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Tuesday, November 7
Southland Conference Breakdown

ESPN.com

HOW THEY'LL STACK UP

MCNEESE STATE: Past two conference scoring leaders in same backcourt.

TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO: Needs to find stability at point.

NORTHWESTERN ST.: Top newcomer in conference a bonus.

LAMAR: Back to middle of the pack.

NICHOLLS STATE: Another team in need of a floor general.

SAM HOUSTON ST.: Lost beef down low but have athletic backcourt.

LA-MONROE: Won't win 19 again but could surprise in postseason.

SE LOUISIANA: Should be a high-water mark season.

TEXAS-ARLINGTON: The Mavericks are bigger but not necessarily better.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN: Just 10 victories over past two seasons; 6 last year.

SW TEXAS STATE: Too many changes to expect success.

Tuesday, Nov. 7
Tierre Brown is on the radar screen for NBA scouts and that alone is reason to put McNeese State atop the Southland. But two starters return from two seasons ago in Demond Mallet and Adrian Johnson. The Cowboys took a hit last season with only six victories, but they can move up in this conference where turnover is high.

But don't count out Tim Carter at Texas-San Antonio. Carter was a finalist for a few jobs in the offseason. Carter has had his teams ready in March and could get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in two years.

ESPN.com All-Southland

Guard: Tierre Brown
Senior, 6-2, McNeese State

Guard: Demond Mallet
Senior, 6-1, McNeese State

Forward: Devin Brown
Junior, 6-4, Texas-San Antonio

Forward: Jeremy Burkhalter
Senior, 6-4, Sam Houston State

Center: Wojciech Myrda
Junior, 7-1, Louisiana-Monroe

Player of Year ...
Tierre Brown, G, McNeese State
Averaged 22 points to lead the conference in scoring a year ago. He has backcourt mate Memond Mallet is back this season after sitting out last season with an injury. Mallet led the Southland in scoring before Brown.

Introducing ...
Michael Byars-Dawson, G, Northwestern State
Dawson is expected to simply score points for the Demons after transferring in from Miami (Fla.). The 5-foot-11 junior can play both guard spots as well as some small forward, believe it or not. In limited action for the Canes, he scored 14 against Villanova and 12 against Providence as a freshman, and 10 against Kentucky as a sophomore.

Best backcourt ...
McNeese State: Tierre Bown and Demond Mallet. The past two conference scoring champs team up this season to make the Cowboys the team to beat. Mallet averaged 17.6 points before sitting out last season, while Brown put up 22 a night last season. When they need a rest, Jaeson Maravich, a 6-5 juco transfer, and point guards Chauncey Bryant and Eldrige Lewis are ready to come off the bench.

Best frontcourt ...
Texas-San Antonio: McEverett Powers, Reggie Minnieweather and "Punchie" Parker. The Roadrunners frontline is stacked, with these three and sophomores Ike Akotabai and Josh Mattison who are waiting in the wings.

Team on way up ...
McNeese State: After injuries decimated the Cowboys last season during a 6-21 , the backcourt will get them back on track.

Team on way down ...
Lamar: Remember, this team was 8-10 in conference before making a remarkable run into the NCAA Tournament.

Tournament tough ...
NCAA: McNeese State.

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