The Giant Killers Strike Again
This wasn't a fluke. This wasn't luck. This was a statement.
Just days after the historic 'Tucson Shock' where Southern University's women's basketball team stunned Arizona 63-57 on the road, the Jaguars marched into Houston's Fertitta Center on December 7, 2025, and delivered another knockout punch. The final score: Southern 70, Houston 62. Two Power 4 opponents. Two statement wins. One undeniable message: Southern University is for real, and the HBCU basketball revolution is here.
Head coach Carlos Funchess has never been one to shy away from the big stage. In his seventh season leading the Lady Jaguars, he's transformed Southern into a program that doesn't just compete - it conquers. And with back-to-back victories over Big 12 competition, the Jaguars have officially announced themselves as the most dangerous mid-major in women's college basketball.
Breaking Down the Houston Beatdown
Let's talk numbers, because the stats don't lie. Southern never trailed against Houston. Read that again: they never trailed. The Jaguars built a commanding 38-29 halftime lead and extended it to 16 points in the fourth quarter before holding off a late Cougar rally.
The key to Southern's dominance? Balance and depth. Eleven Jaguars found the scoring column, with five players reaching double figures. The bench exploded for 33 points, overwhelming Houston's rotation and proving that Funchess has built a program with championship-level depth. Houston managed three double-figure scorers, but it wasn't nearly enough to counter Southern's relentless attack.
Defensively, the Jaguars were suffocating. They held Houston to inefficient shooting and forced the Cougars into uncomfortable possessions all game long. This wasn't a lucky shooting night - this was disciplined, physical, championship-caliber basketball.
The Tucson Shock: Where It All Started
To understand the magnitude of Southern's current run, we have to rewind to December 3, 2025, when the Jaguars walked into the McKale Center in Tucson and handed Arizona a 63-57 defeat. The Wildcats, a perennial NCAA Tournament team, were stifled by Southern's defense, shooting just 41% from the field and a dismal 23% from beyond the arc.
Southern never trailed in that game either. They built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and sealed the victory at the free-throw line, showcasing the poise and maturity of a team that belongs on the national stage. As HBCU Gameday noted, this wasn't just an upset - it was a program-defining moment.
Carlos Funchess: The Architect of Excellence
You can't tell Southern's story without highlighting the mastermind behind it all. Carlos Funchess has built something special in Baton Rouge. A two-time SWAC regular season champion (2019, 2025) and three-time SWAC tournament champion, Funchess has never been afraid to schedule the toughest opponents in the country.
In the 2023-24 season, Southern stunned Oklahoma on the road. This season, they've added Arizona and Houston to their trophy case. Funchess recruits under-the-radar talent from across the Southeast and Texas, develops them into warriors, and unleashes them on unsuspecting Power 4 programs. His philosophy is simple: play the best, beat the best, and demand respect.
And respect is exactly what Southern is earning.
What This Means for the NCAA Tournament Resume
Let's be clear: these wins matter. In an era where the NCAA Selection Committee emphasizes strength of schedule and quality wins, Southern is building a resume that could - and should - earn serious consideration for an at-large bid if they stumble in the SWAC tournament.
Two road victories over Power 4 opponents is the kind of resume gold that selection committees dream about. While HBCU programs have historically been relegated to automatic bid territory, Southern is challenging that narrative. They're proving that SWAC basketball isn't just competitive - it's elite.
The NET rankings will love this. Quality wins on the road against major conference opponents will boost Southern's metrics significantly, and if they continue to dominate SWAC play (which they're expected to do as defending champions), the Jaguars could find themselves in the national conversation come March.
The HBCU Basketball Respect Revolution
Southern's success is bigger than just one program. It's a movement. For too long, HBCU basketball has been underestimated, overlooked, and disrespected. Programs like Southern, Norfolk State (who famously upset Missouri in the 2022 NCAA Tournament), and others are rewriting the narrative.
When HBCU teams knock off Power 4 opponents, it sends shockwaves through the college basketball world. It forces analysts to pay attention. It forces recruits to reconsider their options. And it forces the NCAA to acknowledge what we've known all along: HBCU basketball is rising, and it's not slowing down.
Southern's victories over Arizona and Houston aren't just wins - they're proof of concept. They're evidence that when HBCU programs are given the opportunity and resources to compete, they can beat anyone, anywhere.
What's Next for the Jaguars?
The schedule doesn't get any easier for Southern. According to their 2025-26 schedule, the Jaguars have already faced Iowa, Iowa State, and Ole Miss in addition to Arizona and Houston. This is one of the most brutal non-conference slates in the country, and Funchess designed it that way on purpose.
Every game is a test. Every win is a building block. And with SWAC play on the horizon, Southern has positioned itself to dominate the conference while maintaining national relevance.
If the Jaguars can maintain this level of play, they're not just SWAC championship contenders - they're legitimate NCAA Tournament dark horses. And in a sport where Cinderella stories are celebrated, Southern could be the belle of the March Madness ball.
The Bottom Line
Southern University women's basketball isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore. They've kicked down the door, taken a seat at the table, and demanded respect. Two consecutive Power 4 upsets in a single week isn't a coincidence - it's a coronation.
Carlos Funchess and his squad are proving that HBCU basketball belongs in the national conversation. They're proving that the SWAC can compete with the Big 12. And most importantly, they're proving that when you believe in your program, schedule the toughest opponents, and play with heart and discipline, anything is possible.
The Jaguars aren't just giant killers - they're giant slayers. And the rest of college basketball better take notice, because Southern University is just getting started.
