Southeastern Lions release 2018-19 men’s basketball schedule

HAMMOND, La. – The reigning Southland Conference regular season champion Southeastern Louisiana (22-12, 15-3 in the SLC) men’s basketball team released their 2018-19 schedule Tuesday morning.

The Lions were on the verge of the NCAA tournament last year before falling to Stephen F. Austin 59-55 in the conference tournament championship game.

SLU will open the season Tuesday, Nov. 6 at LSU at 7:30 p.m. at the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Despite LSU’s 18-15 season last year, the Tigers have reloaded under second year head coach Will Wade with the nation’s third-ranked recruited class according to rivals.com.

The Lions also have a Nov. 13 matchup in Lubbock, Texas with 2017-18 Elite-Eight participant Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. The Red Raiders (27-10) defeated Stephen F. Austin, 23rd-ranked Florida and 11th-ranked Purdue before falling to eventual National Champion Villanova 71-59 in the Elite Eight.

The schedule also features non-conference games road games at Nebraska, Tulane, Ole Miss, Bradley, Mississippi Valley State and Grambling State. The Lions will also play five non-conference games in the comfort of SLU’s University Center against William Carey, Stetson, Louisiana College, California Baptist and UL Lafayette before opening Southland Conference play.

For the second consecutive year, Southeastern will open the conference schedule against SFA (28-7), the reigning Southland Tournament champions, Wednesday, Jan. 2 on the road. SLU defeated SFA in a thriller last year in the conference opener at the University Center 73-62. The Lions used a 12-0 run over the last 1:26 to seal the win.

The Lions will have home and away games in the conference with McNeese, Nicholls, New Orleans, Northwestern State, Central Arkansas and Abilene Christian. The remaining schedule includes single games on the road at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Houston Baptist and home games with Lamar, Sam Houston State and Incarnate Word.

“We are very excited about the challenges our schedule presents,” said fifth year SLU head men’s basketball coach Jay Ladner. “It gives us an opportunity to further expose the Southeastern brand to the rest of the country. What’s particularly exciting about the schedule is the non-conference games against in-state and regional powers that resonate with our fan base. We open the season of course at LSU then have the matchups with in-state teams like Tulane, UL Lafayette, Grambling and then throw in playing Ole Miss at a neutral site. It’s a challenging schedule that will help us prepare for an always tough Southland schedule which will also attract recruits.”

The Southland Conference Tournament is set for Wednesday, March 13-Sunday, March 17 at the Ferrell Center in Katy, Texas.

Fans can also catch the Lions in their final dress rehearsal before the season opener. SLU will face Delta State in an exhibition game Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at home.

HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.

All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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