LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Southeastern University men's basketball team begins its 2025-26 campaign on Friday night inside The Furnace, hosting Thomas University at 7 p.m. The Fire look to build on the foundation set during head coach
Hudson Welty's first season at the helm, as the program advanced to the Sun Conference Tournament championship game last year.
Southeastern finished the 2024-25 season with a 14-17 overall record and an even 8-8 mark in conference play, showing flashes of high-powered offense and elite perimeter shooting throughout the year. The Fire ranked 13th nationally in three-pointers made per game (10.1) while shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, part of an attack that averaged 82.6 points per contest.
The Fire's offensive balance was supported by efficient ball movement—ranking 28th in the NAIA with 16 assists per game—and an offensive efficiency rating of 1.121, good for 33rd in the nation. On the boards, Southeastern averaged 35.3 rebounds per outing with a narrow positive margin, while limiting turnovers to 12.5 per game.
After finishing 9-6 at home last season, SEU looks to continue its strong play inside The Furnace to open the year. Friday night's matchup marks the start of a new chapter as the Fire aim to return to the top of the Sun Conference and make another postseason run.
Tune In to the Tip-Off
Fans can follow every moment of Friday night's season opener as the Fire take on Thomas inside The Furnace. The game will stream live on the Urban Edge Network app—available on smart TVs and mobile devices—or online at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN. Live stats can be tracked in real time at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/mbball, and tickets for the home opener are available now at
fire.seu.edu/tickets.
Back for More Fire
Southeastern brings back a solid core of five returners from last season's squad, giving the Fire a foundation of experience and toughness heading into the new campaign. Together, the group accounted for 24.7% of the team's minutes, 24.0% of its scoring, and 28.9% of its rebounding output a year ago. That returning presence also contributed 12.1% of assists, 18.0% of steals, and an impressive 46.6% of the team's blocked shots, underscoring their value on both ends of the floor.
Reliable Firepower
Back for his fifth season with the Fire, forward
Nathan Mikkelson returns as one of Southeastern's most efficient and dependable scoring threats. Mikkelson averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season while shooting a blistering 59.8% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and finish inside makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses, while his 21 blocks and 17 steals highlight his impact on the defensive end. With over 700 minutes played a year ago, Mikkelson's experience and consistency will again serve as a cornerstone for SEU's frontcourt in 2025-26.
Steady at the Core
Guard
Diego Platas returns to the Fire lineup as a steady presence on both ends of the court after starting 22 of 28 games last season. The Mexico City native averaged 7.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per contest, shooting 53.3% from the floor while contributing 23 steals. Known for his toughness and efficiency, Platas brings poise and reliability to Southeastern's backcourt rotation. His ability to defend, attack the rim, and find open teammates will be key in helping the Fire's offense flow smoothly as he steps into a leadership role among the team's returners.
A New Wave of Fire
SEU's 2025-26 roster features a complete infusion of new talent, as 13 newcomers join the Fire this season—creating a deep and diverse lineup. The backcourt gets a major boost from transfers
Jarin Edwards (Hawai'i Hilo),
Jayson Nixon (Freed-Hardeman),
Mylo Santos (Fresno Pacific),
Karl Knighten (Polk State), and
Anthony Kangah (Phoenix College)—a group combining size, speed, and experience at multiple levels. On the wings,
Daniel Sohn (UT Dallas) and
Jabi Alberto (Bryant & Stratton) add versatility and length, while
Daivion Traylor (Mississippi Delta CC) brings athleticism and strength to the frontcourt.
A strong crop of underclassmen adds youthful energy and long-term potential. Freshmen
David Sanchez,
LaDavian King, and
Micah Taber, along with sophomore
Isaac Bealer and freshman
Ethan Herndon, give the Fire additional shooting, size, and depth across all positions. Together, this group's mix of veteran savvy and youthful talent positions Southeastern for an exciting new chapter and a push toward the top of the Sun Conference standings.
Scouting the Night Hawks
Thomas University enters Friday's contest at 1-1 after an overtime win over Warner and a road loss to Coastal Georgia. The Night Hawks are averaging 75 points per game while holding a narrow rebounding margin, pulling down 41.5 boards per outing. Senior guard Tyson Anderson leads the offensive charge with 18.5 points per game, while Jonathan Goldson adds 13.5 points and a steady presence at the free throw line, shooting 87.5%. Forward Michael Smith provides strong interior production at 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, and Je'hvonni Hogan anchors the glass with 9.5 rebounds per contest.
Friday marks the 23rd all-time meeting between Southeastern and Thomas, with the Fire holding a 12-10 series advantage dating back to 2013. The two programs have split the last ten matchups evenly at 5-5, highlighting the competitive nature of the rivalry. SEU is 6-5 at home and 6-5 on the road, reflecting just how tight this series has been over the years. The Fire took the most recent meeting in January 2023 with a 65-62 win in Thomasville, and will look to extend their current win streak in the series when the teams meet again inside The Furnace.
Road-Tested Early
After opening the season at home, Southeastern will hit the road for a three-game swing through the Carolinas. The Fire travel first to Spartanburg Methodist College on Wednesday, November 5, for a midweek matchup before heading to Columbia, South Carolina, for back-to-back contests at Columbia International University on Friday, November 7, and Columbia College on Saturday, November 8. The early stretch offers a valuable chance for SEU to test its depth, chemistry, and road composure before returning home for the next leg of non-conference play.
