2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: McNeese State
Best Overall Player: Christian Shumate, MC
Best Shooter:
Best Defenseman: Christian Shumate, MC
Sleeper Team (Conference): UTRGV
Sleeper Team (March): McNeese State
Mcneese State forward Christian Schumate; Mcneese athletics
1. McNeese State Cowboys
2023 Record: 30-4
Following its historic ascension to the top of the Southland Conference and a 30-win season, there is reason to believe that Cowboys will return to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season under head coach Will Wade. The backcourt of DJ Richards Jr. and Javohn Garcia is one of the Southland’s finest, with rotational piece Omar Cooper expected to blossom beside the two veterans. Potential conference Player of the Year Christian Schumate returns to lead the Cowboys, and will be a force on the glass and on defense. McNeese State possesses the clear-cut best roster in its conference and will open as the heavy favorite to repeat as conference champions.
2. Texas A&M-CC Islanders
2023 Record: 21-12
One year after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2023, the Islanders were ousted in the first round of the Southland Tournament by Nicholls State. Still, it was a successful first season under head coach Jim Shaw, as Texas A&M-CC reached 21 wins. The Islanders were one of the toughest defensive teams in all of college basketball last season, and with four returning starters and a litany of returning rebounds back in Corpus Christi, expect TAMU-CC to be at the forefront of the Southland standings. Garry Clark and Stephen Giwa will be the offensive focal points.
3. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
2023 Record: 18-15
SFA comes eastward bound, migrating from the WAC to the Southland following an 18-win 2023. The strength of the team is undeniably its frontcourt, with three bonafide big men controlling the glass in Nana Antwi-Boasiako, UCF transfer Thierno Sylla and Juhlawnei Stone. Backcourt production was lost this past off season and will be a priority replacement, look for Keon Thompson to be an early option.
4. Nicholls State Colonels
2023 Record: 20-14
The Colonels made a run to the Southland Conference championship game before being upended by McNeese State last season. Returning for one of the conference’s top shooting teams is leading scorer Robert Brown III and fiery wing Byron Ireland. Down low the Colonels poached Gardner-Webb big Caleb Robinson to help its lackluster offensive rebounding from 2023. With one of the more complete rosters in the conference, expect Nicholls to compete among the top half of the league in 2024.
5. Lamar Cardinals
2023 Record: 19-14
The Cardinals return one starter at every level of the offense, led by leading scorer BB Knight and wing Cody Pennebaker. Lamar ran the Southland’s second most efficient offense last season but struggled to pull away in close games, ultimately losing to McNeese in the conference quarterfinals. LU was one of the conference’s best two-point shooting teams but struggled from beyond the arc with consistency. Establishing an offensive identity early will be key.
6. Southeastern Louisiana Lions
2023 Record: 15-17
The 2023 season was highlighted by a victory over juggernaut McNeese State and a lousy first round exit from the Southland tournament. Only one starter returns for the Lions as many SELU starters opted to hit the transfer portal this off season. Kam Burton will be a key piece in the offense this season, especially on the perimeter. The return of big man Brody Rowbury warrants optimism but there isn’t much else for the Lions to work with.
7. Northwestern State Demons
2023 Record: 9-23
Only two starters return for the Demons but guard Chase Forte will be in consideration for an all-league bid entering his senior season. The surrounding team is young and relatively inexperienced, but the message remains the same in Natchitoches: rebound the basketball. NW State was one of the conference’s worst rebounding teams last season, limiting its second chance point opportunities. Returnee Jimel Lane will be a key piece in the development of the Demons’ rebounding.
8. New Orleans Privateers
2023 Record: 10-23
The Privateers unleashed one of the better turnover forcing defenses in the conference last season en route to a first round victory in the Southland tournament. Aside from that, New Orleans struggled immensely to produce on each end of the court. New Orleans was one of the worst shooting teams in the SLC and return two starters (both guards) to aid those numbers. A new regime gives UNO a breath of fresh air as the program looks to rebound from four losing seasons in five years.
9. Incarnate Word Cardinals
2023 Record: 8-23
The Cardinals were the conference’s last place finisher in 2023 and struggled keeping the ball in their hands on offense and getting it out of the opponents hand on defense. IWU was the SLC’s worst offensive team and second worst defensive team in 2023 in year one under Shane Heirman. Unfortunately (or possibly fortunately), the Cardinals return just one starter in Dylan Hayman who looks to take the reigns as the offensive leader.
10. UTRGV Vaqueros
2023 Record: 6-25
Along with SFA, Texas Rio-Grande Valley comes over from the WAC in search of success seldom found in its old conference. Kahil Fennell takes over a program that has struggled in recent years but opted to turn to the portal to bring in seven newcomers to pair with its two returning starters from 2023. Rebuilding one of the country’s worst defenses will be a startng point for Fennell in year one.
11. Texas A&M-Commerce Lions
2023 Record: 12-20
The Lions commonly played with four guards on the court last season which killed its rebounding percentages on both sides of the court. Still, the four guard lineup struggled to shoot above 42% from the field and lost its top three scorers. The offensive scheme fell flat faced in Commerce last season and will need to be rebuilt with a litany of newcomers.
12. Houston Christian Huskies
2023 Record: 6-23
Despite winning just six games last season, the Huskies managed to escape the cellar of the Southland with a 4-14 conference record. Hitting its stride early will be paramount with three experienced scorers back in the fold for HCU, including Jay Alvarez and Michael Imariagbe. Establishing its defense will be key to finding success in league play, something that can be tested in non-conference tilts.