MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team will take part in a four-team tournament at home with a return trip to Auburn highlighting the program's non-conference schedule released on Friday.
The Jaguars will take part in the Goldie and Herman Ungar Memorial Tournament at the Mitchell Center the opening week of the season, playing three games in five days beginning with a 6 p.m. (CST) match-up against Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, Nov. 25. South will also play Mobile on Friday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. and Jacksonville State at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29 in the event.
A four-game homestand to begin the year will end against Emmanuel (Ga.) on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
The Jags' first road game of the year will feature a trip to Auburn on Friday, Dec. 4 as the two teams conclude a three-game series with the match-up.
South will also play host to William Carey on Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Flagler (Fla.) on Wednesday, Dec. 16 — both contests are set to tip off at 6 p.m. — while travelling to face Southern Mississippi (Saturday, Dec. 12) and Alabama A&M (Saturday, Dec. 19) prior to Christmas Break.
"Putting our schedule together during this climate was very challenging." explained Jaguar head coach Richie Riley, who is entering his third season in charge of the program. "We tried our best to take a regional approach to reduce travel and we're hopeful that will help us to get all of our games in. Though this season will present obstacles that we've never seen before, we are excited to be back on the court representing Jag Nation."
It was also announced that South's weekday home games in Sun Belt Conference action will get underway at 6 p.m., with Saturday contests tipping at 4 p.m. The Jaguars' first league home games come against Appalachian State on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 15-16, with Georgia Southern set to visit the Mitchell Center on Jan. 22-23. USA will play three games in a row at home to open the final month of the regular season, taking on Coastal Carolina Feb. 5-6 as well as rival Troy on Thursday, Feb. 11, with Georgia State the opponent the final weekend before the league tournament on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 26-27.
The conference office announced at the end of last month that Sun Belt play this winter will only be within divisions during the regular season.
"While our conference schedule is not ideal in terms of getting the opportunity to play everyone, it is the schedule that gives our league the best chance to play," Riley said. "The intent of the schedule is to minimize travel as much as possible. Schedules have been analyzed and adjusted more than ever before, but at the end of the day you line up and play. Our focus is to be our absolute best no matter when, where, or who we are playing."
South ended the 2019-20 season on an eight-game winning streak, earning the second seed at the SBC tournament — which would be cancelled to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic — after finishing with a 20-11 overall record.
The South Alabama Athletics Ticket Office concludes a distancing seat selection event this week for season-ticket holders, limited single-game tickets may be available for sale each home game. All seats, lower and upper bowl, will be reserved seating for the 2020-21 season. Check usajaguars.com/tickets for future updates on availability of single-game tickets.
Student tickets will be allocated through the North entry of the Mitchell Center on game day and are first come, first serve until the entire allocation is taken. A student ID is required to obtain a student ticket.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to the South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give
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