The University of Southern Mississippi men’s basketball team is set to return to the Pensacola Invitational at the Pensacola Bay Center this November, after winning the tournament last year. The Golden Eagles defeated North Florida and UT Martin en route to the championship, according to team officials.
Southern Miss head coach Jay Ladner expressed enthusiasm about participating again. “We are excited to be participating in the Pensacola Invitational again this year,” he said. “It gave us an advantage last year to play two games at the Pensacola Bay Center before the Sun Belt Tournament in March. I expect the same this year, and our team agrees. It’s a short trip for our fans, so I anticipate strong support.”
The Golden Eagles will face Nicholls on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. and Valparaiso on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. Last season, Southern Miss posted a 3-1 record at the arena during the Sun Belt Tournament and finished with an overall 5-1 mark at the venue. Isaac Taveras scored 32 points in the semifinal against Troy.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. CT Friday, September 11, at the Pensacola Bay Center and the Pensacola Invitational website. Additional tournament details will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can stay updated by visiting the venues’ websites and following @russpottsproductionsinc and @pensacolainvitational on social media.
Owned by Virginia-based Russ Potts Productions Inc., the event organizer has hosted more than 900 college and professional sports events over 40 years. The 2026-27 schedule includes over a dozen high-profile college basketball games featuring more than 40 programs nationwide.
The Pensacola Bay Center, opened in 1985 and operated by Legends Global, is a major entertainment and sports venue in Florida’s Gulf Coast region. It is home to the Pensacola Ice Flyers, a professional hockey team in the SPHL that has won multiple championships.
