You're looking at the Mitchell Center, and the energy is different this year. Honestly, if you aren't keeping a close eye on the South Alabama Jaguars basketball schedule, you’re missing one of the most chaotic and exciting turnarounds in the Sun Belt. Coach Richie Riley didn't just build a roster; he built a gauntlet.
Most people think the season really starts in January. Wrong. The Jags already proved that by knocking off Toledo on the road to open the season and surviving a literal "Showdown in St. Pete."
It’s January 16, 2026. Yesterday, the Jags just gutted out a 91-87 win over Arkansas State. If you weren't there, you missed a classic. But the road ahead? It's even more intense.
The Gauntlet: South Alabama Jaguars Basketball Schedule Highlights
Look, the Sun Belt is a meat grinder. There are no "easy nights" anymore. Basically, the Jaguars are in the thick of a stretch that will decide if they're playing for a high seed in Pensacola or just trying to survive.
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Here is what the immediate horizon looks like for the men's team:
- January 17 (Tomorrow): Louisiana at the Mitchell Center. Tip-off is at 4:00 PM. This is a revenge game. The Jags beat them in Lafayette on New Year’s Eve (63-58), and you know the Ragin' Cajuns are coming in with a chip on their shoulder.
- January 22: At James Madison. This is the long haul. A Thursday night in Harrisonburg is never fun for a visiting team.
- January 24: At Marshall. Two days after JMU, the Jags have to face the Thundering Herd. This road trip is basically a stress test for the bench depth.
- January 29 & 31: Back home for Coastal Carolina and Georgia State. If the Jags want to stay at the top of the standings, they have to sweep this weekend. Period.
February: The Final Push for Pensacola
February is where seasons go to die—or where legends are made. The Jaguars close out the month with a four-game homestand that is, frankly, a gift from the schedule makers.
- They start the month on the road at App State (Feb 4).
- Then, the MAC-SBC Challenge returns on February 7. This is the second leg of the crossover. South Alabama already did their part by beating Toledo in November; now they host a MAC opponent (opponent TBA based on standings) at the Mitchell Center.
- The real drama starts Feb 19. Texas State comes to town, followed by the big one: Troy on February 21.
The "Battle for the Belt" against Troy is more than just a game. It's personal. After dropping a tough one in Troy back on January 3 (59-49), the Jaguars have this date circled in red. You've got to be in the building for that one.
Don't Forget the Women's Squad
The women's South Alabama Jaguars basketball schedule has been a rollercoaster of high-scoring wins and tough road lessons. Coach Yolisha Jackson has the Jags playing a fast, aggressive style that is actually pretty fun to watch if you like high-pressure defense.
They just came off a solid win against ULM (73-67) but have a massive hurdle tomorrow, January 17, at Coastal Carolina. While the men are home, the women are fighting for road respect in South Carolina.
Key Women’s Dates to Circle:
- February 18: At Troy. This is the mirror of the men's rivalry.
- February 27: Regular season finale vs. Troy at home.
Imagine that: both the men's and women's teams closing out their regular seasons against their biggest rivals within days of each other. The Mitchell Center is going to be vibrating.
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Why This Schedule Is Different This Year
In previous seasons, the Sun Belt felt a bit more top-heavy. Now? It’s deep. You see teams like James Madison and Appalachian State bringing high-major intensity to every game.
South Alabama’s non-conference schedule was intentionally designed to be "uncomfortable." Playing UAB in Birmingham and traveling to East Tennessee State wasn't just about the paycheck. It was about preparing for the physical play of the Sun Belt.
Honestly, the most underrated part of the South Alabama Jaguars basketball schedule is the travel. People don't realize that going from Mobile to Huntington, West Virginia (Marshall) and then back to Alabama is a logistical nightmare. Recovery is as important as the scouting report.
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Impact Players to Watch
When you're looking at the box scores for these upcoming games, keep an eye on Olsen. He was just named Sun Belt Player of the Week for a reason. He’s the engine. When he’s hitting from deep, the floor opens up for the bigs to work.
Also, watch the defensive rotations. The Jaguars have struggled at times with perimeter defense, which cost them games against North Texas and East Tennessee State earlier in the winter. If they’ve fixed those gaps, they are a legitimate threat to win the tournament in March.
Actionable Next Steps for Jaguar Fans
If you're planning to follow the rest of the season, don't just check the scores on Twitter.
- Get to the Mitchell Center: The final four-game homestand (Feb 19–27) is the most critical stretch of the season. Tickets are usually affordable, and the atmosphere for the Troy game (Feb 21) is the best you'll find in Mobile.
- Download the South Alabama Gameday App: It sounds corporate, but it’s actually the only way to get real-time stats and live audio if you’re stuck in traffic on I-10 during tip-off.
- Stream on ESPN+: Almost every Sun Belt game, home or away, is on ESPN+. If you can't travel to Boone or Harrisonburg, this is your lifeline.
- Watch the MAC-SBC Pairings: Keep an eye out around early February. The opponent for the Feb 7 game is decided by NET rankings and conference standings, so it’ll be a high-stakes matchup.
The road to the NCAA Tournament runs through Pensacola from March 3-9. Every game on the South Alabama Jaguars basketball schedule between now and then is a brick in that foundation. Whether they're dancing in March or heading home early depends entirely on how they handle this upcoming three-week stretch. Go Jags.