If you were looking for a Jackson State game today, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, the court is actually quiet—but only for a second. The Tigers just finished a massive double-header at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center yesterday.
Honestly, if you weren't in Jackson on Saturday, you missed a classic SWAC grind. The men’s team is finally finding some rhythm after a brutal non-conference slate that would make most coaches lose sleep. Mo Williams has this group playing with a chip on their shoulder.
The Saturday Night Recap: Ruffin Takes Over
Yesterday, the Jackson State men’s squad took down Prairie View A&M in an 82-78 thriller. It wasn't always pretty, but it was effective. Daeshun Ruffin was basically a human highlight reel, dropping 23 points and dishing out 10 assists.
He also hit a personal milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point. That’s a big deal. You could feel the energy in the building when he crossed that threshold. The Tigers are now 3-1 in conference play, which is exactly where they need to be to stay in the hunt for a top seed come March.
The women’s team also took care of business, suffocating Prairie View 62-43. Their defense is legit. They held the Panthers to just 43 points, which is tough to do in modern college hoops.
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Jackson State Game Today: Why the Gap?
College basketball, especially in the SWAC, usually runs on a Saturday-Monday schedule. Today is the "travel and prep" day.
- Recovery: Players are hitting the cold tubs.
- Film: Coaches are breaking down Texas Southern.
- Rest: The Williams Assembly Center is getting cleaned up for the next wave.
The only "game" today involved the Men's Tennis team taking on LSU, a tough out-of-conference test to see where the program stands against high-level SEC talent.
Looking Ahead to Texas Southern
The real focus now shifts to Monday, Jan. 19. Texas Southern is coming to town. This isn't just another game; it's a battle for positioning in the SWAC standings. Texas Southern has historically been the benchmark in this conference, so beating them is a statement.
If the Tigers can sweep this homestand, they’ll have all the momentum heading into a road trip through Florida to face Bethune-Cookman and FAMU later this month.
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How the Tigers Stack Up Right Now
It’s easy to look at the overall record (4-13) and get discouraged. Don't do that.
Jackson State played a non-conference schedule that included No. 17 Illinois, No. 11 Louisville, and No. 20 Auburn. They were road warriors for two months. Now that they're in SWAC play, that "iron sharpens iron" philosophy is starting to pay off. They look faster and more physical than most teams they’re lining up against now.
Key Players to Watch
- Daeshun Ruffin: The engine. Everything goes through him.
- Dorian McMillian: The spark. He went 3-of-5 from deep yesterday.
- Dionjahe Thomas: The muscle. His 13 points against PVAMU were all high-percentage looks.
Actionable Steps for Tigers Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with the action, here is exactly what you should do to stay in the loop for the rest of the month.
Check the Monday Tip-off: The game against Texas Southern is set for 7:00 PM CST tomorrow. If you aren't at the Assembly Center, make sure your SWAC TV subscription is active.
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Follow the Track Team: It’s not just about basketball right now. The track and field program is in the middle of their indoor season. They just wrapped up the Samford Open in Birmingham and are looking strong heading into the heart of the winter.
Get Your Tickets Early: The January 31 game against Grambling State is already seeing high demand. That’s a rivalry game you don't want to try and buy at the door.
The Tigers are currently sitting near the top of the conference standings, and with the way Ruffin is playing, the "Jackson State game today" search is only going to get more popular as we get closer to the tournament.