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The South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes and setbacks. The team has competed in the Sun Belt Conference since 1978, and over the years, they have won the conference championship five times and reached the NCAA tournament eight times. However, in March 2025, the Jaguars found themselves in a controversial situation when their invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) was suddenly rescinded due to a mix-up with another team. This left the team and its supporters feeling disappointed and frustrated. Despite this setback, the Jaguars have shown resilience and a determination to succeed, with their coach, Richie Riley, being named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in the 2024-25 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | South Alabama Jaguars |
| Coach | Richie Riley |
| Year of joining the Sun Belt Conference | 1978 |
| Number of wins in the Sun Belt Conference | 5 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA tournament | 8 |
| Year of the last appearance in the NCAA tournament | 2008 |
| Year of the last win in the Sun Belt Conference | 2008 |
| Number of wins in the current season | 21 |
| Number of transfers in the current team | 7 |
| Number of wins required to reach the NCAA tournament | 2 |
| Result of the match against Arkansas State | Loss |
| Result of the match against Illinois | Win |
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What You'll Learn
- South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has a rich history in the sport
- The team has had several successful coaches over the years
- They have won the Sun Belt Conference championship five times
- The Jaguars have participated in the NCAA tournament eight times
- In 2025, South Alabama's NIT invite was rescinded
South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has a rich history in the sport
The South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has a long history in the sport, with the program beginning in 1968. The team has competed in the Sun Belt Conference since the league's formation in 1978 and has enjoyed success over the years, winning the conference championship five times and reaching the NCAA tournament eight times.
The Jaguars' history includes notable coaches such as Cliff Ellis, who led the team from 1975 to 1984 and achieved a remarkable 171-84 record during his tenure. Ellis is credited with turning the program around, taking the Jaguars to the NCAA tournament and achieving a top-10 national ranking. Another influential coach was Ronnie Arrow, who surpassed Ellis' record in 2010 and became the all-time winningest coach in South Alabama history with a 177-127 record across 11 seasons. Arrow also led the Jaguars to an at-large bid in the 2008 NCAA tournament, their most recent appearance.
Former NBA coach Bill Musselman joined the Jaguars in 1997, leading the team to back-to-back NCAA tournament bids in his two seasons as coach. The Jaguars have also faced setbacks, including a disappointing loss to Florida in the 2006 NCAA tournament and a rescinded NIT invitation in 2025, which caused an "emotional impact" on the team.
Despite these challenges, the South Alabama Jaguars have consistently demonstrated their skill and competitiveness in men's basketball. The team has produced five former players who have gone on to play in the NBA, and the university continues to foster the program's success and rich history. The Jaguars' home games are played at the Mitchell Center, a 10,041-seat multi-purpose arena built in 1998, adding to the team's legacy and tradition.
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The team has had several successful coaches over the years
The South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has had a rich history of success, with five Sun Belt Conference championship wins and eight NCAA tournament appearances. The team's success can be attributed to the leadership and guidance of several notable coaches over the years.
One of the most notable coaches in the team's history is Cliff Ellis, who served as the head coach from 1975 to 1984. During his tenure, Ellis transformed the Jaguars' basketball program, leading them to three Sun Belt titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances, and two NITs. He left a lasting impact on the program, with his winning record of 171-84 (.671) standing as a testament to his coaching prowess.
Another influential coach was Ronnie Arrow, who had two successful stints with the Jaguars. In his first eight seasons, Arrow compiled a record of 114-93 (.551) and was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1991. During his second stint from 2007 to 2012, Arrow became the all-time winningest coach in South Alabama history, with a remarkable 177-127 record across eleven seasons.
Other notable coaches include Bill Musselman, who led the Jaguars to back-to-back NCAA tournament bids, and John Pelphrey, who secured the team's first NCAA tournament bid in 1998 and an NIT appearance in 2007. The current head coach, Richie Riley, is also making waves, with his South Alabama Jaguars ranked as a top-rated recruiting class in all three of his years.
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They have won the Sun Belt Conference championship five times
The South Alabama Jaguars have enjoyed success in the Sun Belt Conference championship, winning the championship five times. The team reached the Sun Belt tournament final in 2023, losing a closely contested game to Louisiana by a score of 71-66. Led by senior guard Isaiah Moore, who scored a season-high 33 points, the Jaguars fought hard but ultimately fell short.
The Sun Belt Conference was founded on August 4, 1976, with the University of South Alabama as one of its inaugural members. Over the years, the conference has experienced fluctuations in membership, but South Alabama has remained a consistent competitor.
In the 2023-24 season, the Jaguars ended with a record of 16-16, marking their second consecutive early exit from the Sun Belt tournament. However, the team underwent a significant transformation under the leadership of coach Richie Riley. By bringing in seven transfers and adopting an old-school recruiting approach, South Alabama rose from a preseason ranking of 11th to the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Sun Belt tournament.
Key players like Barry Dunning, Myles Corey, Dylan Fasoyiro, and Elijah Ormiston contributed to the team's success, helping them secure 21 wins and a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular-season championship. This impressive run positioned the Jaguars as the top seed for the Sun Belt Conference tournament, giving them an automatic berth to the semifinals.
With a well-deserved rest and a hungry mindset, the Jaguars were determined to add another championship to their tally. Despite their best efforts, they were ousted by Arkansas State in a close semifinal game, falling just short of reaching the Sun Belt Conference championship game once again.
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The Jaguars have participated in the NCAA tournament eight times
The South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, having participated eight times since the program's inception in 1968.
Under the leadership of head coach Cliff Ellis, the Jaguars made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Ellis took the reins in 1975, and within four years, he had guided the Jaguars to their inaugural NCAA Tournament qualification. Not only did he lead them to the tournament, but he also steered the program to national prominence, achieving a top-10 ranking just six seasons into his tenure.
The Jaguars' success in the NCAA Tournament continued with two appearances under Ellis, and they went on to make back-to-back appearances under the guidance of Bill Musselman, a former NBA coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Jaguars' last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2008, where they suffered a defeat at the hands of seventh-seeded Butler in the NCAA Birmingham Regional First Round, losing 81-61.
The Jaguars have experienced both highs and lows in their NCAA Tournament journey, compiling a record of 1-8 across their eight appearances. Despite the challenges, the Jaguars have consistently demonstrated their tenacity and determination to compete at the highest level, and they continue to strive for further success in the years to come.
In 2025, the Jaguars earned a share of the Sun Belt regular-season title and secured a bye to the conference tournament semifinals. With a talented roster and a dedicated coaching staff, the Jaguars are working tirelessly to return to the NCAA Tournament and create more memorable moments in the years ahead.
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In 2025, South Alabama's NIT invite was rescinded
In March 2025, the South Alabama Jaguars' National Invitation Tournament (NIT) invite was rescinded. The Jaguars, who were the No. 1 seed for the Sun Belt Conference tournament, had earned a share of the Sun Belt regular-season title and a bye to the conference tournament semifinals. They were two wins away from reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008.
After their loss to Arkansas State, the Jaguars' postseason hopes rested on one of the three other postseason tournaments: the NIT, the CBI, or the College Basketball Crown tournament. Initially, the Jaguars were not part of the 32-team NIT field, but they received a sudden invitation to the tournament, which they believed to be real. Overjoyed by the news, the players and coaches celebrated, believing they had another shot at playing together that year.
However, it was later revealed that there had been a mix-up. The invitation was meant for UC Riverside, who had committed to play in the CBI but had not heard from the NIT during the days leading up to Selection Sunday. As a result, South Alabama's NIT invitation was rescinded, leaving the team and its supporters disappointed and frustrated.
Despite the setback, the Jaguars still had a successful season, and their Sun Belt Conference champions banner will forever hang in the Mitchell Center, a 10,041-seat multi-purpose arena that has been home to the team since 1998.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Jaguars lost to Arkansas State in the final.
Richie Riley.
Five times.
Since 1968, the Jaguars have a record of 694-507.
