Conference play is officially in full swing. Our last undefeated team goes down, now giving the league FIVE teams at the top with a single loss. It’s a wide open race, but a familiar face is back in first of this week’s Power Rankings.
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2017-18 record: 15-3 (4-1) | Last week: 3 
The Lumberjacks, to me, are back where they thought they’d be - at the top. A double digit win over previously unbeaten New Orleans, and a dominant win over UIW vaults them back up to the surface. They haven’t played well on the road in SLC play yet, and a trip to Abilene (where they lost last season) will be a tough test.
2017-18 record: 10-8 (4-1) | Last week: 1 
Lions fans won’t be happy with me putting them behind someone that they beat, but a home loss to McNeese State will do that. SLU shot an abysmal 26% from the field in the 71-62 loss. They should keep pace with winless HBU and winless NWST coming to Hammond this week.
2017-18 record: 8-9 (5-1) | Last week: 2
The Privateers got a scare from Corpus Christi, and lost a tough battle in Nacogdoches. But they played well enough against SFA to keep them in the 3rd spot. UNO gets UCA and Incarnate Word at home next.
2017-18 record: 11-8 (5-1) | Last week: 4 -
Still one of the biggest surprises in the league, the Colonels are keeping pace to stay at the top of the league. They trailed UCA at home almost all game before battling back for an 86-79 win. Only one game this week for Nicholls, at home vs Corpus.
2017-18 record: 10-8 (4-1) | Last week: 6
Another week, another spot higher for the Bearkats. Sam Houston had no issues with Corpus Christi and Houston Baptist last week. Their 4 conferences wins are against teams with a combined 4-17 record, but wins are wins right now. A trip to struggling Lamar should still be difficult.
2017-18 record: 12-7 (4-2) | Last week: 8
The Wildcats didn’t play their best last week, but you take two road wins all day every day. A home matchup with SFA looms large, then travel to Conway.
2017-18 record: 6-10 (3-3) | Last week: 9
They split the week, but the Cowboys are still surprising people, and just got the biggest win of their season thus far. A 9-point win on the road at previously unbeaten SLU. They are off mid-week before traveling to HBU.
2017-18 record: 9-10 (3-3) | Last week: 7
The Bears blasted UIW (as has everyone), but let a great opportunity slip away in Thibodaux. Jordan Howard will need to come to play if they want to gain a road win in New Orleans.
2017-18 record: 10-8 (2-3) | Last week: 5
Yikes, didn’t expect the Cardinals to drop like this. They’ve lost 3 straight, including 2 at home. Incarnate Word should be just what they need to start turning this around.
2017-18 record: 4-11 (1-4) | Last week: 10 -
Props to the Islanders for playing tough in New Orleans, but at the end of the day the loss counts the same. They’ve only got one game this week, but unfortunately it’s at surging Nicholls State.
2017-18 record: 4-14 (0-5) | Last week: 11 -
I think a lot of people expected more from HBU, unfortunately they’ve been out with big man Josh Ibarra since going down with a foot injury almost 2 months ago. I don’t see a chance for a win until they get UIW next week.
2017-18 record: 3-13 (0-5) | Last week: 13
That’s right. I’m moving the Demons up. They aren’t winning, but they aren’t looking as bad as UIW. At least keeping it close against SFA and ACU (had halftime leads in both games). Don’t think they’ll break out of the funk traveling to both Sam Houston and SLU this week.
2017-18 record: 5-10 (0-5) | Last week: 12
Speaking of UIW, here they are at the bottom. Their closest game was an 11 point loss, at home. If there was a good time for them to play Lamar, it’s now. Cardinals get them at home before traveling to UNO.
