BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University men's basketball returns to action Sunday afternoon, traveling to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to take on McNeese State at 2:00 p.m. The Jaguars hope to see members of Jaguar Nation make a stop along the way back from Houston to show their support as Southern continues its preparation for the 2026-27 season.
The exhibition contest will not be broadcast, but fans can follow the action through live statistics at McNeeseSports.com and admission is free.
Southern enters the new season with a host of new faces but the same goal in mind: compete for championships and continue raising the standard of Jaguar basketball.
Head coach Kevin Johnson and the Jaguars are working to bring together a new-look roster featuring 14 newcomers and two returning players. With a large group of new faces, the focus remains on building chemistry, establishing the team's identity and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Southern is coming off a 17-17 campaign in 2025-26, finishing 11-7 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. The Jaguars made a strong postseason push, advancing to the 2026 SWAC Tournament Championship Game for the first time since 2016.
The Jaguars will look to carry forward the defensive intensity that has become a defining characteristic of the program under Johnson. Last season, the Jaguars ranked 11th nationally in steals per game, averaging 9.3 per contest, while ranking 19th in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game at 14.65.
That defensive pressure will remain an important part of Southern's identity as the Jaguars continue to develop their new roster and prepare for the upcoming season.
Saturday's matchup with McNeese State provides another opportunity for the Jaguars to gain valuable experience, build chemistry and continue working toward their goals as they prepare for a tough non-conference schedule.
Southern encourages Jaguar Nation traveling back from Houston to make the stop in Lake Charles and support the Jaguars as they return to the court.
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