Sun Belt Showdown Features Hot-Shooting Stars

CONWAY, S.C. (Interstat) — Two teams riding opposite momentum waves but boasting identical records will clash Saturday when Southern Mississippi visits Coastal Carolina in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball matchup.

The Golden Eagles (11-9, 3-4 Sun Belt) and Chanticleers (11-9, 4-3) will tip off at 4 p.m. EST at the HTC Center, both looking to solidify their standing in the league’s crowded middle tier.

Southern Mississippi arrives seeking to halt a two-game skid, including a 74-67 loss at Texas State last Saturday. Coastal Carolina, meanwhile, has won three straight, most recently a 79-75 overtime victory at Georgia Southern.

The game features a compelling duel between two of the conference’s premier scorers. Southern Mississippi is powered by guard Tylik Weeks, who is averaging 21.1 points over his last seven games. He dropped 24 points in the loss to Texas State and has scored 20 or more in five of those contests.

Coastal Carolina counters with guard RaSheed Jones, coming off a career-high 28 points in 41 minutes against Georgia Southern. Jones has been a workhorse, logging 40-plus minutes in two of the last three games and providing consistent offensive punch.

Both teams have shown a tendency for close games. Southern Mississippi’s last five contests have been decided by an average of 8.2 points, including an 80-70 overtime win over Texas State on Jan. 8. Coastal Carolina’s current win streak includes two victories by four points or fewer.

The Golden Eagles will need to improve their road form, where they are 1-2 in conference play. The Chanticleers have found a rhythm at home in league action, winning two straight at HTC Center after dropping their first two Sun Belt home games.

Southern Mississippi leads the all-time series 8-5, but Coastal Carolina won the last meeting, 66-63, on Feb. 10, 2025.

With both teams at .500 overall and jockeying for position in the Sun Belt, Saturday’s contest offers a critical opportunity to build momentum for the second half of the conference schedule. The team that can best contain the other’s star guard may hold the key to securing a valuable conference victory.