HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team will suit up Monday at 7 p.m. to face Ole Miss in its 2025-26 season opener in the Tad Smith Coliseum.
Southeastern will start the 2025-26 season with its first major road test against Ole Miss. Monday's game will mark the 20th meeting between the Lions and the Rebels as the contest will be televised on SEC Network+ and can be heard on KSLU 90.9 The Lion. Live stats, provided by the hosts, can be accessed on the men's basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
The Lions will kick off the season being battle tested, rebuilding around five returners from the 2024-25 season that finished 18-14 overall and 12-8 in Southland Conference play. Reigning SLC Freshman of the Year Jeremy Elyzee averaged 10.4 points per game and 5.0 rebounds as one of the top three scorers from last season's roster. Southeastern will heavily rely on its depth with 10 newcomers added to usher in a tenacious, up-tempo style of play under seventh-year head coach David Kiefer.
SLU provided a sneak peek with a 101-83 exhibition victory over Mississippi College Wednesday in the University Center. Southeastern took control early, outscoring the Choctaws, 56-33, in the first half to later battle with an 18-point win. Fifth-year transfer Isaiah Gaines led all scorers with 25 points and seven rebounds as a dominant force in the paint. Elyzee (16 points) and Ethan Picket (14 points) also followed up in double-figures, alongside freshman Peter Hemschemeier with 13 points and four assists.
Ole Miss is returning from a successful run last season, finishing 24-12 overall and 10-8 in SEC play. The Rebels made program history with the most made three-pointers (300), fewest turnovers per game (9.00), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.57) in a single season. Though returning only one starter, Malik Dia, from the 2024-25 season that claimed a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance, Ole Miss also worked to reload this offseason.
The Rebels added alongside Dia, who averaged 10.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds, a recruiting class ranked No.14 in the nation. Ole Miss strengthened its roster with an influx of talent in eight transfers and four freshmen.
Following Monday's game, Southeastern will continue on the road to face UL-Lafayette Friday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Friday's matchup against the Ragin' Cajuns will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
