Mo Williams brings his Jackson State Tigers back to the Fertitta Center for the opening night of the 2024-2025 basketball season. Jackson State returns 18ppg from last season’s team that lost to the Coogs 89-55 on December 9, 2023.

Jackson State Outlook

Ken Evans Jr. (19ppg in 2023-24) transferred to Florida Atlantic in the offseason, so the Tigers must replace his scoring. The guy I expect to do so is former McDonald’s All-American and Ole Miss transfer Daeshun Ruffin, who is my first “Head of the Snake.” That said, Ruffin did not dress out in the Tigers exhibition game against Southern Miss and did not play last season, so I’m not 100% positive that he will play Monday night.

Last year, the Tigers were pretty solid. They played an incredibly difficult schedule and had some close games with several Power 5 programs. As I predicted, they were an incredibly “chippy” team. In the game at Fertitta Center, Evans was ejected after two technicals, and another player received a technical.

Jackson State’s only returning contributors are Jayme Mitchell and Keiveon Hunt, so I don’t know what their identity will be this season. I expect a Mo Williams team to be gritty and play hard, but I’m not sure they will be as talented as last season. Playing the Coogs first will likely be a very tough match-up. Having a McDonald’s All-American will certainly help (if he plays), but the Coogs will be too much for them in this one.

Personnel Report (Probable Starters Indicated with *)

Last season, Mo Williams changed his starting lineup in almost every game; 12 players started a game. He was also a threat not to play key players throughout the season for numerous reasons. Soooo…who knows? But let’s get into the Tigers roster!

*#24 Daeshun Ruffin – 5’11” JR. – Guard (Ole Miss)

• Former McDonald’s All-American;
• Did not dress out in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss on 10-28-24;
• Suffered two season-ending knee injuries at Ole Miss. Missed last season and most of the two prior seasons;
• Averaged 13ppg as a freshman at Ole Miss through 14 games and 10ppg as a sophomore through 9 games;
• Solid but not great outside shooter (is capable); Will look to drive and make plays in the paint;
• Will be interesting to see how he bounces back after not playing for almost 2 years.

*#3 Jayme Mitchell Jr. – 6’5″ RS SO. – Guard/Forward (Alabama State)

• Spells Jayme “The Right Way”;
• Solid three-point shooter;
• Scored 9 points vs. the Coogs last season in 19 minutes; Shot 2/4 from behind the arc;
• Had 14 points and five rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

*#7 Shannon Grant – 6’11” GR SR. – Center (Florida A&M/Mercer)

• BIG Body post player;
• Averaged 10ppg and 4rpg last season at Florida A&M;
• Solid around the basket;
• Had 6 points and three rebounds in the exhibition game vs. Southern Miss.

*#2 Jalen Tatum – 6’4″ JR. – Guard (Holmes CC)

• Averaged 15ppg and 6rpg in JUCO last season;
• Not a great outside shooter; Best when able to get into the paint;
• Had 15 points and nine rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

*#5 Keiveon Hunt – 5’10” JR. – Guard

• Scored 6 points vs the Coogs last year (all from the FT Line);
• Averaged 5ppg and 1rpg last season;
• Not a great outside shooter (is capable); Keep him out of the paint, as he is looking to draw fouls;
• Had 7 points and two rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#1 Dorian McMillian – 6’3″ FR. – Guard

• True freshman;
• Capable three-point shooter;
• Had 9 points and two rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss; Led the team in minutes in the game.

#20 Juan Reyna III – 6’3″ RS SR. – Guard (UTSA/Campbell/Alabama State)

• Lefty;
• World Traveler. On his 4th college team;
• Sat out last season at UTSA;
• Volume shooter. He is looking to bring an offensive spark when he is in the game;
• Solid three-point shooter; Capable of scoring at all three levels;
• Had 20 points and two rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss; Shot 5/9 from behind the arc.

#21 Marcus Watson Jr. – 5’10” JR. – Guard (Mineral Area CC/Western Illinois)

• Athletic point guard;
• Averaged 11ppg, 5rpg, and 5 apg in JUCO last season;
• Will look to get his teammates offensive opportunities;
• Had 6 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#14 Dylan Canoville – 6’5″ JR. – Forward (Southeastern Louisiana)

• Athletic big-bodied guard;
• Was a third-team JUCO All-American two years ago;
• Probably not going to be a major offensive threat; Most likely to score off of a put-back or a fast break basket;
• Had 0 points and two rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#55 Cowandric Samuel – 6’4″ Sr. – Guard/Forward (Copiah-Lincoln CC)

• Averaged 12ppg and 5rpg in JUCO last season;
• Solid three-point shooter;
• Had 3 points and three rebounds in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#30 David McDaniel – 6’8″ JR. – Forward

• Returner for Jackson State;
• Not likely to play much.

#10 Ebo Wilson – 6’10” FR. – Center

• BIG body post player;
• True Freshman;
• Not likely to play many minutes;
• Did not play in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#12 Delyle Williams – 6’3″ SO. – Guard

• Returner for Jackson State;
• Not likely to play many minutes;
• Did not play in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#13 Romelle Mansel – 6’9″ GR SR. – Forward (Long Beach State)

• Averaged 5ppg and 2rpg last season for Jackson State before a season-ending injury;
• Did not play in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

#15- Avaughn Johnson – 6’6″ JR. – Forward (Copiah-Lincoln CC)

• Averaged 11ppg in JUCO last season;
• Really good three-point shooter; Shot 38% last season at Co-Lin CC;
• Did not play in the exhibition game vs Southern Miss.

Keys to Victory

1. Dominate on both ends of the court.
2. Look to get JoJo Tugler involved early and often on offense. It should be a good game for him to work on his offense.
3. Get Milos Uzan in the paint and let him use his creativity to open up the offense to score and to get his shooters open shots;
4. Get the bench guys in early and allow them to get comfortable playing against someone other than each other.