MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama men's basketball returns to the Mitchell Center for the first time in over a month as the Jaguars host North Texas on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Game Information

South Alabama (8–2) vs. North Texas (7–3)
Date: Sunday, December 14
Tip-off: 4:30 p.m. CT
Location: Mobile, Ala. | Mitchell Center
Listen: Jags Radio Network
Stats: South Alabama StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+

Last Time Out

South Alabama men's basketball was unable to withstand a strong second half from East Tennessee State, falling 91–65 on the road at Freedom Hall Civic Center.

Jayden Cooper led the Jaguars with 19 points, shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. Cooper scored 13 of his points in the first half, helping South Alabama build an early double-digit advantage.

The Jaguars shot 43.5 percent from three-point range (10-of-23) but were outrebounded 45–29 and outscored 23–3 in second-chance points. ETSU shot 56.8 percent from the field in the second half and finished the night at 49 percent overall.

South Alabama opened the game with strong energy, using an 11–0 run to build a 20–7 lead at the 12:15 mark of the first half. Cooper and Adam Olsen combined for five early three-pointers as the Jaguars led by as many as 13.

ETSU responded with an extended run to close the half, tying the game and eventually taking a 36–31 lead into the break after a pair of late second-chance baskets. Despite multiple attempts to cut into the deficit, USA struggled to generate second-chance opportunities, while the Buccaneers pulled away by outscoring the Jaguars 55–34 in the second half.

Scouting the Mean Green

• North Texas junior guard David Terrell Jr. has totaled 53 assists through the Mean Green's first 10 games this season.

• Forward Josiah Shackleford is shooting 75 percent from the floor over North Texas' last five games (21-of-26) entering Sunday.

• North Texas is led by first-year head coach Daniyal Robinson, who took over the program after guiding Cleveland State to three straight 20-win seasons from 2022–25. Robinson won 65 games in three seasons as the Vikings' head coach.

Notes You Need to Know

Home Sweet Home
The Jaguars return to the Mitchell Center after spending more than a month on the road. South Alabama completed an extended road stretch with a 5–2 record over its final seven road games, traveling approximately 3,900 miles across four states. During the trip, USA swept the Showdown in St. Pete, secured a historic 6–0 start at Jacksonville State, earned a dominant road win at UTSA, and picked up a neutral-site victory over previously unbeaten New Mexico State before closing the swing in Johnson City.

Efficiency Off the Charts
South Alabama has been one of the most efficient teams in the nation on both ends of the floor. The Jaguars lead the country in fouls per game (12.4) and rank fourth nationally in turnovers per game (8.8). USA also leads the Sun Belt in turnover margin (+4.13) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.45; 65 assists to 48 turnovers).

Runnin'
Per EvanMiya College Basketball Analytics, the Jaguars are generating the second-most "Killshots" (10–0 or better runs) per game in the Sun Belt (0.56) while allowing the fewest (0.22). That differential gives South Alabama a conference-best +0.33 net runs advantage.

Texas Two-Step
South Alabama delivered its most complete performance of the season at UTSA, forcing the Roadrunners into a season-high 56 three-point attempts while holding them to just 26.6 percent shooting from the field — the lowest mark allowed by the Jaguars in nearly two years. USA followed that effort with a thrilling neutral-site win over New Mexico State, knocking down 32-of-39 free throws — the program's most in a decade.

Walling Off the Inside
South Alabama's defensive identity has centered on shutting down the paint and forcing opponents to rely on the perimeter. The Jaguars rank first nationally in three-point attempts forced against (39.0 per game), eight more than any other team in the country.

Olsen on the Attack
Adam Olsen has been a catalyst all season, leading the Jaguars in scoring with five 20-point performances. Olsen ranks among the top 15 nationally in three-pointers made, knocking down 33 triples this season, and has recorded seven games with multiple three-pointers. The Canadian native tallied his fifth game with at least five made threes in the win at UTSA.

FOLLOW THE JAGS

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