Preview: Southern Miss at South Alabama Set for Sun Belt Showdown MOBILE, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging South Alabama squad looks to solidify its standing and complete a regular-season sweep when it hosts rival Southern Mississippi in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball game Friday at Mitchell Center. The Jaguars (20-9 overall) enter the final stretch of the season as one of the league’s hottest teams, having won seven of their last 10 games. They boast a potent offense, averaging 78.2 points per game in conference play, and will rely heavily on standout guard Chaze Harris. The dynamic playmaker is averaging 21.4 points and 5.6 assists over his last five contests, including a 26-point, 4-assist performance in the teams’ first meeting this season. South Alabama secured an 84-78 road victory over the Golden Eagles on Feb. 12, a game that saw Harris and Southern Miss guard Tylik Weeks trade blows in a high-scoring duel. Weeks will again be the focal point for the visiting Golden Eagles (15-15), who have struggled for consistency but remain dangerous. The guard is in the midst of a spectacular individual run, scoring 25 or more points in four of his last six games. He poured in 32 points in a win over Troy on Feb. 14 and followed that with 27 points against Old Dominion on Feb. 21. In the loss to Arkansas State last Tuesday, Weeks nearly posted a triple-double with 21 points and nine assists. Southern Miss, however, has lost three of its last four, with its defense allowing an average of 84.6 points in those defeats. Containing Harris and the Jaguars’ attack will be their primary challenge. The Jaguars have been strong at home this season, posting a 12-3 record at Mitchell Center. A win would bolster their seeding for the upcoming Sun Belt tournament and mark a significant step toward a 20-win regular season. For Southern Miss, the game represents a critical opportunity to level the season series and build momentum before the conference tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST on Friday, Feb. 27.