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The Southeastern Louisiana University men’s basketball team begins the 2021-22 season under third-year head coach David Kiefer Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against Tulane at Fogelman Arena.

The Lions (8-18, 5-10 Southland in 2020-21), under Kiefer, are picked to finish third in the Southland and have plenty of reason for optimism moving towards Tuesday’s opener.

SLU will have the leadership of returning preseason All-Southland selections Keon Clergeot and Gus Okafor for a difficult non-conference slate to begin the season starting Tuesday with the Green Wave.

Clergeot (Sr. -6-1 -190 – G) led the Lions in scoring a year ago averaging 15.9 points per game. The Winter Haven, Florida native was selected to the Southland preseason first team after the senior finished last season with 154 made free throws in 192 attempts. The Lions’ floor general scored in double digits in 18 straight games to end the regular season last year.

Okafor (Jr. – 6-6 – 230 – F) was second on the team in scoring at 12.7 per contest. The second team preseason All-Southland selection showed his versatility as he led the Lions in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and steals (31).

The Green Wave (10-13, 4-12 American Athletic Conference in 2020-21) enter the season under third-year head coach Ron Hunter. Tulane will look to second team preseason All-AAC Jaylen Forbes who averaged 16.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.

Tulane leads the all-time series over Southeastern 11-3, including a 76-55 victory over the Lions in the 2019-20 season-opener. However, the Lions stunned the Green Wave back on Dec. 1, 2018, 62-61. Former Lion Marlain Veal drilled a three-pointer with two seconds left helping SLU erase an 11-point hole with 5:01 left in the game, sending the Lions to a thrilling win at Fogelman Arena.

Fans traveling to Tulane for the game must either have proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of Tuesday’s game. Original cards or the LA Wallet app can be presented as proof of vaccination. Pictures of vaccination cards will need to include both sides of the card.

Fans can watch Tuesday’s game on ESPN+ with links to video and stats available on the Southeastern men’s basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

Following Tuesday’s matchup with Tulane, SLU will open the home portion of the schedule Friday night at 7 p.m. when they host Southeastern Baptist College.

HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

TICKETS

For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.