When SWAC rivals Jackson State and Grambling State square off in a late regular-season matchup next week, the game will be a historic one.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be featured as part of a special double-header broadcast on NBA TV Monday. The women’s game will tip at 2 p.m. and the men’s contest follows at 4:30 p.m. Each game will be played at Jackson State’s Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.
The broadcast is significant as it is the first-ever college games carried on the network.
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The historical feat aside, the games also are important as far as league standings are concerned.
Jackson State (6-5, 6-0 SWAC) is currently tied with Prairie View for first place on the men’s side. Grambling State (9-9, 7-4 SWAC), still has an outside shot to move up with a win and some help.
The women’s game also has much on the line in terms of SWAC positioning. Jackson State (9-5, 8-1 SWAC) has won its last seven, and are just percentage points behind Alabama State for first place. Grambling State, (8-6, 7-3 SWAC) coming off wins versus Alcorn State and Texas Southern, is only two games in back of JSU in the loss column for second place.