LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU Men's Basketball returns to action this week riding one of the hottest stretches in program history, as the Fire open the new year with a pair of road contests. SEU will tip off the week on Thursday, at 2 p.m. against Thomas in Thomasville, Georgia, before traveling to Babson Park, Florida, for a Saturday, noon Sun Conference matchup at Webber International. Both games will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network and the UEN app on smart TVs and mobile devices.
The Fire enter the week with a 12–1 overall record and a perfect 3–0 mark in Sun Conference play. SEU has won 10 consecutive games, marking the program's longest winning streak since an 11-game run to open the 2017–18 season. SEU has been dominant in all settings this season, posting a 5–0 record at home, a 5–1 mark on the road, and a 2–0 showing at neutral sites.
Nationally, Southeastern has established itself as one of the NAIA's most efficient offensive teams. The Fire average 88.8 points per game, ranking 14th nationally, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, fourth-best in the country. SEU adds 36.4 percent shooting from three-point range and 72.6 percent at the free-throw line, while averaging 39.5 rebounds per contest. The Fire's +10.0 scoring margin ranks seventh nationally and reflects their ability to consistently control games.
Defensively, Southeastern continues to complement its scoring with balance and rebounding control. Opponents are limited to 73.8 points per game and just 31.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc, while the Fire rank seventh nationally in rebounding margin. The combination of offensive efficiency, rebounding dominance, and situational defense has fueled the current surge and kept SEU firmly in the national picture.
Individually, the Fire continue to be led by
Mylo Santos, who ranks fourth in the Sun Conference in scoring at 17.0 points per game. Santos has scored in double figures in 12 of 13 games this season, highlighted by a 32-point performance against Columbia (S.C.) and multiple 20-point outings in conference play. Logging heavy minutes on a nightly basis, he remains a steady two-way presence capable of creating offense late in possessions.
Inside,
Daivion Traylor has delivered elite efficiency and physicality in the paint. Traylor has produced five 20-point games while shooting near 80 percent from the field, including perfect shooting performances against Beacon College and Embry-Riddle (AZ). He has also recorded six games with double-digit rebounds, giving Southeastern a reliable interior scoring and rebounding presence.
Anchoring the frontcourt,
Nathan Mikkelson ranks second in the Sun Conference in rebounding at 9.4 boards per game and third in blocks at 1.8 per contest. Mikkelson has posted six double-digit rebounding performances and nine double-figure scoring games, serving as the Fire's primary rim protector and a consistent inside option on both ends of the floor.
On the perimeter,
Jayson Nixon has emerged as one of Southeastern's most dangerous shooters and facilitators. Nixon leads the team in made three-pointers and has delivered multiple explosive outings, including back-to-back games of 23 and 24 points, while stretching defenses and creating opportunities for others within the offense.
Rounding out Southeastern's core contributors is
Anthony Kangah, who has supplied consistent scoring and perimeter efficiency off the wing. Kangah has reached double figures in seven games and delivered several high-impact shooting performances, including a five three-pointer night against Embry-Riddle (AZ), providing valuable spacing and scoring depth.
Thomas enters the contest with a 3–8 overall record. The Night Hawks are 1–3 at home this season and average 72.5 points per game, relying on pressure defense to create transition opportunities while ranking among the conference leaders in steals. Despite the record, Thomas has remained competitive in several outings and will look to protect its home floor.
Historically, Southeastern holds a 13–10 advantage in the all-time series with Thomas dating back to the first meeting in 2013. The Fire have won two straight in the series and four of the last six overall, including a 79–74 road victory earlier this season on October 31. The matchup has often produced physical, closely contested games, particularly in Thomasville.
Webber enters Saturday's contest with a 6–8 overall record and a 1–1 mark in league play. The Warriors are 4–4 at home and average 74.5 points per game, leaning heavily on perimeter scoring and ranking among the conference leaders in three-point makes per contest. Webber's ability to stretch the floor presents a key challenge as Southeastern looks to remain unbeaten in conference play.
Southeastern has controlled the recent history of the series with Webber, owning a 24–10 advantage overall dating back to the first meeting in 2001. The Fire have won eight straight against the Warriors and nine of the last 10 meetings, including road victories in Babson Park during the 2024–25 season. Despite the rivalry's tendency to produce close finishes, Southeastern has consistently found success in the matchup in recent years.
From a metrics standpoint, the Fire are currently receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll and sit 43rd in the NAIA RPI as of December 15, with the next RPI release scheduled for January 5. Southeastern is ranked 28th in the Massey Ratings, with additional evaluation tools approaching later in the month, including NAIA Quadrant Records on January 19 and the NAIA ARC ratings release on January 20.
Following this week's road trip, Southeastern will remain away from Lakeland for another Sun Conference matchup, traveling to Keiser on Wednesday, January 7, before returning home to The Furnace on Saturday, January 10, to host New College of Florida.
