The teams split during the regular season with the Jags defeating the Hornets 73-69 back in January.
 
"We know what to expect and that is another tough game from Southern," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said.  "At this point in the season both teams know each other and what each other does. I'm sure they will tweak a few things, but we mostly know what they will try to do."
 
The teams actually enter tourney play going in different directions.  Even though the Jags (19-12) are the fourth seed, the Jags have dropped four of their last five games which started with the loss at ASU.
 
On the other hand ASU (14-16) started the conference season dropping seven of their first eight games, but have rebounded to win eight of their last 10 games.
 
"We are playing much better right now," Jackson said.  "Defensively we are playing a lot better and offensively we are finding a way to score even when we aren't shooting our best."
 
To say ASU is playing better defense is an understatement.  During the present streak of eight wins in the last 10 games, ASU is only allowing the opposition 68 points per game.
 
Offensively ASU continues to be paced by First Team All-SWAC honoree Jamel Waters.  The senior from Birmingham has saved his best season for his last.  He is averaging a career-best 15.8 points per games.  In the Hornets final regular season game, Waters scored his 1,500^th career point becoming only the 14^th player in ASU history to reach that milestone.
 
Redshirt junior Tony Armstrong missed the team's last two games due to an injury he suffered at Texas Southern.  He has been working to get back on the court and has been seeing some practice time with the game only a day away.  He is averaging almost 12 points and six rebounds per game.
 
Corvon Butler is averaging 10 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game while Torloft Thomas (8.1) and Terrance LeFlore (6.4) are the other starters.
 
Southern will be led by another First Team All SWAC player in Adrian Rodgers.  The senior from Atlanta, was second in the conference averaging 16.8 points per game.
 
Rodgers has some offensive help as Trelun Banks averages over 12 points per game and Shawn Prudhomme and Jared Sam are averaging 10.
 
The game can be listened to on the ASU Hornets Sports Network along with YO! 100.5 FM.  Check Game Day Central at bamastatesports.com for all the listening and viewing options.