MBB: Southland Conference Power Rankings - Week 9

The ninth week of action in the Southland finished last week and the ninth edition of our Power Rankings are here, too.

Nothing changed in the top four, once again. Some really close games from top to bottom in the standings, but the best of the best found ways to win. Only four game days left—this is officially the home stretch.

1. Nicholls

2017-18 record: 18-9 (12-2) | Last week: 1 -

The Colonels are still on top, and just a game ahead of SLU and SFA in the standings. Last week they got scares from both Sam Houston and UCA, both coming down to the final minute. This week they travel to McNeese and then get UNO at home.

2. Southeastern Louisiana

2017-18 record: 18-10 (11-3) | Last week: 2 -

The Lions didn’t need any late game heroics last week, but had to hang on at home against UNO (being outscored 47-31 in the second half). SLU is off mid-week, before traveling to winless Northwestern State.

3. Stephen F. Austin

2017-18 record: 22-5 (11-3) | Last week: 3 -

The Lumberjacks are starting to put some things together, but still a game off the lead. They made easy work of Corpus Christi A&M and UIW last week, but two big upcoming games against two teams they’ve lost to (UCA and Lamar) loom. The good news for SFA is, both of those are at home.

4. Sam Houston State

2017-18 record: 17-11 (11-4) | Last week: 4 -

The Bearkats are one shot away from being in first place right now. A floater at the buzzer didn’t go against Nicholls and instead Sam Houston sits in 4th, still vying for one of the tournament’s top four seeds. Sam gets a tough UNO team at home this week.

5. New Orleans

2017-18 record: 14-12 (11-4) | Last week: 5 -

UNO had a tough time in Hammond, finding themselves in a 40-17 hole at halftime. If it wasn’t for that bad of a half, they probably win that SLU game. The Privateers have a really tough week, traveling to Huntsville and then to Nicholls State.

6. Lamar

2017-18 record: 17-11 (9-6) | Last week: 8 

A decent week from the Cardinals has them in a good position to make the tourney, and an outside shot to get a single-bye. A game at Nacogdoches this weekend could keep them in the 5-8 area.

7. Abilene Christian

2017-18 record: 15-12 (7-7) | Last week: 7 -

The Wildcats only had one game, which may have been a blessing in disguise. They’ve lost 3 of their last 4 (although all 3 losses against teams in the Top 4), and need to win against Corpus and UCA this week to make sure they don’t slip out of the Top 8.

8. Central Arkansas

2017-18 record: 13-12 (7-5) | Last week: 8 

Not a good week from the Bears, a bad home loss to McNeese State and a near miss of an upset against top seeded Nicholls has UCA clinging to the last tournament spot. Unfortunately they have to travel to Nacogdoches and Abilene this week.

9. McNeese

2017-18 record: 9-15 (6-8) | Last week: 10 

The win at UCA for the Cowboys was a huge boost, but they followed it with a flat performance at New Orleans. Two home games for McNeese this week, Nicholls and HBU.

10. Texas A&M-CC

2017-18 record: 8-16 (5-9) | Last week: 9 

It’s not over for the Islanders yet, but the beating by SFA and close loss to Lamar was deflating on their tournament hopes. They have a good shot at 2 wins this week however, at ACU and at home vs UIW.

11. Houston Baptist

2017-18 record: 6-21 (2-12) | Last week: 11 -

Win number two! The Huskies got their second conference win over last place Northwestern State, and had a tough loss to Sam Houston (had a 44-36 halftime lead). The rest of the table is done for the tournament, but can play spoiler to everyone else. Lamar and at McNeese on deck for HBU.

12. Incarnate Word

2017-18 record: 5-19 (0-14) | Last week: 12 -

The Cardinals actually showed some life against SFA, but that still resulted in a double digit home loss. The good news, they may get a win on Wednesday win Northwestern State comes to town.

13. Northwestern State

2017-18 record: 3-22 (0-14) | Last week: 13 -

Still here. Same for the Demons, their best shot at a win comes on Wednesday against UIW.