BEAUMONT – The final game of the men's basketball regular season ends up being the most important of the 31 game schedule for the McNeese Cowboys, that's because their postseason hopes are on the line when they visit the Lamar Cardinals in Part II of The Battle of the Border series in Southland Conference action.
Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 at Lamar's Montagne Center and will follow a 2 o'clock game between the Cowgirls and Lady Cardinals. Both games will broadcast live on ESPN3 via Lamar Productions.
The Cowboys (14-16, 9-10 SLC) don't necessarily need a win to qualify for next week's tournament, but will need some help if they cannot avenge a 96-91 loss to the Cardinals (16-14, 10-9) back on Feb. 1 in Lake Charles.
According to the scenarios the Southland Conference released on Thursday, McNeese is in the tournament with a win, not matter if there's a 3-way, 4-way, or even a 5-way tie in the standings. In fact, if there is a 5-way tie among McNeese, Lamar, Northwestern State, Central Arkansas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Cowboys would emerge as the No. 6 seed.
The Cowboys could either be the 6 or 7 seed if there's a 4-way tie with Lamar, NSU and UCA at 10-10; the 7 seed in a 3-way tie with Lamar and AMCC at 10-10; No. 7 in a 3-way tie at 9-11 with UCA and AMCC; and No. 8 in a 2-way tie with AMCC at 9-11. If the Cowboys are in a two-way tie with UCA at 9-11, the Bears will earn the No. 8 seed and McNeese eliminated.
Sha'markus Kennedy continues his quest as the league's player of the year and will lead the Cowboys into the finale, leading the league in rebounding (10.5) while ranking second in scoring (18.6). He also tops the Southland in field goal percentage (.693) where he ranks No. 2 in the NCAA, and also leads the way with 15 double-doubles, 26 double-figure scoring games, 15 double-figure rebounding games, and 14 20-points or more scoring contests.
Dru Kuxhausen, who was held scoreless at Nicholls on Wednesday, is averaging 15.0 points a game and leads the nation with 120 three-pointers made, a school and conference record.
A.J. Lawson is sinking 14.8 points a contest.
Lamar has clinched a spot on the tournament and could finish as high as the No. 5 seed.
The conference tourney gets underway next Wednesday at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.
