Texas Southern Opens Season Against New Mexico
The 2023 SWAC Basketball Tournament Champions open their 2023-24 basketball season against New Mexico at 8:30 CT inside The Pit on Nov. 6.
The Tigers have not competed against New Mexico since 2015 in an all-time series that the Lobos dominate 6-1. TSU's only victory occurred in 1994 when vice president of athletics, Dr. Kevin Granger was starring on the team.
TSU's non-conference schedule for the men's basketball team in the 2023-24 season will feature games against seven teams that have participated in the NCAA Tournament, as well as two games to be played at their home court. Texas Southern had four home games against non-conference opponents last season, but this year most will be road games. In 2023-24, the Tigers will be playing nine consecutive road or neutral games at the beginning of the season, with their first home game not scheduled until Dec. 21.
March 15, 2023; Texas Southern with head basketball coach Johnny Jones talks about his players and the loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA First Four game. Credit: NCAA
Coach Jones has a record of 59 wins and 53 losses in the month of November, while at TSU he has a record of 7 wins and 23 losses. Under his six-year leadership at Texas Southern, Jones has managed to secure the last three SWAC Basketball Tournament Championships. The team aims to make history by earning their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid, a feat yet to be achieved. In the past 11 years, TSU has already appeared in the NCAA Tournament seven times, establishing themselves as a dominant force in the SWAC.
Despite coaching for 23 years, Coach Jones has tangled against five teams from the Mountain West in his career, resulting in a 1-6 record. His teams have defeated twice by Boise State and San Diego State, but suffered a loss against Nevada and Air Force, and emerged victorious against Wyoming.
The Texas Southern men's basketball team has been chosen as the top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's preseason poll for the fourth year in a row. Additionally, PJ Henry, a senior guard, has been selected as the 2023-24 SWAC Preseason Player of the Year.