TIP-OFF

The ULM men's basketball team (4-17, 0-8) wraps up a four-game homestand on Monday (Jan. 27) night with the first of two consecutive matchups against South Alabama (14-6, 6-2) from Fant-Ewing Coliseum on ESPN+.

This marks the first time the Warhawks will play the same team in consecutive games since the 2021-22 season, when the Warhawks played the Ragin' Cajuns in back-to-back games on Feb. 17 in Monroe and Feb. 19 in Lafayette. ULM lost both games versus the Cajuns by less than six points.

Makai Willis recorded his third double double of the season (10 points, 11 rebounds) and the Warhawks committed a season-low four turnovers, but App State edged the Warhawks in a defensive battle, 66-58 on Saturday afternoon.

SERIES HISTORY –

The Jaguars lead the all-time series 18-15, with the 34th matchup upcoming on Thursday. Last season, the two teams split the season series, with the Warhawks taking the first matchup 80-66 on Jan. 25, 2024, and South Alabama winning the second game 80-69 on Mar. 1, 2024. The win on Jan. 25 last season was the first for ULM against the Jaguars since 2020. 

SCOUTING THE JAGUARS –

South Alabama has won seven out of its last nine games, including a one-point win over Troy last weekend before falling to the Trojans on the road Saturday evening. Leading the scoring for the Jaguars is Myles Corey, a graduate transfer from William Jessup, who is averaging 14.8 ppg. Corey has five games this year with 20 points, the latest one being vs. Old Dominion with a 20-point performance. Also averging double-figure points is Barry Dunning Jr., with 12.6 ppg.

RICHARD ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AT CONCLUSION OF SEASON–

ULM men's basketball coach Keith Richard announced on Friday (Dec. 20) his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Richard will complete his 15th season as the head coach of ULM men's basketball. Richard inherited a program saddled with APR sanctions and guided the Warhawks to four postseason appearances in five years. Richard previously served as the head coach of Louisiana Tech from 1998-2007 and was an assistant at LSU from 2008-10 before being named ULM's head coach and has accumulated over 300 victories as a head coach.

FAMILIAR FACES –

The Warhawks welcome back 10 players from the 2023-24 roster including starters Tyreese Watson, Jalen Bolden and Jerry Ngopot. Key role players including Jacob Wilson, Makai Willis and AD Diedhiou are also back after playing in more than 10 games last season.

KEY ADDITIONS –

The 2024 ULM men's basketball signing class featured four new Warhawks to the 2024-25 roster. ULM signed two high school prospects (Micah Caster & Renars Sondors), one four-year transfer  (Coltie Young) and one junior college transfer (Ta'Zir Smith) in the 2024 class. Additionaly, Phil Cunningham was introduced as an assistant head coach during the offseason. Cunningham brings over 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at the Division I level.

LOOKING AHEAD –

The Warhawks will face South Alabama again to conclude the season series on Thursday (Jan. 30) night in Mobile with tip-off set for 7 p.m.