# Southern Miss Golden Eagles basketball

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at the University of Southern Mississippi. The school competes in the Sun Belt Conference in Division I of the NCAA and plays their home games at Reed Green Coliseum, which has a capacity of 8,095. The Golden Eagles have appeared three times in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, most recently in 2012.

## History

From its first season (1912–13), when Coach R. G. Slay led the team to a 3–0 record, the men's basketball team has enjoyed its share of success. Coach A. B. Dille took over coaching duties the following year. The Golden Eagles have appeared in the NAIA National Tournament four times in a row (1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955). Southern Miss had a 2–4 record in the NAIA Tournament.
Over the years, the Golden Eagles have had three NCAA tournament teams (1990, 1991, 2012). The program has also had an NIT Championship team with its run in the 1987 postseason tournament. In all the Eagles have earned ten NIT bids: 1981, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2013, 2014 and 2023.
They also earned a CIT bid in 2010 and a CBI bid in 2019.
The team has had six players drafted including Clarence Weatherspoon. Southern Miss has won three conference championships in basketball including the 2023 outright regular-season title.

## Postseason
### NCAA tournament results

Southern Miss Golden Eagles have appeared in three NCAA tournaments. They have an overall 0–3 record in tournament games. Darrin Chancellor holds the Southern Miss single-tournament scoring record with 24 points in 1991.
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1990 | #13 | Round of 64 | #4 LaSalle | L 63–79 |
| 1991 | #11 | Round of 64 | #6 NC State | L 85–114 |
| 2012 | #9 | Round of 64 | #8 Kansas State | L 64–70 |

### NIT results

The Golden Eagles have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 11 times. Their combined record is 11–10 and they were NIT Champions in 1987.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1981 | First Round | Holy Cross | L 54–58 |
| 1986 | First Round | Florida | L 71–81 |
| 1987 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals | Mississippi Saint Louis Vanderbilt Nebraska La Salle | W 93–75 W 83–78 W 95–88 W 82–75 W 84–80 |
| 1988 | First Round Second Round | Clemson VCU | W 74–69 L 89–93 |
| 1994 | First Round | Clemson | L 85–96 |
| 1995 | First Round | St. Bonaventure | L 70–75 |
| 1998 | First Round | Auburn | L 62–77 |
| 2001 | First Round | Mississippi State | L 68–75 |
| 2013 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Charleston Southern Louisiana Tech BYU | W 78–71 W 63–52 L 62–79 |
| 2014 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Toledo Missouri Minnesota | W 66–59 W 71–63 L 73–81 |
| 2023 | First Round | UAB | L 60–88 |

### CIT

The Golden Eagles have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) one time. Their record is 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2010 | First Round | Louisiana Tech | L 57–66 |

### CBI

The Golden Eagles have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 0–1
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2019 | First Round | Longwood | L 68–90 |

### NAIA tournament results

The Golden Eagles have appeared in the NAIA Tournament four times. Their combined record is 2–4.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1952 | First Round | New Mexico State | L 70–86 |
| 1953 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | River Falls State Loyola (MD) Hamline | W 106–72 W 94–83 L 92–102 |
| 1954 | First Round | Gustavus Adolphus | L 64–104 |
| 1955 | First Round | Steubenville | L 62–79 |

## Notable alumni

* Joe Dawson '82 – former professional basketball player, 1992 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
* Randolph Keys '88 – former NBA basketball player, 1st Round draft pick (retired)
* Wendell Ladner '70 – former ABA player (deceased)
* Don Maestri '68 – men's basketball head coach Troy University
* Kelly McCarty '98 – former professional basketball player
* Elvin Mims '02 – PBL, USBL, NBL player, 6x champion
* Clarence Weatherspoon '92 – former NBA basketball player