SWOSU Men's Basketball gets a second start to the season with the beginning of Great American Conference play set to begin this week. The Bulldogs will open up league play on the road against Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday (Nov. 30) before hosting Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday (Dec. 2).

The Bulldogs enter GACtion winless at 0-4 but have endured a challenging non-conference slate that has featured matchups with three (out of four) opponents who have already made appearances in D2 National Polls this season. The Dawgs are coming off of a 68-64 loss to Cameron University of the Lone Star Conference in their home opener. SWOSU led by as many as 15 points in the second half but could not hold on to secure a win.

Oklahoma Baptist awaits SWOSU in Thursday's conference opener. The Bison were picked seventh in the GAC preseason poll and sit 3-3 on the year. They have two losses to top-25 opponents and have not yet earned a win over a Division II opponent. SWOSU was 0-2 last season against OBU.

Southeastern, the preseason conference favorite, is 4-4 and currently boasts the highest scoring output of any team in the conference averaging 89.3 points per game. They open up vs SNU on Thursday before battling the Bulldogs on Saturday. The Dawgs have lost their last six to SE.

SWOSU is averaging 65.5 points per game while allowing 77.3 in four games this season. The Bulldogs have yet to break the 70-point scoring threshold on offense. Returning All-GAC selection Ben Smith leads the team and ranks fourth in the GAC in scoring at 16.3 points per game on an efficient 59% shooting. He also leads the team and conference in rebounding, averaging right at 8.0 rebounds per game.

Mark Berry is also contributing in both scoring and on the boards. He averages 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest, having eclipsed double-digit scoring twice this season. Off the bench, Jalen Johnson is getting 18 minutes of floor time per game and ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.5 ppg. His six three-point makes leads SWOSU.

As a unit, SWOSU is forcing 8.25 steals per game, ranking third in the league and just narrowly shy of the top spot. In the turnover department, the Dawgs hold a -1.75 margin -- averaging 14 turnovers per contest themselves while forcing opponents into 12.3.

After shooting a league worst 63% from the foul line last season, SWOSU sits at 70% through four games good enough for fifth in the GAC. The offense is shooting 43% from the field overall (9th, GAC) and 32% from the three-point line (8th, GAC). SWOSU has not shot over 45% this season from the field, but also not under 40%.