LIVINGSTON, Ala. - After an impressive win over Valdosta State on Thursday, the University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team travels to Pensacola, Florida for a 4:00 p.m. matchup against West Florida on Saturday.
West Alabama (5-1, 1-0 GSC) comes into Saturday's matchup with real momentum after picking up a big road win over Valdosta State, 100-92. As for West Florida (6-2, 0-1 GSC), they enter after dropping their first conference game, 87-80, to UAH.
In the head coach Nick Woodruff era, the Tigers are historically known for their defense, but to begin 2025-26, UWA's offense has taken the spotlight. After scoring 100 points or more in back-to-back games, West Alabama is now averaging 91.4 points per game, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from three. Those shooting splits are beyond impressive and will be hard to maintain, but the Tigers are red hot as they enter their matchup with UWF.
UWA has a ton of options on offense which has created one of the most balanced offensive groups in the conference. On Thursday against the Blazers, seven players scored in double figures for the Tigers. Elliot Tulip, Rasean Frederick, and Caleb Parr are currently the scoring leaders as Tulip brings in a 12.4 points per game average while Frederick and Parr both add 12.2 points per game. Off the bench, Jakobe Singleton and Travion McCray are combining to average 18 points. After struggling in the first two games of the year, Tulip has found his rhythm as he's averaging 18.0 points on 53 percent shooting and 48 percent from three in the last three games.
With UWA playing so well on the offensive end, coupled with their elite defense that's holding opposing teams to 66 points per game on 37 percent shooting, it looks to be a tall task for West Florida on Saturday.
in 2025-26, the Argonauts are off to one of their best starts in years. West Florida has already picked up six win this season after only recording eight victories in 2023-24 and 2024-25. UWF's offense has been strong to begin the campaign as they average 89.7 points on 49 percent shooting and 42 percent from three.
The Argonauts currently have four players averaging double digit points, led by Southern Arkansas transfer, Anthony Igiede. Igiede, a 6'5" Wing, is averaging 18.0 points on 45 percent shooting and 44 percent from three. The redshirt junior has scored in double figures in all eight of West Florida's contests and comes into Saturday's game after a 19-point, nine-rebound performance against UAH. Alongside Igiede is Elijah Wyche. Wyche was one of UWF's best players last season and is off to a great start in 2025-26. The 6'6" senior is second on the team in scoring with 16.0 points on 59 percent shooting. Wyche's game lives inside the three-point line, mirroring the game that UWA's Frederick brings to the table. Wyche and Frederick will most likely be a matchup on Saturday and is destined to be an intriguing one.
Aric Demings runs the offense for West Florida and averages 11.7 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game. Forward Tim Hall is the fourth double digit scorer for the Argonauts as he brings in an average of 10.2 points per game along with a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game.
Overall, West Florida is much improved and possesses their best roster in a multitude of years. They will look to slow down a red hot West Alabama team that is coming to town.
Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 4:00 p.m. in Pensacola, Florida.
