Category Archives: Southland

2017-18 Post-Season, 2017-18 Season, Southland

Ledoux Brothers to Transfer From McNeese State

Ledoux, Kalob (3)
Sophomores Kalob Ledoux (above) and twin brother Jacob will transfer from McNeese, per ESPN.

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The 2017-18 was a step in the right direction for the McNeese State Cowboys in the Southland Conference.

In the 2016-17 season, the Cowboys went just 7-22 overall, and 4-14 in conference play. Fast forward to this season, and they improved their overall record by four wins, finishing the year at 11-18 overall. Being seven games below .500 may not scream improvement, but the fact that they had a chance at a spot in the Southland Conference on the last game of the regular season shows that the team was trending upwards.

Now, with the transfer news that came out on Sunday surrounding two of the team’s top four scorers, the Cowboys may take a step or two backwards in 2018-19.

Per ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, brothers Kalob Ledoux and Jacob Ledoux are transferring from the program, leaving a pair of holes to fill as the Cowboys look ahead to next season, and beyond. Continue reading Ledoux Brothers to Transfer From McNeese State →

2017-18 Season, Game Recaps, Southland

Jalone Friday Posts Double-Double in 74-69 Win For Abilene Christian Over Lamar

Foster, Tevin (2)
Tevin Foster fell an assist shy of a double-double on Wednesday night against Lamar, recording 12 points and nine assists to guide Abilene Christian to the 74-69 win. (Source: Lubbock Online) (Header: Abilene Christian Athletics)

ABILENE, Tex. — The standings in the Southland Conference through the first half of league play are a log jam, as eight teams came into Wednesday night with a record above .500 against conference opponents.

On Wednesday night, two teams with 5-4 records looked to separate themselves from the pack a bit. The Abilene Christian Wildcats welcomed the Lamar Cardinals to town in the only meeting of the season between the two programs. Last season, they only met once, and the Wildcats picked up a home win thanks to a buzzer-beating three pointer from Payten Ricks from half court.

While there weren’t any late-game heroics this time around, the end result was still the same. Abilene Christian and Lamar went back and forth for much of the first half before the home side took a four point lead into the break.

The Wildcats led for most of the second frame, and picked up their sixth conference win of the season with a 74-69 victory over the Cardinals. Continue reading Jalone Friday Posts Double-Double in 74-69 Win For Abilene Christian Over Lamar →

2017-18 Season, Game Previews, Southland

Abilene Christian Hosts Lamar in Key Southland Conference Showdown

Nzeakor, Josh (2)
Josh Nzeakor, who has three double-doubles over his past four games, will look to lead Lamar to a road win on Wednesday night against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. (Source: Beaumont Enterprise) (Header: Abilene Christian Athletics)

ABILENE, Tex. — The Southland Conference standings are almost as congested as the subways in Toronto, ON during the morning rush hour on a Tuesday.

Coming into Wednesday night’s action, the teams in first place and 10th place are separated by just four games. Nine teams in the league have a record of at least .500 against conference foes, adding some drama to the second half of league play as the calendars prepare to be flipped to February.

Right in the middle of the log jam are the Abilene Christian Wildcats and Lamar Cardinals. Both teams enter their tilt on Wednesday night with identical 13-9 records overall, and 5-4 records in conference play. Both teams are looking to pick up a win and separate themselves from the pack and make a move up in the standings.

With only eight teams making the Southland Conference tournament in Katy, TX, each and every game is significant.

Here’s what you need to know in advance of the only regular season meeting of the 2017-18 season between Abilene Christian and Lamar.
Continue reading Abilene Christian Hosts Lamar in Key Southland Conference Showdown →

2017-18 Season, Atlantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Horizon League, MAC, MEAC, Ohio Valley, Player Profiles, Southland, Summit League

Eleven Under-the-Radar Freshmen That Every Fan Should Know About

Taylor, Terry
The play of freshman Terry Taylor is a big reason for the 5-3 start in conference play for Austin Peay. (Source: Austin Peay Athletics) (Header: HBCU Gameday)

LONDON, Ont. — To say the least, the 2017-18 college basketball season has been an exciting one, and we still have over two months of action left before another dreaded off-season.

Conference play is in full swing for every league across the NCAA, and the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. There have been several surprise teams, both for the better and for the worse, that have caused some shakeups in leagues that many thought were locks for particular teams this season.

With the excitement comes the plethora of emerging young talents from coast to coast. Freshmen from all across the country have emerged as potential stars with their respective programs, and have taken on starring roles in their first seasons in the NCAA.

For whatever reason, the majority of freshmen outside of the Big Seven conferences (B1G, B12, Pac-12, ACC, SEC, AAC, BEast) don’t get their fair share of attention on a national scale. Most media outlets will only focus on the biggest names and the top programs, all while turning a blind eye to players who are just as deserving. One player, in particular, ranks sixth in the nation in scoring, yet many fans don’t know his name.

That needs to change, and in a hurry.

Here are 11 freshmen that fans from coast to coast need to become familiar with, as they are poised  for big things over their collegiate careers, including one of the nation’s elite scorers who just so happens to play in the nation’s capital.
Continue reading Eleven Under-the-Radar Freshmen That Every Fan Should Know About →

2017-18 Season, Game Previews, Southland

January 17th Game of the Day: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Abilene Christian Wildcats

Holyfield, TJ (2)
After a loss in their Southland opener, TJ Holyfield and the Lumberjacks enter Wednesday night riding a four game winning streak. (Source: TJ Holyfield on Twitter) (Header: Abilene Christian Athletics)

ABILENE, Tex. — Every day with college basketball on tap is an exciting one.

Tuesday night provided fans with some exciting games. The Purdue Boilermakers continued to show why they’re one of the nation’s top teams, while the Oklahoma Sooners fell on the road against the Kansas State Wildcats by 18 points.

Then, in the Southland Conference, the Nicholls Colonels continued their strong play, moving to 6-1 against league opponents with a 30-point win over the Texas A&M-CC Islanders, 91-61.

On Wednesday night, the rest of the Southland Conference will look to keep pace with the Colonels. In Abilene, TX, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and Abilene Christian Wildcats will square off in a battle of two top contenders in the conference. Both come into the day with four league wins, and will look to inch closer to the top spot.

Here’s what you need to know in advance of our Game of the Day for January 17th between the Lumberjacks and Wildcats. Continue reading January 17th Game of the Day: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Abilene Christian Wildcats →

2017-18 Season, Game Previews, Southland

Lamar Basketball: Previewing the Southeastern Louisiana Lions

Weisbrod, Colton (7)
Colton Weisbrod has three double-doubles over his last five games, and will look to post another such performance on Wednesday when Lamar hosts Southeastern Louisiana. (Source: The Examiner)

BEAUMONT, Tex. — Coming into the 2017-18 season, the Southland Conference looked like it would be home to one of the more exciting title races this season. Through the first two weeks, it certainly hasn’t disappointed.

Entering Wednesday night, there are nine teams that have a record of 2-2 in conference play, or better. Two teams remain undefeated atop the standings, the New Orleans Privateers and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. Both teams are in action on Wednesday, and will be looking to keep their perfect records intact.

The Lions are in Beaumont, TX to take on the Lamar Cardinals, a team that many projected to win the conference title in 2017-18. They have struggled as of late, losing six of their last eight contests after an 8-1 start. A win over the Lions would undoubtedly get Lamar back on track as Southland play continues.

Southeastern Louisiana, on the other hand, will be looking to complete a perfect three game road trip with a win over the Cardinals. With two road wins and a victory at home over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks under their belts, the Lions are for real.

Here’s what you need to know in advance of Wednesday night’s contest between the visiting Lions and host Cardinals.
Continue reading Lamar Basketball: Previewing the Southeastern Louisiana Lions →