The Tigers finished the 2017 – 18 season 16 – 20 , 12 – 6 in SWAC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place . Due to Grambling State 's Academic Progress Rate violations and subsequent postseason ineligibility , they received the No. 3 seed in the SWAC Tournament where they defeated Alabama State , Prairie View A&M and Arkansas – Pine Bluff to become SWAC Tournament champions . They received the SWAC 's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated North Carolina Central in the First Four before losing in the First Round to Xavier
SWAC Tournament
2018 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament
2018–19 Texas Southern Tigers basketball team