Men’s Basketball Announces 2020-21 Schedule

The Texas Southern men’s basketball team announced its 2020-21 basketball schedule today which features 26 total contests and eight non-conference match-ups.

Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on collegiate sports in general, the Tigers were forced to make several adjustments to their previously scheduled matchups as the NCAA pushed the start date back to Nov. 25. Despite the changes, head coach Johnny Jones and staff managed to assemble and finalize a challenging schedule which features teams from the Pac-12, West Coast, SEC, Big 12 and Mountain West Conferences.

“I want to commend my staff and everyone involved in formulating this schedule,” said head coach Johnny Jones. “It was a challenging process which required patience but I think we put together a formidable schedule against some of the top teams in the nation which will prepare us for conference play and beyond.”

The Tigers open the 2020-21 season tonight in Pullman, Wash. at Washington State of the Pac-12 as it marks the second time in four seasons TSU makes the trek to the Great Northwest. The last time TSU was in Pullman in 2017, the contest came down to the wire as WSU prevailed in overtime.

Three days later on Nov. 28, the Tigers head to Stillwater, Okla. to face Oklahoma State for the first time since 2006. After a day off, TSU heads to Laramie, Wy. to square off against Wyoming on Monday, Nov. 30 as TSU will face Wyoming for the second time in four years. The Tigers will have two days off before heading back to the West Coast for a match-up with Saint Mary’s on Thursday, Dec. 3 for first time ever. 

After a well-needed break, TSU is back on the court on Tuesday, Dec. 15 against Auburn. The Tigers will travel east of the Mississippi for the first time this season as both teams haven’t met since since 2014. Six days later, the Tigers travel to Utah for a meeting against BYU in Provo as both teams last played in 2017.

Two days later, TSU is back in California as they’ll square off against Southern Cal on Dec. 23 in Los Angeles for their first-ever meeting against the Trojans. The non-conference schedule will wrap up on Wednesday, Dec. 30 as TSU plays in Texas for the first time this season at TCU.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 2 as TSU travels to Alcorn State and Southern on Monday, Jan. 4 followed by a game at Prairie View A&M on Jan. 9. The first scheduled home games of the 2020-21 season is set for Saturday, Jan. 16 against Grambling State and Jackson State on Monday, Jan. 18. TSU heads to the Mississippi Delta for a two-game swing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Jan. 23) and Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 25. The Tigers close out round one of SWAC play at home against Alabama State (Jan. 30) and Alabama A&M (Feb. 1).

Round two of SWAC begins on Saturday, Feb. 6 at home against Prairie View A&M. The Tigers are headed back on the road Feb. 13 (Grambling State) and Feb. 15 (Jackson State) before returning to H&PE for four of its final six games as Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State come to town on Feb. 20 and Feb. 22. After quick trip to Alabama for games at Alabama State (Feb. 27) and Alabama A&M (Feb. 29), TSU closes out the regular season at home versus Alcorn State (March 4) and Southern University (March 6). The first round of the SWAC Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9 as the top four teams in the league will open at home followed by the semifinals and championship rounds at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

The schedule is subject to change as the SWAC and Texas Southern University will remain prepared to make any necessary adjustments identified to be in the best interest of the health, safety and wellness of its student-athletes. Additional contests may be added once finalized.