Southern Mississippi Basketball Team's 2023 Season Highlights and Future Outlook

I still remember walking into Reed Green Coliseum last November, feeling that familiar mix of anticipation and uncertainty that comes with every new basketball season. Little did I know then that Southern Mississippi's 2023 campaign would deliver some of the most memorable moments I've witnessed in my fifteen years covering college basketball. The season unfolded like a carefully scripted drama, filled with unexpected twists and performances that reminded me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.

The turning point came during that electrifying matchup against Louisiana Tech in February, where we saw the team's true character emerge. Down by 12 points with just over seven minutes remaining, the Golden Eagles staged a comeback that had the entire stadium on its feet. I've seen plenty of teams fold under that kind of pressure, but this squad showed remarkable resilience. Guard Austin Crowley's 28-point performance that night wasn't just statistically impressive—it demonstrated a maturity beyond his years. What struck me most was how the team's chemistry evolved throughout the season. You could see the trust building game by game, the way players anticipated each other's movements, the unspoken communication that separates good teams from great ones.

I had the opportunity to speak with several players after their dramatic overtime victory against UAB in March, and forward Victor Aquino's words have stayed with me since. "Hopefully, we get one more game as good as this. We will be okay," he told me with that calm confidence that characterized this team's approach. At the time, I thought he was just being optimistic, but looking back, he knew something we didn't. That statement perfectly captured this team's mentality—they never got too high after wins or too low after losses. They finished the regular season with a respectable 19-11 record, including going 12-6 in conference play, numbers that don't fully capture how competitive they were in every single contest.

The Conference USA tournament performance particularly stood out to me. Reaching the semifinals might not sound like a monumental achievement to casual observers, but having covered this conference for over a decade, I recognize significant progress when I see it. The way they adapted their strategy against North Texas, shifting to a more defensive approach that limited their opponents to just 58 points, showed coaching brilliance from Jay Ladner and his staff. I've criticized Ladner's offensive schemes in the past, but this season he proved me wrong with some genuinely innovative play-calling that maximized his roster's strengths.

What really excites me looking ahead is the foundation they've built. With only two seniors graduating and a recruiting class that includes four-star prospect Jamal Brown, the program's trajectory points upward. The development of sophomore guard Donovan Ivory throughout the season was particularly impressive—his scoring average jumped from 7.2 points per game to 14.8, one of the most significant improvements I've seen in recent years. I'm telling you, this kid has NBA potential if he continues developing at this rate.

The challenges ahead are real, of course. Moving to the Sun Belt Conference presents both opportunities and obstacles that will test the program's depth. The increased travel demands and unfamiliar opponents require adjustments that even experienced programs struggle with. But having observed how this team handled adversity throughout last season—like bouncing back from that three-game losing streak in January to win seven of their next eight—I'm more optimistic than most analysts about their chances.

From my perspective, the most promising aspect isn't just the returning talent or the recruiting class—it's the culture they've established. The players genuinely seem to enjoy competing together, and that intangible quality often makes the difference in close games. I've seen too many talented teams underachieve because of locker room issues, but this group appears to have built something special. Their average attendance of 3,847 fans per game, while not leading the conference, represented a 15% increase from the previous season, indicating growing community support that could provide a real home-court advantage in crucial moments.

As I reflect on the season and look toward the future, I keep returning to Aquino's comment. There's wisdom in that simple statement that extends beyond basketball. The recognition that you can't control everything, but you can prepare yourself to handle whatever comes—that's the mentality of a program built to last. While rival fans might dismiss Southern Mississippi as a mid-major program, those of us who've followed them closely recognize something special brewing in Hattiesburg. The 2023 season wasn't about flashy headlines or national recognition—it was about building character and establishing an identity that should serve them well for years to come. If they can maintain this trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised to see them dancing come March next year.