Grace University vs Southern Utah prediction: Southern Utah opens a rebuilt roster around Jaiden Feroah against Grace
With barely a quarter of last season's minutes back, the Thunderbirds' Nov. 5 home date with Grace University is a first look at a new team rather than a measuring stick.
- Southern Utah should control a non-Division I visitor at home; the real interest is how a largely new rotation fits together.
- Watch Jaiden Feroah and Tennessee Tech transfer JaJuan Nicholls sharing the frontcourt, the likely core of the offense.
- No spread or total is posted yet; the 24.2% of minutes Southern Utah returns makes last season's numbers a shaky guide.
A roster starting over
Southern Utah went 10-22 last season, 6-12 in the WAC, and this year moves back into the Big Sky. The bigger change is the roster. Players on this season's team logged just 24.2% of last season's minutes, so the 2025-26 profile, an adjusted net efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents) that ranked 270th of 365, describes a team that largely no longer exists.
The departures hurt. Elijah Duval averaged 15.3 points a game and used 33.1% of possessions while on the floor. Tanner Hayhurst made 46.1% of his threes. Neither is on this roster.
Feroah and the new frontcourt
Jaiden Feroah is the anchor. He started all 32 games last season, scored 13.5 points a game and shot 41.5% from three while also blocking 1.6 shots a night. A forward who stretches the floor and protects the rim gives Rob Jeter a foundation, and Jeter was listed as coach last season.
The arrival to watch is JaJuan Nicholls, who averaged 11.2 points at Tennessee Tech on 62.7% shooting, all of it inside the arc. Pairing his interior scoring with Feroah's range is the most interesting question this game can start to answer.
Habits worth tracking
Last season's Thunderbirds played fast, 20th nationally in pace, but gave the ball away too often: their turnover rate ranked 339th. Their defense allowed opponents to hit 36.2% from three, 331st in the country. With so much of the roster new, Nov. 5 is an early read on whether those problems were personnel or system.
No injuries were listed for Southern Utah as of Oct. 17. Little is known about Grace University beyond its name, and Southern Utah's conference opener against Idaho State isn't until Dec. 3, leaving room for experimentation.
Key players
- Jaiden Feroah (Southern Utah): Last season he averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from three.
- JaJuan Nicholls (Southern Utah): He scored 11.2 points a game at Tennessee Tech last season on 62.7% shooting.
- Cale Barclay (Southern Utah): The most experienced returner after Feroah played 15.5 minutes a game last season, scoring 4.6 points.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 24.2% | Most of last season's production is gone, so team stats from 2025-26 carry little weight. |
|---|---|---|
| Last season's turnover rate rank | 339th | Ball security was a major weakness for a team that played at the 20th-fastest pace. |
| Nicholls offensive rating at Tennessee Tech | 126.4 | An efficient interior scorer who could absorb some of the departed usage. |
Grace University vs Southern Utah: quick answers
When is Grace University vs Southern Utah?
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.