Hoopin’: SU Basketball Update

It is no secret that Southern University has a high standard of excellence, especially in sports. Basketball season is heating for both the men and the women. Last year, the women were SWAC Champs and are on a mission to repeat. On the other hand, the Men had a disappointing season as they were victims to an early exit in the SWAC Tournament. The regular season is nearing its conclusion, so here’s a mid-season update on both squads.
To begin with, The women were projected to finish second in the SWAC. It is no surprise, considering the majority of the previous SWAC Championship team was returning. Some key players to keep an eye out for the Lady Jags are graduate guards Chloe Fleming, Genovea Johnson, and Taylor Williams. However, they weren’t living up to that initial prediction. The women started conference play off blazing, going 3-1 in their first four conference games. However, there were some tough losses, resulting in the women being sixth in conference standings. However, recent wins against Alabama A&M, Alabama State, and Prairie View A&M have allowed the women to move up fourth in the conference, sitting at an overall record of 10-13 and 8-4 record in the conference. The team has the potential to be great because they are a scrappy group, and don’t forget this same team upset the University of Oklahoma and nearly beat Jackson State, who is undefeated in conference play. The Lady Jaguars do have something that works in their favor, which is experience and Championship DNA from their Head Coach, Carlos Funchess, and the veterans. After the game against Texas Southern, the Lady Jags will have five conference games left, which include Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Alabama State, and Alabama A&M. It is imperative that they capitalize on their remaining schedule for a higher seed in the tournament, hoping they can repeat as champions.
The men have not had an easy road, considering they have new leadership in coaches and some players. Due to this situation, the Jaguars were expected to finish fifth in the SWAC. However, the Jaguars didn’t buy into that expectation. The Jaguars set the bar high, resulting in them making some noise, knocking off the University of Las Vegas (UNLV). Southern came out with a vengeance against the conference, winning their first three conference games. However, they did have some slip-ups against Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman. Nevertheless, no confidence was lost, as the Jags haven’t lost another conference game since. As a result, the Jags are first in the conference. New Head Coach Kevin Johnson has done a sensational job leading this basketball team. However, one of the biggest stories has been the transfer of junior guard Tai’Reon Joseph. Tai’Reon Joseph is a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and leads the team in Points Per Game with 20.5 PPG. This stat is equivalent to being ranked 21st in the nation. This can be a bit misleading though, as the Jags have faced criticism about whether the team can get the job done without him. This notion was put to the test as Joseph has been dealing with injuries, but the team has beaten Jackson State, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, and Prairie View. All the credit goes to junior guard Derrick Tezeno, redshirt senior Brandon Davis, and junior guard Tidjiane Dioumassi. All these players showed phenomenal leadership in the absence of Joseph. The Jags do have a tough stretch, starting with Texas Southern. After that game, the rest are Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Alabama State, and Alabama A&M. The Jags must continue to play quality basketball to remain the number one seed. Please go and support the Jags in their upcoming matches.