The Hornets have not played since an 80-78 win over Auburn Montgomery back on Dec. 3.  ASU took several days off while going through final exams. Sunday's game will be the first of four consecutive road games leading into the Christmas break.
 
AS the Hornets creep closer and closer to conference play there are still several areas the ASU coaching staff are working on for improvement before the first of the year.
 
"We are not a very good defensive team," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said.  "We don't do a good job with our man-to-man defense and that is what we have been known for around here for years.  If we are going to succeed we have to get back to defending the man in front of us."
 
ASU's opposition has hit 52 percent of its field goals as the Hornets are giving up 78 points per game.  ASU is also allowing the opposition to knock down 39 percent of its three point attempts.
 
Another problem in the pre-conference games is the amount of rebounds the Hornets are allowing.  ASU is being out rebounded by over eight rebounds per game with many of those coming on the offensive end.
 
"With the four-guard rotation we are playing we are undersized at every position," Jackson said.  "It means we are going to need to work even harder in boxing out and being aggressive going after rebounds.  We have not done very well at that so it is something we are putting a lot of emphasis on."
 
The Hornets and Gamecocks have met on the hard court 10 times with JSU holding a 6-4 edge in the series, but the past two years have seen the Hornets win the past two contests.
 
Keep up with the game through Game Day Central which will be available at bamastatesports.com.