The Teams: Tarleton Texans (8-8, 2-2 WAC) vs. Chicago State Cougars (4-14, Independent)
Where: Stephenville, Texas
Arena: Wisdom Gym
Day and Time: Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (Jeremy Bryant, Byron Anderson)
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Kyle Crews)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the third all-time meeting, with the previous two happening last season. Tarleton won both, 57-54 in Stephenville and 79-60 in Chicago. Billy Gillispie is 3-0 all-time against CSU.
• This is Chicago State's first season not in the WAC since originally joining in 2013.
• The Cougars are 0-14 on the road (19 straight road L's), but they've had close games recently. They lost by seven at Ball State after losing by just three at Minnesota in late December.
• A bright spot for CSU is offensive rebounding -- they average 11.8 per game, No. 76 in D1.

 
QUICK HITS

• Tarleton is a perfect 6-0 at home, their best start at home to a season since 2014-15, a year they began 11-0 in Stephenville. They also have eight straight home wins dating back to last season, their longest such stretch since Nov. 26, 2016, through Jan. 19, 2017. They haven't won nine straight in Stephenville since Nov. 28, 2015, through Jan. 27, 2016.
• This is Tarleton's final regular season non-conference game. The Texans can finish with a winning record in non-conference play (7-6) for the first time since becoming a Division I program.
• The injury bug hasn't been kind to Tarleton, who missed three of their top four scorers Saturday. Tarleton still almost had a 27-point comeback at the Bearkats, who is now 40th in the NCAA Net Rankings.
• Shamir Bogues had a career day in Tarleton's last game, scoring a career-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting (5-5 FT), adding a season-high nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. It was Bogues' second career 20+ point game, the other coming at No. 3 Kansas last season.
• Javontae Hopkins had his best game of the season Saturday, going for a season-high 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-3 3PT) and a career-high nine rebounds. It was his third 10+ point game of the year and his most points since pouring in 18 on Dec. 30, 2021 at Dixie State (now Utah Tech).
• The last four games for Tarleton have been decided by seven points or fewer (all WAC games).
• Tarleton outscored Sam Houston 44-31 in the second half. The Texans are averaging 38.9 points in second halves this season, 4.3 points more than they average in first halves (34.6).

 
WHO'S HOT

• Shamir Bogues – In addition to his efficient scoring day on Saturday, Bogues added two more steals to his season total, now at 31 on the year. He's averaging 1.9 steals per game, second most in the WAC, and an even higher average than his 1.8 SPG last yaer that netted him All-WAC Defense.
• Javontae Hopkins – In his 94th career game with Tarleton, Hopkins had his fourth highest scoring outing (16) on Saturday and set a new career-high with nine rebounds. He made 2-of-3 from distance, the third time over the past three seasons he's made multiple long balls.
• KiAndre Gaddy – Gaddy tied his career-high with eight rebounds on Saturday, adding six points, a steal and a block. Over his past four games he's averaged 6.0 rebounds per game, and is now third on the team for season average (3.7 RPG). He leads Tarleton with 10 blocks and 1.0 BPG.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
3: At the top of the WAC LEADERBOARD IN STEALS PER GAME, Tarleton has two of the first three, with Shamir Bogues second at 1.9 SPG and Jakorie Smith third at 1.8 SPG. As a team, the Texans rank tied-fifth in the nation in steals per game at 10.6. Missouri leads at 11.8 SPG.
  
42: Tarleton just pulled down 42 rebounds on Saturday, their SECOND MOST IN A GAME THIS YEAR as they outrebounded the Bearkats by 13. It was the first time this year that Tarleton has lost when outrebounding their opponent, now 6-1 in such games.
 
17: Sam Houston WENT TO THE FREE THROW LINE 17 more times than Tarleton did, despite the Texans entering Saturday's game fourth in the nation in free throw attempts per game. The Bearkats made 20-of-30, while Tarleton shot 10-of-13.
 
8: Tarleton is one of eight teams in the WAC at .500 OR BETTER TO START CONFERENCE PLAY entering Wednesday. Three teams are winless thus far; UTRGV, New Mexico State and UT Arlington..
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
It will be a quick chance for redemption for the Texans to avenge their New Year's Eve loss at Abilene Christian. The Wildcats will travel 90 miles down the road to Stephenville for a Saturday game at Wisdom Gym at 4 p.m. CT.