HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss men's basketball head coach Jay Ladner spent the offseason giving a forthright pitch.
At 7-26, the Golden Eagles hadn't put together a good season in 2021-22. Five of their top six scorers had departed via the transfer portal after the season. Acknowledging those facts during discussions with potential additions, Ladner sold them on opportunity.
Eight incoming transfers were willing to buy. The Golden Eagles completed an extensive rebuild over the span of just a few months, retaining only five scholarship players from last season's roster.
"We need to win," Ladner said.