University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Elite Promotions, Doubleheader Matchup Inside Reed Green Coliseum on Saturday
12/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss basketball fans should have their calendars free for Saturday as longtime rivals Tulane and No. 5 Mississippi State come in for a 2 p.m. doubleheader. The Lady Eagles begin the action with the men facing the Green Wave at approximately 4:30 p.m., and festivities for the game include the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich's introduction, a major Youth Sports Day package with unbeatable rates, and recognition of both the Golden Eagle football and track and field teams.
The men will not be home again until Jan. 1, with the women gone till Jan. 12. Mississippi State's grinding 78-65 win in Starkville last season also broke what was a 19-19 tie in the all-time rivalry with the Lady Eagles. Southern Miss has defeated Tulane in 12 of the last 14 meetings, including a nine-game streak from 2010-14. Those two squads have met 78 times in their history.
"As coaches, we know how important those crowds and the spirit groups can be," men's basketball head coach Doc Sadler said. "I promise, that if people come out and get behind these teams, we are going to get some extra wins. Not only that, but it creates an atmosphere that's exciting to be a part of."
Southern Miss is offering an unbelievable deal for its Youth Sports Day. At just an eight-dollar all-inclusive rate, children will get tickets to both games and take part in pre- and postgame experiences with the Golden Eagles. For more information beyond the flyer, contact Calleagh Brown at (601) 266-4559 or calleagh.brown@usm.edu.
The entertainment factor goes beyond the rivalries playing out on the court. The Pride of Mississippi marching band will perform at each game and Santa Claus will be there all afternoon for pictures with children. Gold Southern Miss t-shirts will also be given out to the first 200 students at the women's game.
The Golden Eagle football team will be recognized at halftime of the men's game for one final salute to the fans before heading out to their bowl destination. Those still wishing to make their way to the game can combine it with their basketball outing by purchasing tickets at the north entrance of Reed Green Coliseum.
Five Southern Miss track and field athletes will also receive their C-USA Championship rings on the court during the afternoon. Two of those, Elbert Rogers and Mariam Kromah, broke school records over the previous season, and Kromah represented Liberia in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
