Men's Basketball Opens 2023-24 Season with First Official Practice

Southern Miss Golden Eagles guard Neftali Alvarez (2) gets the crowd excited in a game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns . February 9, 2023 (Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com)

Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com

Men's Basketball Opens 2023-24 Season with First Official Practice

9/26/2023 4:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Year five of the Jay Ladner era officially opened on Tuesday as the Southern Miss men's basketball team hosted its first official practice of the 2023-24 season.

"We had been going four hours per week but it's finally good to get started and get going," Ladner said. "We're now able to go up to 20 hours a week, so we are able to get a lot more done and cover things in more detail without feeling rushed. I thought our experienced players looked like they were experienced and they're setting the standard for our new guys."

The reigning Sun Belt Conference regular season champions hit the weight room before taking the floor at Reed Green Coliseum. The Golden Eagles went through a series of warmup drills, including an intense 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 box out drill under the hoop to set the tone for the opening day. The squad then went into offensive and defensive drills for a couple hours in front of fans and media members.

Southern Miss returns a pair of starters in Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Austin Crowley and Picayune native Mo Arnold. Crowley's breakout campaign saw the West Point native earn Lou Henson All-America, NABC All-District 23 and First Team All-Sun Belt honors. The then-junior led all Golden Eagles in scoring at 16.0 points per game and finished with 63 steals. Arnold started 30 ball games last season and averaged 4.6 points per game to go along with 97 assists.

"Our backcourt is going to be our strength," Ladner said. "Mo Arnold has had an incredible offseason. Neftali Alvarez and Cobie Montgomery know our system, but I'm really proud of the way Austin Crowley has shown his leadership. He's one our hardest workers and he had some great role models last season to show him how to be a leader."

The Golden Eagles also return Neftali Alvarez (Catano, Puerto Rico), Donovan Ivory (Kaukauna, Wisc.), Victor Hart (Miami, Fla.), Jeffery Armstrong (Rainsville, Ala.), Trey Alfonso (Chalmette, La.) and Tate Ryder (Oak Grove, Miss.).

Seven newcomers grace the men's basketball roster: Victor Iwuakor (Abuja, Nigeria), Luke Ladner (Kiln, Miss.), Andre Curbelo (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico), Tegra Izay (Montreal, Canada), Jose Benitez (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), Bryson Hall (Northport, Ala.) and Lieb Yat (Melbourne, Australia). Iwuakor makes his way to Hattiesburg by way of UNLV and Oklahoma, Curbelo is a former Big Ten All-Freshman player from Illinois and St. John's.

Ladner joins his father in the Hub City after four years at Loyola (La.), which saw the guard win an NAIA National Championship. Izay most recently played at Harcum College and started his collegiate career at La Salle. Jose Benitez comes from Francis Marion (DII), while Hall comes from Wallace State. Yat spent last season at Seminole State College.

Fans can get a glimpse of the Golden Eagles on Tuesday, Oct. 24 when they host Delta State in an exhibition at Reed Green Coliseum. They will then play host to Mississippi State on Sunday, Oct. 29 in a charity game. More information on the game against the Bulldogs will be out at a later date.

The Golden Eagles open the 2023-24 season on Nov. 6 against William Carey. Season Tickets are available for the 2023-24 season. Fans can purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.