Southland Conference primer

A team-by-team glance at the Southland Conference heading into the 2007-08 season.

EAST DIVISION

Central Arkansas

Strengths: Durrell Nevels is a solid rebounder and great shot blocker who added a better-than-expected scoring touch. Pillow enters his sophomore season acclimated to Division I ball and has a nice 3-point shot that should get better as he matures.  

Weaknesses: The center spot remains a question with Fernando Johnson's departure. Johnson helped take pressure off Nevels, a task now assigned to two newcomers. A little backcourt scoring punch would be nice to keep defenses honest on Marcus Pillow, and stopper Fred Campbell graduated, vital on a defensive team. 

Scouting the newcomers: G Ryan Williams was a highly sought recruit before he opted for Tulane. Now he is heading to UCA and will be eligible after the fall semester. His presence could ratchet up the team's offense. Landrell Brewer and Brian Marks, a pair of 6-foot-9 juco transfers, will be a two-headed center. York Sims, a 6-2 junior transfer, should add quality depth at guard. 

Lamar

Strengths: There are a few point guard types on this team, and it is very selfless in appearance. SG Darren Hopkins knocked down 67 3-point shots last season and should increase that number. PF Lamar Sanders truly has a chance to average a double-double this season. Three double-digit scorers return.

Weaknesses: There shouldn't be much in the line of weaknesses. There's size, rebounding and outside shooting. The team will miss the height inside, but it has bulk. A few more solid decisions in transition would be nice, and there definitely is a need for consistency from a team that averaged 18 turnovers a game.

Scouting the newcomers: Veteran Lamar players likely will round out the starting lineup, but there are serious minutes up for grabs among the newcomers. F Jay Brown, a 6-7, 240-pound junior college transfer, could crack the starting lineup if the Cardinals opt to go smaller. Junior transfer Tristan Worrell, a forward who is 6-7, 250 pounds, sounds like another frightening version of Sanders

McNeese State

Strengths: There is no shortage of players who chime in with a big game, the foremost being Bradley and Ford. But John Pichon also has star quality as a tremendous leaper who fights inside for rebounds. If C Kleon Penn can develop his game, the frontline could be one of the toughest in the Southland.

Weaknesses: Penn needs to develop. While he started much of last season, the inside presence of Quentin Gonzales, who came off the bench and took pressure off Bradley down low, will be missed. Aaron's departure opens a role for someone -- a newcomer or perhaps 6-6 Rorey Lawrence -- who can nail the outside shot.

Scouting the newcomers: An outside shooter is atop the list of needs, and Simmons has potential in sophomore G Diego Kapelan, who can nail the 3-pointer. Sophomore G Kevis Anderson, at 6-1, could be an answer as well. Add in 6-1 freshman G Stephan Martin, who should give Ford a few breathers as his understudy, and maintain the scoring punch at the point.

Nicholls State

Strengths: Nicholls averaged 71 points a game but really didn't find its offensive niche until the close of the season when, coincidentally, the team's depth was siphoned. During a closing stretch that included winning four of its final six games, Nicholls put up big numbers against top league teams such as Lamar, Northwestern State and A&M-Corpus Christi. Five players are back, including potential breakout players in SG Ryan Bathie (12.5 ppg) and G/F Adonis Gray (13.1 ppg).

Weaknesses: Need a go-to guy to make the big shot. That had been Stefan Blaszczynski's role for the past few seasons. C Mitch Boyce showed some promise with his shooting, but the Colonels need someone to bang around inside. That will be an issue with a lineup that could feature four guards at many points during a game.

Scouting the newcomers: Piper has a load of new talent, all with the purpose of adding depth. Dominic Friend, a 6-7 wing, 6-0 guard Kellen Carter, 6-6 wing Anatoly Bose all likely will make big contributions. Carter likely will end up at point, while Bose and Friend fit in with Piper's system of "five out," getting defenses away from the basket.

Northwestern State

Strengths: F Colby Bargeman (11.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and F Trey Gilder (12.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) are going to be one of the best 1-2 frontline punches in the conference. On a team in which anyone could break through with a big game, Gilder saved one of his best for the end when he put up 25 points off the bench in the conference title game against A&M-Corpus Christi.

Weaknesses: Losing F Jermaine Spencer is a setback, but the issue is in the backcourt, where leading scorer Luke Rogers (13.5 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Kennan Jones (9.5 ppg, 6.3 apg) are gone, devastating what is a solid team everywhere else. Keithan Hancock (6.4 ppg, 43.5 percent 3-pointers) and Michael McConathy have experience, and sophomore Damon Jones has potential, but there will be a slight drop-off. A little help off the bench would go a long way.

Scouting the newcomers: Freshman G Dwayne Watkins could contribute immediately, helping patch some holes in the backcourt. Watkins averaged 24.5 points a game in high school and was praised by coach Mike McConathy as one of the best shooters he saw.

Southeastern Louisiana

Strengths: F Kevyn Green (8.5 ppg) returns to man one forward position, and C Patrick Sullivan (4.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) showed some nice flashes as a reserve last year.

Weaknesses: Both guards have to be replaced, as does center Joe Polite. Finding adequate shooters and a versatile wing player to replace Quennell Green -- that adds up to a lot of inexperience.

Scouting the newcomers: Just about everyone has a shot at making a big contribution. The team is building, and three starting spots truly are open. But G Chris Cyprian, a transfer from Northeastern, and freshman G Derrio Green promise to add scoring punch that is sorely missed.

WEST DIVISION

Sam Houston State

Strengths: Ryan Bright will be the go-to player, clutch shooter and leading scorer, as well as likely the leading rebounder. The post depth is decent with John Gardiner and Domas Kvedys, who played last season. There are some experienced options at the wing.

Weaknesses: Jejuan Plair was a master distributor at the point, and he had a decent scoring touch to boot. Someone needs to run the point -- maybe not as well as Plair, but reasonably close.

Scouting the newcomers: PG Ryan Bennett replaced Plair at McLennan Community College and might face the same task at Sam Houston. The Bearkats likely will be stronger on the boards with the addition of PF Barkley Faulkner, an NAIA transfer, who should help down low.

Stephen F. Austin

Strengths: Forward Josh Alexander is an exceptional player who can break out with big games. Center Matt Kingsley is not the prototypical lumbering big man but rather a player who has a nice perimeter jumper and can fight inside. Shooting guard Gerald Fonzie gives the team another reliable long-distance shooter.

Weaknesses: The Lumberjacks had struggles in the backcourt last season. With Gerald Fonzie moving to the two guard, a point is needed badly. Newcomers need to supply the bench strength.

Scouting the newcomers: Opportunity abounds. Freshmen G Preston Davis and Eddie Williams will get time in the backcourt, though pint-sized, 5-6 juco transfer Eric Bell looks like he has the starting role at the point. Junior transfer Jason Rogers should compete for quality time at shooting guard. Junior transfer Benson Akpan, at 6-9, 240 pounds, will add power and push for playing time, as will former juco Nick Shaw.

Texas State-San Marcos

Strengths: Scoring. This team should put up the points, and G Brandon Bush seems to be gradually becoming the main man. F Chris Agwumaro scored double-figures in his final six games, becoming a viable second option.

Weaknesses: Defense. Granted, Texas State wants to push that tempo. But having a minus-eight scoring margin is not the way to win games. Either the players figure it out, or the defensive system is flawed.

Scouting the newcomers: Freshman PF Jonathan Sloan has a chance to become the bruiser under the basket, utilizing his 6-8, 230-pound frame. Another freshman, C Ty Gough, seems to add size at 6-10, 255 pounds. If bulk gets into the lineup, then these players will see time.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Strengths: Pound that ball down low. C Chris Daniels (15.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) is one option, reserve C Carl Nelson -- the team's other returning scholarship player -- is another, and 7-foot sophomore transfer Filip Toncinic displayed some versatility and an unstoppable hook in practice.

Weaknesses: Point guard is a concern with a pair of four-year contributors gone, though there is new talent arriving. But outside shooting will be badly missed. Josh Washington held every Islanders 3-point record before graduating. He was the player who could free Daniels inside. A&M-Corpus Christi will need a zone-buster.

Scouting the newcomers: With two scholarship returners, everyone will have a chance. It's just a matter of who makes the most of it. Junior college point guard Tim Green gave Perry Clark high hopes of an experienced body at the point. Freshman G Shannon Shorter made an impressive debut in an offseason tour of Canada. Freshman F Isaiah Jackson is noted as a solid shot around the perimeter, and 6-9, 230-pound F Justin Reynolds is built like a bull. PG Kevin Perkins looked strong on an international offseason tour.

Texas-Arlington

Strengths: The front line is physical, has a dynamic athlete in Jermaine Griffin and a consummate team player in Anthony Vereen. Ro'ger Guignard was fifth in the league with 71 3-pointers made last season, and a year of experience should mean more consistency.

Weaknesses: The Mavs lack that super-athletic wing. SF Larry Posey is more Barkley-esque, as in the physique of a retired Charles Barkley, and Guignard and Rod Epps are smaller shooting guards.

Scouting the newcomers: Don't expect much from newcomers in the line of cracking the rotation. But one intriguing prospect is 6-8, 190-pound Trey Parker, coming off a redshirt season. Blessed with a 7-foot wingspan, Parker is a solid athlete and could be a problem if he joins the Mavs physical frontcourt.

Texas-San Antonio

Strengths: Experienced guards and a nice combination down low with PF Andrew Francis emerging last season as a solid contributor with 10-plus points a game and 6.7 rpg. Junior college transfer Travis Gabbidon is only expected to help the situation.

Weaknesses: PG Kurt Attaway was the set-up man, leading the team in assists. None of the current guards have developed in that role, so a newcomer might be needed. Unlike some of the other Southland teams, the Roadrunners also are missing that total-package athlete on the wing ... or he could be among the many newcomers.

Scouting the newcomers: Gabbidon suffered a knee injury that seemed to pull the energy out of the team before the season tipped. He is expected to make a quick impact and help down low. Freshman G Devin Gibson and junior college transfer Orrin Greer are expected to battle for the point guard role.