MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama men's basketball will open its home slate on Thursday, Nov. 6, hosting Alcorn State at 7 p.m. CT inside the Mitchell Center, with the matchup being streamed on ESPN+

Last Time Out

South Alabama opened its 2025–26 campaign with a statement road victory Monday night, holding off Toledo 76–74 in the MAC–SBC Challenge at Savage Arena.

Junior forward Adam Olsen led the way with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including five three-pointers, while Peyton Law added 18 points on a near-perfect 9-for-10 from the field with six rebounds. Chaze Harris chipped in 10 points and a team-high seven assists in his home state to help the Jaguars secure their first win of the season.

Randy Brady anchored the glass with 10 rebounds and seven points as South Alabama out-rebounded the Rockets 36–26, including an 11–5 advantage on the offensive boards. The Jaguars shot 55.2 percent from the field while limiting Toledo to 47.3 percent overall and dominated the paint for the second straight outing, outscoring the Rockets 48–22 inside.

South jumped out quickly behind hot first-half shooting, connecting on 58.6 percent from the floor while holding Toledo to 33.3 percent overall and just 18.7 percent from three-point range (3-for-16). The Jaguars led 39–26 at halftime before Toledo mounted a second-half rally, hitting 12-of-17 threes after the break. The Rockets drained a late triple to make it a one-possession game, but South's defense held firm, forcing an off-balance attempt at the buzzer to seal the win.

Scouting the Braves

Alcorn State enters its first season under new head coach Jake Morton, who was named the 15th head coach in program history in April.

The Braves fell 108–76 in their season opener at Florida State. Four players reached double figures, led by Nick Woodward with 16 points and six rebounds, and Tycen McDaniels with 14 points and six boards. Alcorn State shot an impressive 51.0 percent from the field and connected on eight first-half three-pointers in the loss.

The Braves face one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation, featuring nearly eight Power Four opponents, including Ole Miss, Maryland, Baylor, and LSU.

In the Series

South Alabama holds a 7–3 advantage in the all-time series against Alcorn State. The Jaguars defeated the Braves last season in the Mitchell Center, 91–85 in overtime, marking head coach Richie Riley's 150th career victory.

Notes to Know

• Three of South Alabama's six transfers made dominant debuts at Toledo. Adam Olsen led the Jaguars with 23 points and five three-pointers, Peyton Law added 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Chaze Harris impressed with 10 points and seven assists in his first game as a Jag.
   
• Thursday is South Alabama's banner reveal night, recognizing the accomplishments of the 2024-25 Sun Belt regular-season squad that claimed the crown last season. 

• South has controlled the paint in both outings this season, including the exhibition win. The Jaguars have outscored opponents 90–46 inside and outrebounded Toledo 36–26, establishing an early-season interior presence.
   

• The Jags return four experienced players from last year's 21-win squad — John Broom, Jayden Cooper, Randy Brady, and JJ Wheat — along with Maxwell Land, who returns from injury.
   

• South Alabama reloaded its roster with eight newcomers, highlighted by NAIA All-Americans Harris (Life University) and Law (Freed-Hardeman), Canadian sharpshooter Olsen (University of British Columbia), and JUCO standout Stephen Williams (Coastal Alabama CC).
   

• John Broom, a preseason All-Sun Belt selection, averaged 5.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game as a freshman last season, ranking second all-time among Jaguar freshmen in total steals (50).
   

• Despite receiving a league-best four first-place votes, South Alabama was picked to finish third in the Sun Belt preseason poll behind co-champions James Madison and Arkansas State.
   
• Under Richie Riley, now in his eighth season, the Jaguars have posted an 85–31 record at home in the Mitchell Center, including a 13–4 mark last year.

For complete coverage of South Alabama men's basketball, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaMBB (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaJaguars (Facebook), @southalabamambb (Instagram), or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.