Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – After extended time off for exams, the University of South Alabama men's basketball team returns to the court Monday night to take on Southern Miss at the Mitchell Center.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Fans can follow the action via live stats on USAJaguars.com, Twitter at @SouthAlaMBK, audio on 710 AM or www.iheart.com/live/newsradio-710-wntm-1, or video on JagNationTV.com.

Monday will mark nine days since the Jaguars (3-5) last took the court in a 68-55 loss at Middle Tennessee.

"I think the break has been really good," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "It's given us a chance to reevaluate some things that we're doing offensive and defensively. It's allowed a couple of guys to get healed up a little bit. We have a three-game mini-season before we head into Christmas break and the conference season, so I'm looking forward to it."

The Jaguar defense has been turning up the pressure of late, forcing 19.3 turnovers with 10.3 steals in their last three outings. Spring Hill had 21 miscues – the most by a USA opponent this year – on Nov. 30 and the Jags racked up 12 steals at Middle Tennessee, the highest total by a Graves-coached team.

"I think our defense is starting to evolve a little bit," Graves said. "Guys are starting to get more comfortable with what we're wanting to do. We're extending the floor and using our athleticism to press a little bit, mixing in some zone. It's just guys playing harder and getting more comfortable within the system and what we're trying to do as a team.

"One thing with the steals and creating turnovers though, is we've got to do a better job of converting on the other end. We're not converting at a high-enough rate when we're turning the other team over. We need to turn those turnovers into points. We need to keep guarding and working on that, but we also have to figure out a way to be more efficient with our offensive possessions.

Southern Miss (1-6) opened the year with six consecutive losses before breaking the skid last Monday with a 74-62 home win over North Dakota State.

"There is certainly a lot of pride within their program and I know Coach (Doc) Sadler does a phenomenal job," Graves said. "He's going to think of ways to put his team in positions where they'll be successful.  The last couple of games they've switched up a few things are playing more of a four-guard lineup. They're able to get out, shoot the '3' and create some mismatches on the defensive end of the floor. It makes is difficult to guard."

USM ranks last in Conference USA in scoring offense (60.1 ppg) and 13th in field goal percentage (.376), but are tied for second in 3-pointers (8.0 pg) and fourth in 3-point percentage (.341). The Golden Eagles have three players in double-digit 3s, with leading scorer Khari Price (10.6 ppg) recording a team-high tying 12 on the year.

"They have multiple guys that play on the perimeter and their post presence isn't great," Graves said. "They're able to spread you out and drive and kick, and create long close-outs which is really difficult to guard. If you let them get comfortable and make some 3s, we'll be in for a long night. We have to do a great job of not allowing penetration and getting our close-outs."

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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