The desperation level has turned up a notch for McNeese State’s men’s basketball team.

The Cowboys (6-9, 0-4 Southland) are still searching for their first conference win and getting to the point where the hole they are in can’t get much deeper before it swallows their season whole.

“After non-conference, we thought we’d come into conference with a better record than we have right now,” said senior guard Kevin Hardy. “But we can’t let that get us down, because then the season will start to tank. So we are just focusing on getting better every day and everything else will fall in line.”

A cupcake team would be a most welcome sight for McNeese given its current struggles, but that isn’t what the Cowboys will get when Abilene Christian visits Burton Coliseum tonight. The Wildcats (9-8, 3-1) have only lost to Stephen F. Austin in league play, and have looked comfortable playing at the breakneck pace of Northwestern State, whom they beat 95-81, or the more deliberate style of Nicholls State, whom they downed 71-54.

“That’s a very good basketball team when you are able to play in your opponent’s style and still win,” said McNeese coach Dave Simmons. “It was a tight game here last year. They shoot extremely well. Good teams can make adjustments to whatever the game dictates.”

In McNeese’s three losses since taking SFA to the wire in the league opener, a lack of consistent scoring from anybody not named Kevin Hardy or Desharick Guidry has been a significant problem.

Keelan Garrett has shown flashes, going 11 of 17 from the field against SFA and 5 of 12 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. However, he was a combined 2-for-17 in the Houston Baptist and Sam Houston State games.

Simmons said Garrett will be a game-time decision after suffering an injury at Sam Houston State.

“We think he’ll be OK, but if he can’t go we’ll start Shaun Johnson,” Simmons said.

The key for the Cowboys is getting four to score.

In all six of their wins, the Cowboys have either had four players scoring in double figures or three in double figures with the fourth one basket shy of joining them.

“When we play three guys that are scoring, we’re right there. When four guys are playing well, we have a chance to win,” Simmons said. “When five guys are playing well, we’re in pretty good shape.”

It’s getting to the point that Simmons may need to leave no stone unturned in the search for additional scoring.

“When you’re 0-4, everything is on the table,” Simmons said. “You have to give some guys who are biting at the bit the opportunity. You’re looking for the right guy to step in and make a contribution.”

(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman