As I sit down to reflect on Southern Mississippi's 2023 basketball season, I can't help but feel a mix of pride and anticipation. Having followed this team for over a decade, I've witnessed both triumphant victories and heartbreaking defeats, but this particular season stood out for its remarkable blend of emerging talent and veteran leadership. The journey began with cautious optimism back in November, but what unfolded exceeded even my most hopeful expectations.
The turning point came during that unforgettable game against the Stags in February, where we witnessed something truly special. While our Golden Eagles ultimately secured the victory, I must admit I came away deeply impressed by the Stags' performance, particularly from Dela Rama who delivered an absolutely phenomenal double-double with exactly 20 points and 15 rebounds. Those numbers aren't just statistics – they represent relentless effort and court presence that kept the Stags competitive throughout the game. And let's not forget Onell Castor's contribution of 13 points, which demonstrated the kind of balanced offensive threat that makes opponents lose sleep. Watching that game from my usual seat in Reed Green Coliseum, I remember thinking how these individual performances, even from opposing teams, ultimately make our conference stronger and more competitive.
What really excites me about our current roster is the development of our younger players alongside our experienced core. I've noticed Coach Ladner implementing strategic adjustments throughout the season that paid dividends when it mattered most. Our defensive schemes evolved significantly from November to March, and the statistics prove it – we improved our defensive rating by nearly 8 points per 100 possessions compared to last season. Offensively, we saw a more distributed scoring load, with six different players leading the team in scoring across various games. This versatility, in my professional opinion, creates nightmares for opposing coaches trying to game plan against us.
Looking ahead to next season, I'm genuinely optimistic about our prospects, though I do see areas needing improvement. Our three-point shooting percentage hovered around 34.7% this season, which places us squarely in the middle of the conference pack. If we can boost that to the 38-40% range while maintaining our defensive intensity, we could transform from a good team into a truly great one. The recruitment class coming in shows promise, particularly that 6'8" forward from Mobile who averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds in his senior year. Having spoken with several scouts in our region, I believe he could make an immediate impact, especially if he adds about 15 pounds of muscle over the summer.
The conference landscape is shifting, and we need to adapt. With several key players graduating from rival teams, including two first-team all-conference selections from Louisiana Tech, the opportunity is there for Southern Mississippi to establish itself as the premier program in our division. I'd love to see us schedule more challenging non-conference games – perhaps against Power Five opponents – to better prepare for postseason play. Our 2-3 record against top-50 RPI teams this season suggests we can compete at that level, but we need more consistent execution in those high-pressure situations.
From my perspective as someone who's analyzed hundreds of college basketball games, the most encouraging sign this season was our team's resilience. We won four games when trailing by double digits in the second half, demonstrating a mental toughness that championship teams possess. The leadership from our senior class, particularly in close games, provided the stability younger players needed to develop confidence. I'll always remember that overtime victory against UAB where we erased a 12-point deficit with under seven minutes remaining – that wasn't just a win, it was a statement about our program's character.
As we look toward the future, I'm convinced that sustained success hinges on two factors: continued development of our current roster and strategic recruiting focused on length and athleticism. The game is evolving toward positionless basketball, and we need versatile defenders who can switch across multiple positions. Our strength and conditioning program will be crucial this offseason – increasing our vertical leap averages by just 2-3 inches across the roster could significantly improve our rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities. Having reviewed the advanced analytics, I believe we're approximately 12-18 months away from consistently competing for conference championships if we maintain our current trajectory.
The foundation has been laid, and the culture appears stronger than at any point in recent memory. What encourages me most isn't just the wins and losses, but the way this team represents our university and community. The players' academic achievements – with a collective 3.2 GPA this semester – demonstrate the type of well-rounded program we're building. As we turn the page to next season, I'm more invested than ever in following this program's journey. The pieces are there for something special, and if we can build on this season's highlights while addressing our weaknesses, the future of Southern Mississippi basketball looks exceptionally bright.