ASU is in an area where they have not been in a while and that is starting the Southwestern Athletic Conference season with only one win in their first six conference games.
 
"This is a place we have not been around here with the slow start," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said.  "I think we can still get it turned around, but we will need to work on our patience and poise late in the games.  The guys are very competitive and we are playing hard we just don't close games like we should."
 
The Hornets (6-12/1-5) enter the game trying to break a three-game losing streak.  All of the games have been close just like Saturday's four-point loss at Southern was.
 
ASU's five conference losses have been by a total of 23 points, or just over four points per loss.  That includes two overtime losses.
 
Jamel Waters had 22 points against Southern for his third 20-point game of the season.  Tony Armstrong scored 12 points despite only playing 26 minutes due to foul trouble.  Corvon Butler had 11 points.
 
Those three players just happen to also lead the team in scoring with Waters' 14.8 points per game leading the way.  Armstrong averages 12.9 and Butler is at 9.6.
 
Alcorn State (7-11/5-2) enters the game winners of three straight after Saturday's 63-58 win over Alabama A&M and are one of the surprise teams in the conference.  They have already won as many games as they did in conference play last season after only seven games.
 
Octavius Brown is the team's leading scorer averaging over 14 points per game.  The redshirt senior is also one of the top rebounders in the league averaging 7.2 per game.
 
Overall the Braves are scoring 65.8 points per game and like the Hornets, have struggled shooting the ball from the field at times this season.  They have made a living on forcing turnovers where they have forced over 230 this season.
 
"Like all road games in the SWAC Alcorn is a tough place to play," Jackson said.  "They always have a great crowd when we come to town and that place gets loud.  We are expecting another tough game and it will be even tougher because they are such an improved team and playing as well as anyone in the conference."
 
The game can be heard live on the ASU Hornets Sports Network.  Check with Game Day Central for all the listening options for the game.