Southern Miss is three games better in in the Sun Belt than South Alabama, which has lost its past four road games but also not played one in 19 days. Andre Curbelo returned from injury against Texas State for USM last time out and scored a career-high 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting. The Golden Eagles are simply a different team when the Illinois transfer has been able to play, which has only been seven games due to various injuries. Southern Miss has won 25 of its last 27 games at Reed Green Coliseum.