Game 26 • South Alabama Jaguars (17-8) (7-5) at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (13-11) (5-7)
February 17, 2022 • 6 p.m. (CST) • HTC Center • Conway, S.C.
 
THE COACHES

South Alabama        
Richie Riley (Eastern Kentucky, 2005)
Record at USA: 71-47 (4th year)
Overall Record: 106-75 (6th year)
Record vs. Coastal Carolina: 4-4
 
Coastal Carolina
Cliff Ellis (Florida State, 1968)
Record at Coastal Carolina: 277-200 (15th year)
Overall Record: 811-537
Record vs. South Alabama: 7-5

LAST GAME
South Alabama defeated Arkansas State 70-51 Saturday night at the Mitchell Center. Coastal Carolina took down Georgia Southern 79-58 at home on Saturday.

NEXT GAME
USA will stay on the road and play at App State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (CST).
 
ON THE AIR
Radio: Sports Talk 99.5: J.T. Crabtree (pxp), Joe McNulty (color)
Web: http://sportstalk995.iheart.com/listen (audio)
ESPN+ (Internet Streaming):

RANKINGS
USA: #129 Sagarin, NET #118
Coastal Carolina: #180 Sagarin, NET #161

THE SERIES
Overall: Coastal Carolina leads the series 8-6
Longest USA streak: 2
Longest Arkansas State streak: 3
Current Streak: USA - 2
First Meeting: 12/3/88, 88-65 W
Last Meeting: 2/6/21, 70-66 W

NOTES
- USA has won three of out of the last five matchups against Coastal Carolina, including the last two.
 
- Coastal Carolina's Cliff Ellis has a deep connection to South Alabama. Ellis was South's head coach from 1975-84 and is the second winningest head coach in Jag history with 171 wins.

- The first matchup between the two schools was canceled earlier this season due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols back on Jan. 8.
 
- Coastal Carolina's Ebrima Dibba leads the Sun Belt in assists, averaging 6.1 per game.
 
- With the 70-51 win over Arkansas State, Richie Riley has won at least 17 games in all four years as the head coach at USA.
 
- South limited Arkansas State to just 51 points, tying the lowest point total of the season for the Red Wolves.
 
- The Jags finished the first half 17-for-27 (63 percent) from the field against Arkansas State and have shot over 50 percent in the first half in back-to-back games.
 
- The Jaguars limited Arkansas State and Little Rock to under 51 points in both games on Thursday and Saturday.
 
- South is now 10-0 this season when shooting at least 50 percent in the first half.
 
- South Alabama improved to 12-1 at the Mitchell Center with the win over Arkansas State Saturday. The 12-1 record at home is the best start since the 2007-08 team finished the season 17-1 at home.
 
- USA is ranked 118th in the NET, the highest ranking among Sun Belt teams.
 
- The Jaguars are 13-1 this season when scoring at least 70 points.
 
- South is ranked 32nd in the NCAA in scoring defense, giving up just 63.0 points per game.
 
- The Jags lead the Sun Belt with 5.0 blocked shots per game and rank 27th nationally in blocks per game.
 
- South is ranked in the top 3 of the Sun Belt in scoring offense (73.4), scoring margin (10.3), turnover margin (2.9), field-goal percentage (46.5), field-goal percentage defense (40.3), blocked shots per game, free throw attempts (453), free throws made (317), three-point field goal defense (29.5) and turnovers forced (15.68) and turnovers per game (12.8).
 
- South Alabama features two of the top five scorers in the Sun Belt. Jay Jay Chandler is fourth, averaging 16.5 points per game and Charles Manning Jr. is fifth, averaging 16.3.
 
- USA is the only team in the Sun Belt to have multiple players win SBC POTW. Chandler and Manning Jr. both have won the weekly award once each this season.
 
- Chandler was named Sun Belt Player of the Week for his efforts in a split against Troy. He has scored 20 or more points in 10 games and has scored at least 10 points in 23 consecutive contests. The 23 straight games with 10 or more points are tied for third for the longest streak in the country.
 
- Javon Franklin is averaging 12.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds in Sun Belt action.
 
- Kayo Goncalves has hit at least one three-pointer in 13 straight games. Goncalves' 56 made three-pointers are the third best in the Sun Belt.
 
- Diante Smith knocked down a career-high four three-pointers versus Little Rock on Thursday.
 
- Lance Thomas tied a career-high with six rebounds and tied a career-best with two assists against Little Rock.
 
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).

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—USA—