College Basketball Conference Preview #3 - Southland Conference

The Southland Conference is up to twelve members now with the additions of UTRGV and Stephen F. Austin this season. All twelve teams will vie for a spot in the NCAA Tournament next March. Look for McNeese to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. McNeese Head Coach Will Wade added several high profile transfers to mesh with three returning starters in senior forward Christian Shumate and senior guards Omar Cooper and Javohn Garcia. If senior guard Brandon Murray (Ole Miss transfer) and junior guard Sincere Parker (Saint Louis transfer) play well the Cowboys could surprise a few teams in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Look for senior forward Joe Charles (Louisiana transfer) to have an immediate impact as well. Nicholls returns four starters and will be led by senior guards Robert Brown III and Byron Ireland, Jr. along with senior forward Jamal West Jr. The Colonels will also need major contributions from several experienced returnees including junior guard Michael Gray, Jr. and senior forward Mekhi Collins, and senior guard Jalen White - the final returning starter. Can Nicholls make it back to the Southland Conference Tournament Championship Game? We will find out soon enough. I predict the Colonels to finish in 2nd place this season. Lamar is poised for another great season in 2024-25. The Cardinals return three starters in senior center Adam Hamilton and junior guards B.B. Knight and Cody Pennebaker. Head Coach Alvin Brooks hopes senior guard Ja'Sean Jackson and senior forward Errol White - both returning reserves - provide instant offense off the bench. I predict Lamar to finish in 3rd place in the final Conference Standings. Stephen F. Austin arrives from the WAC with high expectations. The Lumberjacks return two starters in senior guard Matt Hayman and senior forward Nana Antwi - Boasiako. Look for junior guard Keon Thompson (UMass transfer) and junior forward Thierno Sylla (UCF transfer) to both have breakout seasons as Stephen F. Austin will do their best to finish in the top tier of the Southland Conference this season. I predict the Lumberjacks to finish in 4th place this season. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is looking to finish in the upper half of the Conference Standings again this season. The Islanders welcome back four starters and will be led by senior forward Garry Clark and senior guard Jordan Roberts. Look for junior forward Owen Dease and junior center Stephen Giwa - the final returning starters - along with junior center Shilo Jackson - a returning reserve - to be consistent scorers/rebounders this season. I predict Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to finish in 5th place in the Conference. Northwestern State welcomes back two starters in senior guard Chase Forte and junior forward Jimel Lane. Look for several experienced returnees including senior guard Duane Posey, senior guard Jae Slack, and sophomore guard Chris Mubiru to play larger roles this season. I predict the Demons to finish in 6th place this season.

New Orleans returns two starters in senior guard Jamond Vincent and sophomore guard Jah Short as they look to finish in the top half of the final Southland Conference Standings. New Head Coach Stacy Hollowell takes over with moderate expectations. The Privateers will also lean on junior guard Mason Jones and junior forward Omarion Henry - both returning reserves. If the Privateers somehow advance deep into the Southland Conference Tournament they will be a tough out due to their depth and experience. Incarnate Word only returns one starter in senior forward Dylan Hayman. Look for sophomore center Josh Akpovwa, sophomore forward Marcus Glover, and sophomore guard TJ Ford, Jr. - all returning reserves - to play large roles for the Cardinals in the upcoming campaign. I predict Incarnate Word to finish in 8th place this season. Southeastern Louisiana will do their best to keep climbing the Southland Conference Standings after a 5th place finish last season. The Lions only welcome back one starter in junior forward Brody Rowbury and will need several returning reserves - most notably sophomore guard Kam Burton and junior forward Dylan Canoville - to provide additional perimeter scoring. Expect senior forward Sam Hines, Jr. (South Florida transfer) to make an immediate impact as well. I predict Southeastern Louisiana to finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. Texas A&M Commerce will find it difficult to finish in the top half of the Southland Conference Standings this season. The Lions return two starters in senior guard Khaliq Abdul-Mateen and junior guard Alonzo Dodd. Look for junior guard VJ Reeves, Jr. and sophomore forward KC Ugwuakazi - both returning reserves - to be major contributors this season while sophomore guard Evan Phelps - the final returning reserve - will provide leadership and experience. Houston Christian hasn't seen a winning season since 2017 and welcomes in a new Head Coach in Craig Doty. The Huskies welcome back three starters and will be led by senior guard Jay Alvarez and senior forward Michael Imariagbe. Look for sophomore guard Dominic Capriotti - the final returning starter - along with junior guard Pierce Bazil and senior forward Tristan Moore - both returning reserves - to contribute as well. I predict Houston Christian to finish in 11th place this season. UTRGV also welcomes in a new Head Coach in Kahil Fennell. The Vaqueros welcome back two starters in senior guard Hasan Abdul-Hakim and sophomore guard J.J. Howard. Look for junior forward Isaiah Barganier - the lone returning reserve - and senior guard K.T. Raimey (DePaul transfer) to both have solid seasons. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Southland Conference. Enjoy all of the games!

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