This didn't used to happen when Billy Tubbs was on the sidelines in Beaumont; Lamar's campaign has suddenly turned in the wrong direction with losses in three straight as the offense has bogged down, just 63 ppg across that span. Included was a shocking loss to a poor New Orleans team. Note top scorer G Alexis Marmolejos (15.2 ppg) recently scored in single digits in four straight before netting 0 in Saturday's loss at McNeese. Meanwhile, the Colonels have surged into Southland contention and part of a current 9-3 S run fueled lately by former Niagara transfer G Robert Brown III, scoring at a 23 ppg pace his last three games. Play Nicholls.

KenPom ranks Nicholls 15 spots higher for this Southland matchup. Nicholls was picked third in the conference preseason poll and got three first-place votes, while Lamar was chosen fifth. The game was moved up to the afternoon due to potential inclement weather heading in Louisiana so it's an even shorter turnaround for Lamar after losing Saturday at McNeese State, the Cards' second straight league loss. LU and Nicholls have three common opponents so far with both winning against Louisiana and UIW. The Colonels defeated New Orleans in their last home game while the Privateers beat Lamar.