MOBILE, Ala. – In its final non-conference matchup of the season, South Alabama men's basketball returns home to host Buffalo Bulls men's basketball on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. CT inside the Mitchell Center.

Game Information

South Alabama (16–7, 7–4 SBC) vs. Buffalo (14–9, 4–7 MAC)

Date: Saturday, Feb. 7

Tip-off: 3 p.m. CT

Location: Mobile, Ala. | Mitchell Center

Listen: Jags Radio Network

Stats: StatBroadcast

Watch: ESPN+

Last Time Out

• South Alabama ran into a tough defensive road test Wednesday night, falling 65–57 at App State in Boone.

• The Jaguars shot 44.0 percent in the second half and trimmed a nine-point deficit to as close as one with under four minutes to play, but App State capitalized on second-chance opportunities and late trips to the free-throw line.

• Chaze Harris led the Jags with 17 points and six assists, scoring in double figures for the eighth straight game.

• Jayden Cooper added 16 points, knocking down three three-pointers while playing nearly the full 40 minutes.

• South Alabama shot 55.6 percent from three in the second half and held App State to 28.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Scouting the Bulls

• Buffalo is led by one of the nation's top scorers in Daniel Freitag, who averages nearly 20.0 points per game.

• Ryan Sabol ranks among the country's elite perimeter threats, owning the 10th-most made three-pointers nationally (78).

• The Bulls rank top 15 nationally in three-point percentage (39.0%) and 23rd in effective field-goal percentage (56.9%).

• George Halcovage III is in his third season as head coach at Buffalo.

Series History

• South Alabama owns a 9–6 all-time record against MAC opponents and is 3–2 in the MAC–SBC Challenge since its inception in 2023.

• The Jaguars and Bulls meet for the second time, after South Alabama claimed a 70–56 win in New York in the programs' inaugural matchup.

• USA has also defeated Toledo (76–75) and Central Michigan (66–64) this season in non-conference play.

Notes You Need to Know

• Jayden Cooper has scored in double figures in six straight games, averaging 12.8 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 42 percent from the field. He scored 15 first-half points against App State, including three triples.

• South Alabama ranks fifth nationally in turnovers committed per game (8.7) and has committed fewer than 10 turnovers in 15 games this season, resulting in the 23rd-ranked turnover margin nationally (+3.7).

• Head coach Richie Riley owns a 40–19 record in February since taking over the program in 2018–19. The Jaguars won seven of their final nine games to close the regular season a year ago.

• The Jaguars rank first nationally in three-pointers attempted against (40.1 per game), holding opponents to just 30.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

• South Alabama leads the nation in fewest fouls per game (11.7), ranks fourth nationally in field-goal percentage defense (37.7%), and sits 37th in scoring defense (67.6 ppg).

• The Jaguars are 13–4 when holding opponents to 70 points or fewer and have limited teams to 40 percent shooting or below in 17 of 23 games this season.

• South Alabama has outscored opponents 824–442 in the paint and forced opponents to attempt 921 three-pointers this season, with just 285 made. The Jaguars rank second in the Sun Belt in both field-goal percentage (46.1%) and field-goal percentage defense (37.7%).

FOLLOW THE JAGS

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