NCAA Previews: Recognize the Jackson State Tigers

Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Record: 21-13, 12-6 in conference
RPI: 184
How They Got In: Automatic bid (conference tournament champs)
Seed/Bracket: 16 / Midwest

Mascot: "The Blue Bengals." Since our image provider has no photos of the Jackson State basketball team available, please enjoy this photo of a Chinese man balancing a basketball on a paintbrush.

Big Win(s): 100-97 win over UTEP.

Notable Loss(es): Destroyed by the three ranked teams they played; lost 96-65 to #12 Alabama, 100-70 to #21 Georgia Tech, and 111-69 to #13 Memphis.

Player You Should Know: Look for the jersey with #24 on it. 6' 5" guard Trey Johnson should have the ball in his hands most of the night. He plays 37.8 minutes per game and is responsible for an average of 27.1 points per game. No other player on the team averages in double figures. He is 90% of the Tigers' offense.

Outlook: Grim, brief, and painful. When you're a #16 seed matched up with the tournament's overall #1 seed, the defending national champion Florida Gators, you know you're the last team in. The Tigers give up size, speed, talent, and athleticism at every position. However, making the field is a huge accomplishment for "Mississippi's Urban University."