HBCU Legends

Texas Southern, Johnny Jones 'Didn't Write Back' and Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament

Texas Southern Tigers prevail to become the 2023 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Champions.

Kyle T. Mosley

Texas Southern, Johnny Jones 'Didn't Write Back' and Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament
Texas Southern, Johnny Jones 'Didn't Write Back' and Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament /

HOUSTON - We think of Texas Southern and are reminded of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith's legendary comeback phrase, "they wrote me off, but I didn't write back."

2023 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Champions - Texas Southern University
2023 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Champions - Texas Southern University; Credit: Wade Event Photography

The Tigers in February and April were not playing at their best, but Johnny Jones must have known that they had a chance if he could get his squad through March and into the SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament.

The Ol' Ball Coach is 26-8 in March since arriving as the head coach of TSU.

Several experts and pundits, including myself, wrote off No. 8 Texas Southern before the opening-round match against No. 1 Alcorn State. The regular season co-champions were heavily favored, but Jones and TSU didn't get the memo sending the Braves packing with a 66-62 upset.

In the semifinal match, the Tigers defeated No. 5 Alabama 74-61 to enter the 2023 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game.

Texas Southern led in the first half, 31-18, over the No. 2 Grambling State Tigers, fought off a ferocious 40-to-30 second-half scoring by the G-Men to win 61-58 and take home their third-straight SWAC Tournament title.

Johnny Jones and the Tigers punched their ticket to the big dance with a 14-20 overall record. It's the second-worst record for an HBCU team playing in NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament since Florida A&M went 12-18 in 1999.  According to the NCAA, Florida International (1995), UCF (1996), Fairfield (1997) all had 11-18 records entering NCAA tournament action.

Nevertheless, Coach Jones and his staff prepared the young Tigers team for the playoff and tournament atmosphere. Yes, getting healthy enough at the right time helped, but the preparation, in combination with the passion, grit, and execution, has everyone talking about TSU once again.

Knocking off the No. 1, No.2, and No. 5 seeds to earn a third-consecutive trip to represent the SWAC at the NCAA Tourney is a phenomenal job for Jones, his staff, and Texas Southern players. Good luck, Fighting Tigers!

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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