STWF Sports| NEW ORLEANS | Dec. 28, 2025 — After a two-week pause in their schedule, the University of New Orleans men’s basketball team returns to action with a challenging Southland Conference road swing that will help define the opening stretch of league play. The Privateers travel to Edinburg, Texas, to face UTRGV on Monday before closing the calendar year Wednesday night at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.
The break comes on the heels of a difficult nonconference matchup, as New Orleans fell 99–57 to No. 7 Houston on Dec. 13. While the final score was lopsided, the outing offered valuable experience against elite competition. MJ Thomas led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, finishing a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Mathok Majok added six points in eight minutes, continuing to provide efficient production in limited opportunities.
As conference play intensifies, the Privateers will lean heavily on the versatility of Jakevion Buckley, who has emerged as one of the most well-rounded players in the Southland. Buckley has recorded at least five rebounds in six games this season and matched that total with six games of five or more assists. He is currently the only player in the conference averaging at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, underscoring his importance on both ends of the floor.
New Orleans has also made a living at the free-throw line. The Privateers enter the week averaging 21.7 free-throw attempts per game, the third-highest mark in the conference. They have attempted at least 20 free throws in four straight games, including contests against Memphis and Houston. Coleton Benson has been a major contributor in that area, ranking 36th nationally in free-throw percentage at 90.3 percent, a reliability that could prove critical in tight conference games.
Monday’s matchup against UTRGV carries both historical and competitive intrigue. Since the Edinburg-based institutions merged in 2013 to form UTRGV, the two programs have met just three times. However, the Privateers faced UT–Pan American on 37 occasions between 1981 and 2013. One of the most memorable meetings came in the opening round of the 2018 College Basketball Invitational at Lakefront Arena, where New Orleans earned a 77–74 victory.
UTRGV enters the contest at 5–6 overall and 1–1 in Southland play. The Vaqueros last took the floor Dec. 20, rolling to a 109–51 win over the College of Biblical Studies, and they picked up their most recent league victory with an 83–72 win against Lamar. Balance has been a hallmark for UTRGV, with four players averaging between 9.2 and 12.1 points per game. Marvin McGehee III has been especially dangerous from long range, shooting 48.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Following Monday’s game, New Orleans will turn its attention to a New Year’s Eve showdown against Texas A&M–Corpus Christi. The Privateers have played nine games on Dec. 31 in program history and hold a 6–3 record in those contests, a trend they hope to continue as they ring in the new year.
The Islanders are 5–6 overall and 1–1 in conference play, coming off a dominant 93–36 win over Southwestern Adventist. However, their most recent Southland outing resulted in a 69–60 loss to Stephen F. Austin. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi is built on defense, ranking third in the conference by allowing just 67.6 points per game. Sheldon Williams anchors the interior and sits among the league’s top five rebounders at 7.2 per contest.
With two road tests looming, the Privateers will be tasked with rediscovering their rhythm quickly. Conference play leaves little margin for error, and the upcoming trip offers New Orleans an opportunity to establish momentum as the Southland schedule begins to take shape.
