The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team heads to Louisiana to open Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) play against Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and Dillard University in back-to-back contests on December 9 and 11, respectively. This will be the team’s first GCAC action as this is the University’s inaugural year competing in their new conference.  

 

UVI enters this road trip at 2-2 on the season and seeks to make a statement in conference play as the team was predicted to finish 10th in the GCAC. Averaging 85 points per game, the team is currently on a two-game winning streak and will look to extend that streak over the weekend.  

 

The Buccaneers are led offensively by four players who are averaging double digits in points thus far this year, Maurice Smith, Jr., Jalil Langston, Naythan Shaw-Clarke, and Jalen Monroe. Smith, Jr., and Langston are tied as the team’s leading scorers as both average 13 points per game for the Buccaneers. Monroe and Shaw-Clarke are close behind averaging 12.5 and 11.5, respectively.  

 

Shaw-Clarke leads the team in assists and is also tied with Smith, Jr. for the most rebounds per game with 6.8 rebounds.  


 The Buccaneers’ first opponent, SUNO comes into the matchup 0-12 overall and 0-2 in the GCAC and is currently in 10th place in the conference. Dillard University sits in the middle of the pack at fifth place as they are 5-4, 1-1. 

 

On Saturday, UVI’s matchup with SUNO will tip off at 5 p.m. CST, while Monday’s game at Dillard University will begin at 7:30 p.m. CST. Both games can be viewed live on the HBCU+ app on Channel 120.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   About UVI Athletics

 

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and, as of July 1, 2023, competes in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Entering the 2023-24 season, the Buccaneers will begin their 17th season of athletic competition. As the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Caribbean, UVI currently sponsors six sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. For more information on UVI Athletics, visit UVIAthletics.com.