Raiders Return Home Tuesday to Host Southern Union

NICEVILLE, Fla. — After nearly a month away from Raider Arena, Northwest Florida State men's basketball returns home Tuesday for its final home game of the 2025 calendar year. The Raiders will meet Southern Union for the third and final time this season, coming off a strong showing at the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic where they finished 2-1, with their only setback coming against No. 4 Trinity Valley.

In this week's national poll, the Raiders moved to No. 5—dropping three spots from No. 2—but remain the highest-ranked team in Florida as they approach the midpoint of the season.

The Matchup

Northwest Florida State and Southern Union are set to square off for the third time this year. The Raiders took the first meeting on opening night (Oct. 31) with a 104-85 victory, then followed with another dominant performance in Wadley, Ala., winning 101-84.

Tuesday marks the final chapter of the season series, with the Bison seeking a major upset and the Raiders looking to bounce back after their most recent loss.

Southern Union enters the matchup on a five-game skid, falling to 2-8 on the season. Their only wins have come against Albany Tech and Chattahoochee Valley.

Where to Watch

Fans can stream all tomorrow's game on the NWFRaider.com website under Watch Live or by clicking HERE

Sizzling Start

Northwest Florida has delivered everything expected and more through its first ten contests. The Raiders are off to a dominant 9-1 start, ranking fifth in the nation after week 4. Statistically, the Raider have been one of the top offensive teams in the nation

Nationally, NWF ranks:

• 23rd in points (884)
• 36th in points per game (88.4)
• 22nd in field goals made (33.7)
• 10th in field goal percentage (53.2)
• 8th in three-point percentage (40.8)
• 38th in offensive efficiency (1.138)
• 32nd in net efficiency (0.193)

DJ Can Shine

DJ Shine has been nothing short of electric this season. The sophomore leads the Raiders in scoring with 18.8 points per game while shooting a blistering 51.0% from the field and 56.1% from three.

Shine has logged 20 or more points four-times this season, including 32 in the season opener against Southern Union, 21 against No. 3 Daytona (Nov. 14), 23 Hillsborough (Nov. 15), and 28 against No. 25 Panola (Nov. 24).  

Hard to Burn

Justin Burns has anchored the Raiders' frontcourt with ability to score, defend, and rebound. The sophomore transfer ranks third on the team in scoring (13.4), first in field goal percentage (70.9%), rebounds (8.5), steals (1.5) and blocks (0.8) He's scored double-digits in all but one game this season, while also securing six or more rebounds each game as well.

Roman It Down

The Raiders' lone returner, Braylon Roman, continues to be the steady engine behind the team's success. Roman ranks second in scoring with 13.5 points per game and leads NWF in assists (5.1) and ranks third in steals (1.1). He's also shooting an efficient 53.6% from the field and 50.0% from three—the second-best mark on the team.