McNeese Basketball Faces TAMCC on National Television Saturday Night

Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - It's a big weekend in Lake Charles with the spring sports hosting Power 4 teams, women's basketball trying to win the Southland Conference women' title outright for the first time since 2011, but the men may take the cake as they will feature a primetime game on National Television in Lake Charles for the first time in program history.

When you step back and look at the Southland Conference from a thousand feet in the air, one thing is clear and evident: it is only getting stronger. With McNeese making a conscious effort to continue to buy into their basketball program, others in the conference have done the same, and it is really paying off for the league.

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This weekend, McNeese State will welcome Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to Townsley Law Arena for a nationally televised matchup. It marks the Cowboys’ second appearance on national TV this season, following their earlier home game against Lamar on CBS Sports Network.

McNeese will make another linear television appearance on March 2, when the Cowboys travel to Thibodaux to face Nicholls.

McNeese comes in at 22-5 overall and 15-3 in conference play. McNeese will look to lock up the #2 seed in the Southland Conference tournament with a win on Saturday.

Defensively, McNeese continues to set the tone. The Cowboys rank among the nation’s best in forcing turnovers, steals, and blocked shots. Their pressure defense has led to 10 or more steals in 15 games this season and helped them win 16 games by double digits.

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Texas A&M Corpus Christi comes into the matchup 14-13 overall and 10-8 in Southland Conference play. The Islanders currently hold the #4 seed in the conference tournament with two weekends remaining.

Sheldon Williams leads the way for the Islanders, averaging nearly 12 points and 7 rebounds per game. In contrast, Nick Shogbonyo and Mason Gibson both average double figures and can stretch the floor from three. The Islanders are active defensively. They are third in the Southland Conference in steals per game, and they crash the boards, holding opponents to 68 points per game.

In the first matchup, McNeese dominated Texas A&M Corpus-Christi on the Texas trip, which followed a loss to UTRGV. Larry Johnson led McNeese with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Carl Cherenfant and Tyshawn Archie added 13 each. The Cowboys dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Islanders 39-19 and limiting them to just five offensive rebounds and four second-chance points.

McNeese and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi will meet for the 31st time. The Islanders lead the all-time series 19-11, but the Cowboys have won five straight meetings, including a 69-53 victory earlier this season.

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Updated 2026 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Standings

SFA (17-1, 24-3)
McNeese (15-3, 22-5)
UTRGV (11-7, 15-12)
A&M-Corpus Christi (10-8, 14-13)
New Orleans (10-8, 12-15)
Nicholls (10-8, 11-16)
Lamar (7-11, 12-15)
East Texas A&M (6-12, 11-17)
Houston Christian (6-12, 10-17)
Northwestern State (6-12, 8-19)
UIW (5-13, 10-17)
Southeastern (5-13, 8-19)

How To Watch McNeese/Texas A&M Corpus Christi

McNeese will take on Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Saturday Night inside Townsley Law Arena with tip-off set for 7:00. The game can be seen on ESPNU with Kevin Fitzgerald and Mark Wise on the call.