I want to start this week's edition of the ranks by having my "I told you so" moment at the expense of our editor, Isaac Niedrauer. I'm here to publicly shame him for his blind fandom. At the beginning of the season, he was so confident in SFA's team that he said the Lumberjacks would lose three conference games "at the most."
I, on the other hand, was realistic. I said 13-5 or 14-4 was more likely. So instead of a normal intro this week I just want to say: "Suck it, Isaac!"
Now back to the regularly scheduled program.
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1. Sam Houston State
2016-17 record: 17-7 (8-3) | Last week's rank: 1
The streak is over and Jason Hooten can finally breath after a win over the Lumberjacks last week. On Friday, nothing stood between Sam and the outright Southland title with a two-game conference lead over SFA and a victory over UNO earlier in the season. Then the Wildcats happened. While it’s certainly an upset, ACU seems to play best against the top teams in the conference and Sam had not moved passed their big win yet. What could have been a great week for Hooten's team ends with the Kats basically right where they started.
2. New Orleans
2016-17 record: 13-9 (8-3) | Last week's rank: 2
Well, at the beginning of the week, it looked like the Privateers were on their way down to third or fourth in these rankings. But after watching SFA fall on their face, and with Sam also losing to ACU, UNO holds on to second for another week. In other news, however, while there aren't many things that are clear with this team or this conference, I feel confident saying that Erik Thomas is running away with the Player of the Year award.
3. Stephen F. Austin
2016-17 record: 12-11 (7-4) | Last week's rank: 3
Crisis averted. After SFA fans suffered their most painful regular season conference loss in the past five years, it seemed their hope to repeat and the #DriveforFive was dead. Luckily for the Jacks, Sam Houston lost a couple days later, putting them in control of their own destiny again. That said, the near loss to Northwestern State this week was just another step in the wrong direction from an aesthetic standpoint.
4. Lamar
2016-17 record: 14-9 (6-4) | Last week's rank: 4
This week, the Cardinals went 1-1. Copy and paste this every week for the rema…Hold up. The Cardinals only played one game last week, giving them a 1-0 record. Fear not. They play Sam and HBU this week, so team 1-1 will be back in business.
5. Texas A&M-CC
2016-17 record: 12-9 (5-5) | Last week's rank: 9
The Islanders have finally reached the .500 mark in conference play and (believe it or not) actually still have a chance get a top two seed in the conference tournament. While they'll need help, this team has a real chance to finish 13-5 and with a double bye. Unlikely, but stranger things have happened (see: ACU).
6. Houston Baptist
2016-17 record: 9-12 (5-6) | Last week's rank: 7
Nothing else matters. Why? Because HBU is bringing back the best jerseys in basketball history on Saturday. I like to have fun at the Huskies' expense sometimes but there is literally nothing bad I can say about this look. If you don't remember these from last year make sure you take a look at these glorious...things.
7. Southeastern Louisiana
2016-17 record: 13-11 (6-5) | Last week's rank: 6
With a heartbreaking loss in Conway this week, the Lions saw their chances of a double bye slashed in half. A huge game with Corpus Christi is coming up this week the Lions have a chance to at least establish themselves in drivers' seat for a top four seed come March.
8. Incarnate Word
2016-17 record: 10-12 (5-6) | Last week's rank: 5
Well, the hottest team in the conference couldn't handle the heat any longer and finally fell back to earth this week. With an unforgivable loss to McNeese and another to HBU, the Cardinals came crashing back to the bottom. It gets worse. Look at these next 4 games: SFA, Sam, Corpus, Sam. Poor Cardinals.
9. Abilene Christian
2016-17 record: 10-12 (4-7) | Last week's rank: 12
If Nacogdoches is the hardest place the play in the Southland than Abilene has to be number two without question. The Wildcats are 4-0 against the top four teams at home. The term "Moody Magic" has been thrown around for their coliseum. It might be a total rip-off of SMU but I’m buying it. Something happens to road teams inside that building. Deflated basketballs perhaps?
10. Nicholls
2016-17 record: 11-13 (4-7) | Last week's rank: 8
Another tough loss to a top team this week has the Colonels nearing the bottom of the conference - not only in my rankings but the standings as well. Only one game out of last place, Nicholls plays a home and home with Central Arkansas for their next two. After that, we may have a new #13.
11. Central Arkansas
2016-17 record: 5-6 (6-18) | Last week's rank: 11
Two more wins for the Bears put them right back in the thick of the race for the conference "torment." Now they travel to Abilene - so that winning streak is basically already dead.
12. Northwestern State
2016-17 record: 9-12 (3-7) | Last week's rank: 10
There are painful losses. Then there are the losses that make you question everything about your life. The Demons had that one of those on Saturday after losing in overtime to SFA. Northwestern State fans missed an opportunity to find a bright spot in this horrific injury-riddled season.
13. McNeese
2016-17 record: 7-15 (4-7) | Last week's rank: 13
I see one remaining win, potentially, against HBU on the 23rd. Other than that, it’s just going to be a handful of losses. I've said this before but 13th place probably won’t be changing hands for the rest of this season.
