The fight for the last four spots...

Here are the remaining schedules for teams fighting for the final couple spots in the Southland Conference tournament (in order of standing right now)...

Lamar — @UTSA, @TAMUCC, Nicholls State

Combined record: 25-14

McNeese State — @Nicholls State, SELA, @UCA

Combined record: 15-24

Texas State — Northwestern State, UTSA, @SHSU

Combined record: 20-19

Just by looking at it, McNeese has the easiest road into the tournament, playing teams with a combined record of 15-24, yet, two of its games are on the road. Lamar has the toughest schedule and could lose two out of its last three games. 

So, it puts the pressure on Texas State. The Bobcats should be able to handle Northwestern State at home, but then the true test begins. Texas State will play UTSA and then travel to Huntsville.

The Bobcats just might have another meaningful game against Sam Houston State with its playoff life on the line. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Texas State basketball vs. SFA

Both Texas State basketball teams have dates with Stephen F. Austin tonight in pivotal Southland Conference match-ups. The Bobcat men and women team need wins to stay alive in the race for the SLC tourney.

Right now, the Texas State men's team is still in ninth place. The Bobcats are a game behind Lamar by virtue of common opponents and would be on the outside-looking in should the conference tournament begin today.

Texas State plays SFA, who is tied atop the SLC with a 9-3 record. The Lumberjacks are 11-0 at home, so the Bobcats will need to play like they did against Nicholls State last Saturday afternoon.

The Texas State women are in seventh place in the SLC, right above Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Bobcats are 5-7, while SFA is 8-4. 

The Lady Jacks are currently holding down the fourth seed if the SLC tournament started today. SFA is 4-7 away from home, so Texas State should have a good shot tonight.

This will be the 56th meeting between the women's teams. The Lady Jacks hold a 48-8 advantage.

Current SLC standings (top 8*)

Men

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SFA 9-3

SHSU 9-3

TAMUCC 9-3

UTA 8-4

Nicholls State 8-4

UTSA 7-5

McNeese State 5-7

Lamar 5-7

Texas State 5-7

Women

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UTSA 10-2

UTA 10-2

Lamar 9-3

SFA 8-4

Northwestern State 7-5

Southeastern La. 7-5

Texas State 5-7

TAMUCC 5-7

Vanlandingham to leave Texas State...

Texas State assistant men's basketball coach Russell Vanlandingham will be leaving the program. He accepted a position at Our Lady of the Lakes University as head coach. OLLU plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

http://www.ollusa.edu/s/346/ollu.aspx?sid=346&gid=1&pgid=4383

Wrapping up Texas State vs. Texas A&M (softball)

• Texas State is now 3-1 against the Big XII this season.
• The Bobcats have beat Oklahoma State, Texas and now Texas A&M. Texas State used late rallies to get by both the Longhorns and Aggies.
• Chandler Hall, Bobcat starting pitcher, allowed two solo home runs. The first was on a 3-2 count, while the other came on the first pitch of the at-bat. Hall recovered to retire the side both times after the homers.
• Leah Boatright went 3-for-4, after going 3-for-10 at the UH-Crowne Plaza Classic.
• Texas State set an attendance record. 1,353 fans watched the Bobcats beat A&M. Fans were lined up along the fence as it was standing room only.

Texas State softball vs. Texas A&M

Don't look now, but college softball is gearing up. Texas State (5-4) is already nine games into its 2009 season.

Tonight, the Bobcats host Texas A&M in their home opener. Texas State also opens the newly renovated Bobcat Field tonight and is expecting a sizable crowd.

The Bobcats have only won nine game in 62 tries against the Aggies (5-5). Texas A&M comes into the game ranked 19th in the nation and went 1-4 in a recent tournament. The Aggies were ranked fifth, but dropped to 19th from their losses.

Texas State has taken down several giants this season (Texas and Houston) and are 2-1 against the Big XII this season. The Bobcats' offense will need to step up as they are only averaging 3.7 runs per game.

Chandler Hall will most likely get the start for Texas State.

Bobcats continue to slide in RPI...

Even after scoring a huge road win the Texas State men's basketball team continues to drop in recent RPI rankings.

The Bobcats were 281st a week ago and despite hanging close with McNeese State and beating Lamar on the road, they slid to 303rd. There are 341 teams ranked in Division I-A.

Texas State is ranked two spots below Houston Baptist and is second-to-last in the Southland Conference (UCA is 319th).

Current SLC men's basketball standings...

A huge win by Texas State on the road against Lamar put the Bobcats into eighth. If the Southland Conference tournament began right now, Texas State would be invited. The Bobcats have a tough stretch coming up with Nicholls State (Feb. 21) and Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 25).

Sam Houston State 8-2
Texas A&M-CC 8-2
Stephen F. Austin 8-3
Nicholls State 8-3
UTSA 6-4
UTA 6-4
McNeese State 4-6
Texas State 4-7
Lamar 3-7
Southeastern Louisiana 3-7

http://www.southland.org/standings/Standings.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&SPID=10825