The Nicholls men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 1-1 record, putting together an impressive offensive performance in its season opener before coming up short in its first road test against UAB.

While the two games produced very different results, they also gave an early look at what this Nicholls team could become. The Colonels showed plenty of offensive potential, depth, and defensive activity, but their first road game also exposed some areas that will need improvement moving forward.



Colonels Open Season with 110-Point Performance

Nicholls opened the season on November 2 with a convincing 110-56 victory over North American inside Stopher Gymnasium.

The Colonels had little trouble putting points on the board, scoring 53 in the first half before adding another 57 after halftime.

What stood out most was how balanced the offense was throughout the game.

Sheridan Sharp led Nicholls with 14 points and six assists, while Jordan Matthews and Arop Arop each finished with 12 points. AJ Dent and Cameron Simpson added 11 points apiece.

In total, 13 Colonels scored, with seven finishing in double figures.

Nicholls shot an impressive 58.1 percent from the field and connected on 13 three-pointers. The Colonels also finished with 26 assists, showing their ability to move the basketball and create opportunities for one another.

Defensively, Nicholls forced 23 turnovers and turned those mistakes into 31 points. The Colonels also collected 16 steals and scored 33 fast-break points.

It was an impressive way to begin the season, but the biggest question was how that production would translate against stronger competition.

Shooting Struggles Cost Nicholls at UAB

The Colonels traveled to Birmingham on November 6 for their first major test of the season against UAB.

Nicholls remained within striking distance throughout much of the contest but ultimately fell 70-63.

UAB held a 36-30 halftime advantage, and while Nicholls continued to battle in the second half, the Colonels struggled to find enough consistent offense to complete the comeback.

AJ Dent led Nicholls with 14 points and seven rebounds. Doyel Cockrill III and Jared Taylor each contributed 12 points, while Hunter Carter finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

Sharp also made an impact despite scoring just six points, finishing with seven assists and six rebounds.

The biggest issue for Nicholls was shooting.

After connecting on more than 58 percent of its shots in the season opener, Nicholls shot just 31.9 percent against UAB. The Colonels also struggled from beyond the arc, making eight of 35 attempts for 22.9 percent.

The difference at the free-throw line was another major factor. UAB made 22 free throws compared to just nine for Nicholls.

Rebounding also played a role, with UAB holding a 50-38 advantage on the glass.

Despite those struggles, Nicholls did some things well. The Colonels forced 17 turnovers, recorded 12 steals, and committed just eight turnovers of their own.

That defensive activity helped keep Nicholls competitive even when shots were not falling.

Depth Could Be a Strength for Nicholls

One of the more encouraging takeaways from the first week was the number of players capable of contributing.

The season opener showed that Nicholls has multiple scoring options rather than having to rely on one or two players every night.

Dent has been productive in both games, averaging 12.5 points and six rebounds. His ability to contribute offensively while also impacting the game defensively could make him an important piece for the Colonels.

Sharp has also stood out as a facilitator, recording 13 assists through the first two games without committing a turnover.

Cockrill and Taylor provided important scoring against UAB, while Carter showed his value on the defensive end with five steals.

The challenge now will be developing that depth into consistent production against stronger opponents.

What We Learned After Week One

It is difficult to draw too many conclusions from just two games, especially considering how different the opponents were.

Nicholls was expected to handle North American, and the Colonels did exactly that. The 54-point victory showed what this team is capable of offensively when shots are falling and the ball is moving.

The UAB game was a much better measuring stick.

Although Nicholls came away with a loss, there were encouraging signs. The Colonels continued to create turnovers, limited their own mistakes, and stayed competitive despite a difficult shooting night.

That is something worth building on.

However, shooting consistency and rebounding will need to improve. Nicholls cannot expect to shoot over 58 percent every night, but the drop to under 32 percent against UAB made it difficult to keep pace.

The Colonels also need to find ways to get to the free-throw line more consistently. The difference in free throws against UAB was significant in a seven-point loss.

There is plenty of basketball left to play, and these early games are about figuring out what works and what needs attention before Southland Conference play begins.

Nicholls has shown that it can score, create pressure defensively, and get contributions from multiple players.

Now the challenge is putting those pieces together consistently.

A 1-1 start does not tell us what kind of season the Colonels will have, but the opening week gave us a look at both the potential of this team and the areas where improvement is needed.