Northwestern State vs McNeese: Southland Conference Semifinals Preview

The Southland Conference is one of the premier collegiate basketball conferences in the country, and this week's semifinals matchup between Northwestern State and McNeese is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with Northwestern State earning a top-20 RPI and McNeese making a run all the way to the tournament's top four. In this article, we'll break down what to expect from this matchup and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

As the top two seeds in the Southland Conference tournament, Northwestern State and McNeese have made it to the semifinals in convincing fashion. The Demons, led by senior forward Arlonni Fernandes, have been on a tear, winning 10 of their last 12 games to earn the top seed in the tournament. McNeese, meanwhile, has relied on the impressive play of guard Marqueze Conner to carry the team to the semifinals, where they'll face off against the reigning conference champions.

With both teams having already secured their spots in the NCAA Tournament, the stakes are high in this matchup. The winner will take home the conference tournament championship and a spot in the NCAA's 68-team field. The loser will still make the field, but it will be a significant blow to their postseason aspirations.

Team Statistics

Before we dive into the matchup, let's take a look at the key statistics for both teams.

• Northwestern State:
  • RPI: 23
  • Strength of schedule:.589
  • Points per game: 74.2
  • Points allowed per game: 66.5
  • Three-point shooting percentage:.404
• McNeese:
  • RPI: 36
  • Strength of schedule:.571
  • Points per game: 73.5
  • Points allowed per game: 68.2
  • Three-point shooting percentage:.409

As you can see, both teams have impressive offensive and defensive stats, but Northwestern State has a slight edge in points per game and points allowed per game.

Matchup Analysis

So, what can we expect from this matchup? Let's break down the key factors to consider.

• On offense, both teams have been effective at getting buckets. Northwestern State has relied on the inside-outside combo of Fernandes and forward Alex Hamilton, while McNeese has used Conner and guard Jaren Williams to attack from outside. We can expect a high-scoring game, with both teams looking to exploit each other's weaknesses.
• On defense, both teams have been solid, but Northwestern State has been slightly better in terms of defensive efficiency. The Demons have been able to limit opponents to just 66.5 points per game, while McNeese has allowed 68.2 points per game.
• The key to the game may come down to free throw shooting. Both teams have struggled from the line, with Northwestern State shooting just 68.2% and McNeese shooting 64.5%. Whoever can get to the line and make their free throws will have a significant advantage.

Key Players to Watch

In addition to the team statistics, there are several key players to watch in this matchup.

• Arlonni Fernandes (Northwestern State): Fernandes has been the backbone of the Demons' offense, scoring 18.5 points per game and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per contest.
• Marqueze Conner (McNeese): Conner has been McNeese's top scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game and dishing out 5.5 assists per contest.
• Alex Hamilton (Northwestern State): Hamilton has been a consistent contributor for the Demons, scoring 14.2 points per game and grabbing 7.3 rebounds per contest.

Coaching Style

Both teams have been led by experienced coaches, but their styles of play have been slightly different.

• Chris Pketawoman (Northwestern State): Pketawoman has been a steady presence at the helm of the Demons, leading the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances in the last five seasons. He's a possession-to-possesion coach who emphasizes transition basketball and getting his players involved in the offense.
• Grant McCasland (McNeese): McCasland has been in charge of the Cowboys for just two seasons, but he's already made a significant impact. He's a strong defender who emphasizes switching and helping to get his players in position to make plays on both ends of the floor.

Previous Meetings

These teams have met twice this season, with Northwestern State emerging victorious both times.

• Northwestern State won 72-65 on January 24th, behind 20 points from Fernandes and 18 points from Hamilton.
• Northwestern State won 78-73 on February 21st, despite Conner's 32 points, as the Demons were able to pull away in the fourth quarter.

Game Plan

To succeed in this matchup, both teams will need to come up with a solid game plan. Here are a few key strategies to consider.

• Limit Conner's touches: McNeese's offense has been fueled by Conner's play, but Northwestern State may try to limit his touches by using a combination of zone defense and switching to guard him closely.
• Attack the paint: Northwestern State has been one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, and they may try to exploit McNeese's weakness in the paint. Hamilton has been a threat in the paint, and the Demons may look to get him involved early and often.
• Shoot from three: Both teams have struggled from the three-point line, but Northwestern State may try to stretch the defense by using their three-point shooting. Fernandes has been a