Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will close out its 2015-16 home schedule this week, starting with Louisiana-Monroe Thursday night at the Mitchell Center.

Tip-off 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.

Currently in a tie for sixth in the Sun Belt Conference, the Jaguars will attempt to clinch a spot in the Tournament against the second- and third-ranked teams in the league, starting with ULM, who is 11-5 and 15-12 overall.

"I'm excited that we're very much controlling our own destiny as far as the conference tournament goes," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "We've put ourselves in a really good position winning three of our last four, and certainly it was a big win on the road at Appalachian State. Our guys are playing with a good amount of confidence and we know Louisiana-Monroe is playing very well. We're going to have to fight and claw for every possession that's out there on Thursday."

South Alabama has won three of their last four outings and currently stand at 12-15 overall and 7-9 in conference play. The Jags are coming off a 75-71 win at Appalachian State behind 27 points from junior Ken Williams (Houston, Texas).

After playing four games in eight days, USA got a week break and will come into Thursday's contest fully rested.

"It's been really good to have a chance to get off our feet a little bit and get away from basketball for a couple of days," Graves stated. "It was nice to have a long weekend. It's a long season and anytime you have the opportunity to have three days off to recharge and heal your wounds and get refocused for this stretch run, it's good. It was a blessing in disguise the way the schedule worked out for us."

UL Monroe is the hottest team in the Sun Belt at the moment with a five-game win streak and nine victories in its last 10 outings. Four wins by double-digits preceded an overtime loss at Louisiana-Lafayette, and four of the five games in its current run have been by four points or fewer.

"UL Monroe is playing as well, or better, than anyone in our league right now," Graves said. "They're finding ways to win and you can get a sense that they're excited and ready to compete for a championship because they are winning close games and executing at a very high level offensively.

"Defensively, they do a great job of forcing you into contested shots. We have to really move the basketball, be patient, and value each possession."

The Warhawks are led by do-everything Majok Deng, who leads the team in scoring (19.3 ppg), rebounding (7.0 rpg), 3-pointers (48) and blocks (40). He had 15 of his 17 points in the second half in ULM's 10-68 victory over USA in Monroe earlier this season.

"With Deng, you have a guy that is certainly in the Sun Belt Player of the Year discussion, with Shawn Long and Josh Hagins; he's a top-three player in this league," Graves said. "He's having an outstanding season and he's a matchup nightmare because of his ability at 6-foot-10 to shoot 3s, rebound and get to the free-throw line. He's very difficult to guard."

Justin Roberson, who led all players with 23 points in the Jan. 23 meeting, is averaging 19.6 points in his last 11 games, eclipsing the 20-point mark nine times during that stretch.

"If we have a Sun Belt Most-Improved-Player award, Roberson would be a candidate for that," Graves noted. "He's had an outstanding senior season. What I really admire about how he plays is, he brings a great deal of toughness and grit to their team. He's added the ability to score the ball consistently to his game."

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—