LAKELAND, Fla. -- Southeastern Men's Basketball returns to Sun Conference action this week with a two-game slate that features one road test and one major home matchup. The Fire travel to Miami Gardens on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. contest at St. Thomas before returning to Lakeland on Saturday to host No. 11 Keiser at 7 p.m. inside The Furnace. Both games carry significant conference implications as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Fans can follow both games live on the Urban Edge Network App, available on mobile devices and smart TVs, as well as through the network's online platform. The broadcasts provide full live coverage for Sun Conference matchups throughout the season.
Southeastern enters the week at 19-4 overall and 8-3 in Sun Conference play. The Fire are 9-1 at home, 8-3 on the road, and 2-0 at neutral sites while currently riding a one-game win streak. SEU has positioned itself among the conference contenders thanks to consistent scoring depth and strong play on both ends of the floor.
Nationally, Southeastern continues to rank among the NAIA's top offensive teams. The Fire average 86.7 points per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. SEU also averages 38.5 rebounds per game and ranks 11th in the nation in rebound margin (+7.7).
Defensively, the Fire allow 76.1 points per game and hold opponents to 44.8 percent shooting, numbers that reflect a balanced approach on both ends
Mylo Santos leads Southeastern and ranks among the Sun Conference's top scorers at 17.7 points per game. He also averages 1.9 steals per contest, placing him among the league leaders defensively. Santos has started all 23 games and plays over 32 minutes per night, providing the Fire with a consistent offensive engine.
Daivion Traylor has been one of the most efficient post players in the conference, averaging 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 74.2 percent from the field. His finishing ability around the rim gives SEU a reliable interior scoring option.
Nathan Mikkelson anchors the paint for the Fire, averaging 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game — both marks among the Sun Conference leaders. His presence inside has helped Southeastern maintain one of the top rebounding margins in the country.
On the perimeter,
Jayson Nixon provides a major shooting threat. He averages 12.3 points per game and has made 60 three-pointers at a 42.6 percent clip. His ability to stretch the floor complements Southeastern's inside attack.
Anthony Kangah rounds out the Fire's core contributors, averaging 12.0 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. His scoring versatility adds another dimension to SEU's already balanced offense.
St. Thomas enters the matchup at 13-10 overall and 5-6 in Sun Conference play, showing balance on both ends of the floor. The Bobcats average 74.6 points per game while allowing 73.0, and they hold a strong +7.1 rebounding margin behind 37.4 boards per contest. Adrian Cruz leads the offense at 18.7 points per game and ranks among the league leaders in assists, while Kaleb Myers adds 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game to anchor the interior. St. Thomas also relies heavily on the three-point shot, averaging 8.5 made threes per game as a team.
The all-time series between Southeastern and St. Thomas dates back to 2007 and has featured several tight contests in recent seasons. Over the last 10 meetings, Southeastern holds a 6-4 edge, including a 98-90 victory earlier this season in Lakeland. The matchup history shows plenty of swings, with six of the last 10 games decided by single digits and one going to overtime. Southeastern has won three of the last four meetings, but St. Thomas has proven capable of protecting its home floor, setting up another competitive chapter in the rivalry.
No. 11 Keiser enters the week at 18-3 overall and 8-2 in Sun Conference play, establishing itself as one of the league's top teams on both ends of the floor. The Seahawks average 83.4 points per game while allowing just 67.8, ranking among the conference leaders in scoring margin (+15.7). Keiser also controls the glass with a +10.1 rebound margin and nearly 40 rebounds per game. Camerin James leads the way at 17.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest, while Jackson Slater adds 10.4 points and ranks among the league leaders in assists. Defensively, Keiser is a force, averaging 9.3 steals and 5.8 blocks per game as a team.
The Southeastern–Keiser series dates back to 2008 and has been one of the Sun Conference's most competitive rivalries. Over the last 10 meetings, Keiser holds a slight 6-4 edge, including an 84-62 win earlier this season in West Palm Beach. The series has featured several close contests, with four of the last 10 games decided by single digits and one going to overtime. Southeastern won four straight in the series from 2022 through early 2023, but Keiser has taken momentum recently, winning four of the last five matchups entering Saturday's meeting.
Looking ahead, Southeastern will remain on the road for another pair of Sun Conference contests next week. The Fire travel to Sarasota on Wednesday, February 11 for a 7 p.m. matchup with New College of Florida before heading to Lake Wales on Saturday, February 14 for a 4 p.m. tip at Warner. Both games will be key opportunities for SEU to continue building momentum in conference play as the postseason approaches.
