MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama men's basketball will travel to Jacksonville State for an in-state showdown on Wednesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. 

Last Time Out

• South Alabama overcame a slow start before locking in defensively and riding a dominant shooting afternoon from Adam Olsen to finish off a 72–62 win over Coppin State, capping a 2–0 trip to the Showdown in St. Pete.

•  The Jags improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2016-17 and hold the best start during Riley's time as head coach. 

• Olsen had an unconscious shooting performance, scoring 25 points while shooting 9-for-12 from the field with six three pointers, four steals, three assists, and three rebounds.

• With Coppin pulling within five at the nine-minute mark, Olsen delivered a dagger with a catch-and-shoot-and-one three, to restore a 55–47 lead.

• South Alabama closed the game in control, outscoring Coppin 39–34 after halftime and finishing the morning 9-for-27 from three while committing just 9 turnovers. 

Scouting the Gamecocks

• Mostapha El Moutaouakkil leads all of NCAA Division I in points per game this season with 26.7 points per contest this season. El Moutouakkil tallied 33 against Coastal Carolina.

• The Gamecocks are led by head coach Ray Harper who is entering 27th season coaching. 

• Jax State is currently 3-0 on the season, averaging 101.7 points per game while limiting its opponents to 56.3 points per game.

Notes You Need to Know 

• After defeating Coppin State in the final game of the Showdown in St. Pete, South Alabama improved to 5–0—tying the best start to a season in program history and moving within one win of setting a new all-time mark. The Jaguars have opened a season 5–0 only twice before: in 2016–17 and 1982–83.

• Adam Olsen was named MVP of the Showdown in St. Pete after a dominant two-game performance, averaging 23.0 points, hitting 10 total three-pointers, and shooting an even 50 percent from the floor (15-for-30). Olsen took full control in the finale against Coppin State, pouring in 25 points on 9-for-12 shooting with a career-high six threes and four steals. He enters Wednesday leading the Sun Belt in total three-pointers made and ranking fourth in three-point percentage.

• Redshirt sophomore John Broom brings a unique homecoming connection to Wednesday's contest. His mother, Tracy Linton Broom, is one of Jacksonville State's most decorated women's basketball alumni. A 2007 inductee into the JSU Athletics Hall of Fame, she now serves as an Assistant AD for the Gamecocks. 

• South Alabama continues to rely heavily on its starting unit, with 71% of its total scoring coming from the opening five of Cooper, Harris, Olsen, Law, and Brady. All five starters rank as the team's top scorers: Olsen – 16.4 PPG, Law – 13.6 PPG, Harris – 12.8 PPG, Cooper – 10.4 PPG, Brady – 6.4 PPG. Those five have combined for 279 of the Jaguars' 389 total points this season. The bench has contributed 91 points overall—46 of which came in the win over Spring Hill.

• Redshirt junior Peyton Law has been dominant through his first four outings, averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He currently ranks Top 20 nationally in field goals made (32) and sits 22nd in the country in field goal percentage at 71.1%. 

• South Alabama has controlled the interior in every game this season (including the exhibition), outscoring opponents 296–146 in the paint. The Jaguars also rank top three in the Sun Belt in both rebounding margin (+7.4) and fewest opponent rebounds allowed (32.4).

•  South Alabama is one of just four undefeated 5–0 teams in the nation entering Wednesday's matchup. As of Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, the only men's programs at 5–0 are: Gonzaga, Georgia, Loyola Marymount, South Alabama.

• After finishing last season among the national leaders in several defensive categories, South Alabama enters 2025–26 with the same identity behind its patented zone defense. The Jags currently lead the Sun Belt in scoring defense (64.0 PPG allowed) and rank top three in opponent field goal percentage (38.4%).A remarkable 64.4% of opponent shot attempts this season have come from beyond the arc, with opponents averaging 37.4 three-point attempts per game.

FOLLOW THE JAGS

For complete coverage of South Alabama men's basketball, follow the Jaguars on social media at @SouthAlabamaMBB (X/Instagram), /SouthAlabamaJaguars (Facebook), or visit the official home of South Alabama Athletics at USAJaguars.com.
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