MOBILE, Ala. – Six home games highlight the 2017-18 University of South Alabama men's basketball non-conference schedule released Wednesday.

Included are a contest against traditional rival Southern Miss, a trip to Texas Tech, and the first regular-season meeting with Tulane since 1974.

"I think we have very challenging non-conference schedule," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "We have a good mix of teams and styles of play, and teams that beat us last year that are returning games. We've got a lot to look forward to."

The Jaguars will host an exhibition against North Alabama on Nov. 3, then officially open the 2017-18 campaign a week later at Texas Tech in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2017 Tip-Off Tournament. The two programs last met in 1977.

After a home contest against Mobile on Nov. 13, the Jags continue play in the Naismith Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 16 at La Salle before moving on to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. for games against Maine on Nov. 18 and either Saint Peter's or Sacred Heart the day after.

"We're really excited to be a part of the Hall of Fame event," Graves commented. "We'll be in a situation where we're playing back-to-back games in Uncasville, and it simulates what you would see in the conference tournament. Being able to play a game one afternoon and turn around and prepare for one of two teams the next day will give us an insight into that process."

A Nov. 22 date with Stetson is next, then USA faces Southern Miss on Nov. 29. A road trip to former Sun Belt rival Florida International is Dec. 2, and South Alabama will make its first trip to Florida A&M on Dec. 11.

Eastern Illinois comes to Mobile on Dec. 16, as does Alabama A&M on Dec. 19, then the Jaguars close out their pre-Christmas schedule Dec. 21 at Tulane. The two schools met in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in 2012-13, but they have not faced each other in the regular season since Feb. 16, 1974.

"We really like that Tulane is on the schedule because it's an easy trip for us and a game against a higher-level conference," Graves said. "They should challenge us in multiple ways."

The final non-conference game of the year will be at home Jan. 9 against Trinity Baptist (Fla.).

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—