The Jaguars, led by interim head coach Morris Scott, played their home games at the F. G. Clark Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Due to Grambling State's Academic Progress Rate violations and subsequent postseason ineligibility, the Jaguars received the No.

They defeated Jackson State in the quarterfinals before losing to Arkansas–Pine Bluff in the semifinals.

On April 12, 2018, Southern hired Stetson assistant coach and former Morehead State/Mississippi Valley State head coach Sean Woods for the full-time job.

On March 31, head coach Roman Banks, who had been serving as Southern's interim Athletic Director for almost two years, was promoted to full-time Athletic Director and stepped down as basketball coach.