HAMMOND, La. – With two and a half weeks to opening day for the 2024-25 season, the Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team has come together, looking to exceed the expectations of a team replacing four starters from 2023-24.
 
"Since the summer, this has probably been the hardest working group of guys outside of the mandatory time since I've been here," said SLU head men's basketball coach David Kiefer. "The guys are constantly in the gym, they are hungry to be coached and get better every single day. I feel this is the most athletic and versatile team we've had since I've been here."
 
As is the case in this ever-changing world, the Lions are starting from the ground, returning five players from the 2023-24 squad which went 10-8 in the Southland. Kiefer believes the amount of time the team has already spent together is already starting to forge an identity, one that could make it tough for opposing teams to score on this year.
 
"Going every day and being around each other all summer, you can slowly start to see the team start to come together and start to get an identity, especially on the defensive side of the floor," continued Kiefer.
 
One major change fans can expect when they come to watch the Lions play this season is a much more up-tempo style of basketball, especially defensively. That would be a significant deviation from the 2023-24 squad, which enjoyed a slower pace of play.
 
"I think this is going to be an exciting, fun brand of basketball to watch," said Kiefer. "A completely opposite style of play from last year. We're going to be able to play much faster, much more defensive-minded team. It's going to be a fun brand of basketball this year to watch."
 
With Brody Rowbury, who's earned praise from the coaching staff with how he's transformed himself since the end of last season, as the only returning starter and Kam Burton and Carlos Paez as key bench players back from last year, Kiefer says there are several newcomers who are expected to be major players in 2024-25.
 
"The first guy you've got to mention is Sam Hines, Jr.," said Kiefer. "He's a guy who was at South Florida and started a lot of games there. Started out as a freshman at Denver and was a really good player for them as a freshman. Just coming here with his skill level, athleticism, and the biggest part is his leadership and the type of person he is. Just really excited about who he is going to be for our team and I think he's going to be a match-up problem for our league."
 
Then Kiefer keyed in on a player who already knows the Southland well, Jakevion Buckley. Buckley spent the last two seasons in Beaumont, playing at Lamar.
 
"[Buckley] is able to play the point guard role for us and a little bit off the ball as well," continued Kiefer. "He's done a really good job of being coachable and he really fits with what we're trying to do here and our style of play."
 
"There's a bunch of other guys that have done a great job all summer and fall, and again, this might be the deepest team that we've had since I've been here."
 
The Lions were picked sixth in the Southland Conference's preseason poll, a conference that has undergone immense change with the addition of two new teams and plenty of roster turnover all across the league.
 
"We know what some of the teams have coming," Kiefer said. "With the addition of Stephen F. Austin, who was probably the best team in the conference for 10 years when they were in it, it's really good for our league. Adding in a UTRGV with a really good coach, our league is just way deeper from top to bottom. This might be the most competitive that our conference has been."
 
The 2024-25 Lions basketball season begins on Mon., Nov. 4 as Southeastern welcomes William Carey to Hammond, America. Tip-off of the season opener against the Crusaders is set for 6:30 p.m. in the University Center.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.