Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern will renew their basketball rivalry Saturday in a battle of first-place men's teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a 5:30 p.m. tip in the William J. Nicks Building.
 
It's the White Out Game for Saturday's doubleheader that begins at 3 p.m. women's game between the two schools in the William J. Nicks Building. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt as the PVAMU women (5-7 overall, 2-0 SWAC) host Teas Southern (4-9, 0-2) in game one.
 
For the second straight year in men's play, the Panthers (4-11 overall, 2-0 SWAC) and Tigers (7-8, 2-0) are both undefeated coming into the matchup.  PVAMU is seeking its first 3-0 start in league play since 2010 and looking to extend a three-game winning streak. The Panthers last win streak of 4+ games was a five-game winning streak late last season (wins over Alabama St. 80-74 2/24/18, Alabama A&M 71-58 2/26/18, at Alcorn 79-69 3/1/18, at Southern 77-69 3/3/18 and vs. Alcorn 87-71 3/6/18).
 
Last season, the Panthers and Tigers played three times. Each team won at home, with Texas Southern winning the rubber game over Prairie View A&M in the SWAC Tournament semifinals.
 
"It's the important game because it's the next game, but we clearly understand there is extra incentive when we play TSU to be at our best," Smith said. "We impart on the newcomers in the program the importance of the rivalry and what it embodies with all of the pride and tradition over decades. We embrace that. While our preparation will be and has to be the same, we enjoy and accept the interest the game generates. It's a special night."
 
The Panthers led from start to finish for the third straight game in a 57-54 win at Alcorn Monday night. Darius Williams came off the bench to post season-high tying numbers in points (20) and rebounds (six). Devonte Patterson had 15 points and three rebounds with a season-high four assists, and three steals. Dennis Jones had six points, three rebounds, four assists, and a career-high six steals. Gary Blackston led the Panthers in rebounding for the ninth time with a game-high eight boards.
 
Defensively, PVAMU yielded season lows in field goal percentage (35.2), points in a half (20), and total points (54), and forced 20+ turnovers for the fourth straight game.
 
"Right now we've gone beyond 'buy in' to 'believe in,'" Smith said. "Buy in is more the system. Believe in is the intangibles, in that there's a trust on all sides and the chemistry is starting to form. The players are trusting the staff, it's really a family environment right now, they are believing in each other, and it's transitioning into games. I and other coaches have lauded them about how hard our guys playing. I don't think there is a team that plays harder in the country."
 
Johnny Jones is in his first season as Texas Southern head coach.  The Tigers have posted wins at Baylor (72-69), Oregon (89-84), and Texas A&M (88-73) among their non-conference victories. Texas Southern has also won three in a row, with wins at Texas A&M, Alcorn (87-70), and Southern (77-67).  
 
Jalyn Patterson leads TSU in scoring (14.7 ppg./3rd SWAC), followed by Trayvon Reed (13.1/t-8th SWAC), and Jeremy Combs (12.5/11th SWAC). Reed (8.5) and Combs (7.0) are second and fourth, respectively, in rebounds.
 
"The one thing that's tangible with them is their experience," said Smith of the Tigers. "They have a number of players with Division I experience, and it's a challenge to prepare for that know-how of how to make plays within the ebbs and flows of the game. However, what can always combat that is great effort. Our level of awareness with our players right now is really high. We know that they are coming. We will be prepared."

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