MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama basketball returned from its swing through Florida without a win, falling in Sun Belt Conference games at Florida Atlantic and Florida International as the Jaguars moved into the middle of January.
The two road losses followed a split of South Alabama’s first two league games. The Jaguars opened Sun Belt play with a loss at Arkansas State, then beat Middle Tennessee State in Mobile to begin the new year.
A Different Result in Florida
The trip stood in contrast to the Jaguars’ Florida swing a season earlier. In the 2009-10 season, South Alabama defeated the University of Florida and followed with road wins at FIU and FAU. The Gators were not on this season’s schedule, and the Jaguars lost to both FAU and FIU.
A Young Roster
Coach Ronnie Arrow’s roster is a young one. Tim Williams, Gary Redus and Raymond Sims are the team’s only seniors, and Allyn Cooks and Antoine Lundy are its two juniors. Freshman Augustine Rubit has been a major contributor in his first college season.
Three-point defense has been a problem for South Alabama, with opponents converting from beyond the arc. The Jaguars’ free-throw shooting has improved since the start of the season.
Three-Game Home Stand Ahead
South Alabama now returns to the Mitchell Center for a three-game home stand against Sun Belt opponents:
- Saturday, Jan. 15: Louisiana-Monroe
- Thursday, Jan. 20: Western Kentucky
- Saturday, Jan. 22: Florida International
The final game of the stand gives the Jaguars a quick rematch with FIU, one of the two teams that beat them on the Florida trip.
