Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – Just two days after a loss Saturday to Middle Tennessee, the University of South Alabama men's basketball team will take on city rival Spring Hill Monday night in the Mitchell Center.

Fans can listen to the game on 105.5 FM and WNSP.com or watch a live videostream on USA's Jaguars All-Access subscription service. Updates will also be provided via twitter at @SouthAlaMBK and live stats on USAJaguars.com.

The Jaguars and Badgers renew their rivalry Monday and will meet in the regular season for the first time since 2010-11.

"I really like the idea of it because I hope it continues to draw fan interest from the community," USA head coach Matthew Graves said of playing the other Mobile schools. "I think it's not only good for us to do that but I think Spring Hill enjoys it and I hope to have a lot of their alums and students there as well."

USA has won 11 straight games in the series, the third-longest active streak against any opponent.

The Badgers are winless on the season and are searching for their first win under new head coach Aaron Niven.

"They're a program that's transitioning into Division II and the one thing on film that we need to be great at tomorrow is defending their motion offense," Graves said. "They run a true motion offense setting back screens, flare screens and down screens so they'll test our discipline for the entire shot clock."

Monday's game will be the third time in the last 10 days the Jaguars will be playing on short rest between games. USA played three games in three days Nov. 22-24 and will be looking to rebound against Spring Hill after a 65-55 loss on Saturday.

"I think it gives your team an opportunity to get right back out on the court and work on some things you didn't do quite as well the day before," Graves noted.

South Alabama enters the contest with a 4-3 mark. The Jags held second-half leads in each of the three losses, but the defeats came to teams with a combined 18-3 record.

"I'm disappointed we have three losses because I think we were capable of winning those three games," Graves said. "I told our team that those games are ones that you can win. We need to continue to play teams of that caliber and as you look ahead to our schedule in December, we're going to continue to play really good teams. It will challenge us, but at the same time, it will prepare us for the conference schedule as well."

Freshman Aakim Saintil (Roselle, N.J.) set new career highs Saturday with 14 points and five steals. The five thefts match the most by a USA player in the last six seasons and he is second in the Sun Belt Conference in steals per contest (2.3). Saintil is averaging 11.5 points and 4.0 steals in his last two games.

"I'm really pleased with his progression over the last week and a half,'' Graves said. "It's not any different than what I said in the preseason, which was we have six freshmen that are going to continue to develop and learn at different rates; the lightbulb will go off at different times. It's certainly looking like Aakim is starting to figure some things out."

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).

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