LSU-Alexandria is by far the least-heralded program visiting Burton Coliseum during McNeese State’s upcoming three-game homestand. In fact, the Generals have no heraldry whatsoever — this is the first season for the NAIA program.

They are not to be overlooked, however.

LSU-A has given trouble to all three Division I opponents it has faced this season. The Generals, bolstered by a lineup featuring seven D-I transfers, fell to Lamar by 3, Southern by 11 and were tied with Northwestern State with two minutes to go before the Demons hit their free throws to pull away by 10.

LSU-A is 5-1 against the competition at its own level. So McNeese coach Dave Simmons considers his opponent for tonight’s 7 p.m. game to be plenty dangerous.

“They’re hungry. They’ve been playing people well,” Simmons said. “We have to play them just like anybody else on our schedule. We’re not looking ahead. Our kids know they are very dangerous.”

Simmons said the Generals like to push the tempo even more than his own team does.

“They want a fast-paced game,” Simmons said. “We love to play fast, but they will shoot it a lot quicker than we will. Any player with the ball in his hands can be dangerous.”

The Cowboys (4-3) will look to stay unbeaten at home. McNeese is coming off a 68-50 loss at Texas Christian.

Cowboys forward Desharick Guidry will go for his seventh straight double-double. He is tied for fourth in the country with six on the season.

Toledo will come to Burton on Saturday.(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman