GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team will look to get into the win column in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play as the Tigers play host to Southern on Saturday and Alcorn State on Monday.
 
Tip-off for Saturday's game at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center is set for 5 p.m. against the Jaguars, while Monday's tilt against the Braves will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
 
Grambling State (6-9 overall, 0-2 SWAC) comes into the weekend off three straight losses, including dropping a pair to open SWAC play last week against Alabama State and Alabama A&M. The Tigers are no strangers to the slow start in conference play as Grambling State began the 2017-18 season with three consecutive losses before reeling off 11 straight victories.
 
Southern (1-14, 0-2) comes into the rivalry game against Grambling State riding an eight-game losing streak, with its lone victory coming on Nov. 27 against Wiley College. The Jaguars fell at home to Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern to open SWAC play last weekend.
 
Alcorn State (4-10, 0-2) travels to Jackson State on Saturday, before making the trip on Monday to Grambling State. The Braves opened up SWAC play with losses to Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.
 
ABOUT SOUTHERN
> Alabama State is averaging 65.0 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 75.4 points.
> The Hornets are shooting 40.4 percent (253-of-626) from the field and 60.9 percent (126-of-207) from the foul line.
> Eddie Reese paces the Southern offense at 14.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, followed by Sidney Umude at 12.0 points and 5.5 boards per game.
 
ABOUT ALCORN STATE
> Alcorn State is averaging 66.8 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 70.6 points.
> The Braves are shooting 40.9 percent (330-of-807) from the field and 66.4 percent (164-of247) from the foul line.
> Maurice Howard leads the Alcorn State offense at 13.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, followed by DeShaw Andrews at 12.0 points and 5.6 boards per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
> Grambling State is coming off a 65-60 overtime loss to Alabama A&M on Monday
> Ivy Smith, Jr. scored 27 points, in 41 minutes of action, along with five rebounds and three steals against the Bulldogs
> The Tigers shot 29.6 percent (16-of-54) from the floor and 64.7 percent (22-of-34) from the free-throw line
 
NOTABLES
> Ivy Smith leads the SWAC in assists, free-throw attempts and free-throws made
> Grambling State is third in offense at 69.2 points per game and is second in the conference in defense at 70.9 points
> The Tigers lead the SWAC in 11 different categories, including total rebounds and total rebounds per game
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
> Grambling State surpassed the 100-point plateau in a 105-68 victory over Jarvis Christian to begin the season
> The Tigers defeated Niagara on Nov. 23 in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic
> Grambling State won back-to-back games over Portland and Southeastern Louisiana
> Lasani Johnson scored a career-high 30 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Centenary
> Dallas Polk-Hilliard leads the team in double-doubles with five
 
PRESEASON POLL
> Grambling State was predicted to win to repeat as the SWAC regular season champion
 
GRAMBLING STATE BASKETBALL HISTORY
> Grambling State won its first SWAC regular season championship in 30 years last year
> Charles "Charlie Red) Hardnett and Willis Reed are notable alums of the basketball program
 
UP NEXT
Grambling State will take to the road for the Texas two-game road swing Jan. 19 and 21. The Tigers will visit Texas Southern on Jan. 19, followed by a trip to Prairie View A&M on Jan. 21.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video