the guard group, Derrell Taylor, is the best shooter on the team. Although he averages just 6.3 points a game, the 6-foot-5 sophomore shoot 47 percent from the field. He also averages 4.2 boards a contest.

The big man down low, Raymond Gregory, is an imposing 6-foot-9, 255 pound senior. Averaging just 1.7 points a game, the New Jersey native is playing 10.3 minutes a game with 2.8 rebounds per contest. In those brief minutes, he’s averaging two fouls a game.

Expect Jackson State to go small more often than not, with three players 6-foot-7 or over averaging a total of just 32 minutes a game.

At the helm of potentially the worst team in D-I basketball is Tevester Anderson. Having compiled a 138-152 record at Jackson State since 2003, the Mississippi native has managed to make one NCAA tournament run during the 2006-07 season. Previously, he was the head coach at Murray State.