Struggling JUCO Programs Clash as Southwest Tennessee Hosts Pellissippi State

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Southwest Tennessee Saluquis host the Pellissippi State Panthers.

The game, scheduled for Jan. 17, 2026, features programs with a combined 4-20 record across all competitions this season. Southwest Tennessee (1-8) enters after a 91-70 road loss to Columbia State on Wednesday. Pellissippi State (3-12) snapped a skid with a 78-68 home victory over Volunteer State on Jan. 10.

Southwest Tennessee will lean on standout forward Jeremiah Hayes, who has posted consecutive double-doubles. In the loss to Columbia State, Hayes logged 38 minutes, scoring 15 points with 13 rebounds and six assists. He was even more dominant in the Saluquis’ lone win this season, an 83-78 victory at Dyersburg State on Jan. 7, recording 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

Pellissippi State’s player to watch is Raza Majid, though his recent playing time has been limited. He played just one minute in a 110-59 loss at Walters State on Jan. 7. The Panthers’ offense will likely rely on the group that secured their recent win, where they shot 48% from the field.

Both teams have struggled defensively, with each surrendering an average of over 80 points per game. Pellissippi State’s losses include several lopsided defeats, such as a 110-84 setback at Wallace State and a 113-100 loss at Caldwell Tech. Southwest Tennessee’s defeats feature a similar pattern, including a 90-83 home loss to McCook and an 86-76 loss at Coahoma.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest is projected to be a high-scoring deadlock, with a predicted final score of 100-100.

This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools. They are scheduled to play again at Pellissippi State on Feb. 28.

For Southwest Tennessee, Abdoul Sacko (10 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks vs. Columbia State) and Christopher King (16 points, five assists) provided secondary scoring behind Hayes in their last outing. Pellissippi State will aim to build on the confidence from its win over Volunteer State after a stretch of nine losses in ten games prior.

Tip-off is set for Saturday at Southwest Tennessee’s campus arena.