Jumping out of the gate with 11 consecutive conference wins, Sam Houston State was able to pull away and not get caught. Closing the season at 3-2 looks a little suspect, but both losses came in overtime, so no need to worry. Led by swingmen Gilberto Clavell and Corey Allmond, the Bearcats look like the team to beat.

The Teams: Sam Houston State (14-2 Southland, 22-7 Overall), Stephen F. Austin (11-5, 21-8), Southeastern Louisiana (10-6, 18-11), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (10-6, 16-14), Texas-San Antonio (9-7, 19-10), Texas State (9-7, 15-15), Texas-Arlington (8-8, 16-13), Nicholls State (7-9, 11-18), Lamar (5-11, 14-18), Northwestern State (5-11, 10-19), McNeese State (5-11, 10-20), Central Arkansas (3-13, 9-21)

Players to watch: Marquez Haynes, Tex.-Arlington (22.8ppg), Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State (20.4ppg), Kevin Palmer, Texas A&M C.C. (19.7ppg), Gilberto Clavell, Sam Houston State (16.9ppg), Corey Allmond, Sam Houston State (16.3ppg)

Winner: Sam Houston State. They were the class of the conference all season long, going 14-2, nothing should change come tournament time.

NCAA Tournament Outlook(s): One and Done.

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