2018–19 Southland Conference men's basketball season


The 2018–19 Southland Conference men's basketball season, the conference's 56th, began with practices in October 2018, followed by the start of the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 6, 2018. Conference play began on January 2, 2019 concluding on March 9, 2019. The Sam Houston State Bearkats won the regular season championship with a conference record of 16–2. The 2019 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament was held in Katy, Texas at the Merrell Center from March 13–17, 2019. The 2nd seeded Abilene Christian Wildcats won the conference tournament championship and received the conference automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Two other teams also received bids to post season tournaments. Conference regular season champion, Sam Houston State, received the conference automatic bid to the NIT tournament. New Orleans received a bid to the CIT tournament.

Preseason

Coaching changes

announced that it would not renew the contract of former head coach Dave Simmons on March 4, 2018. Heath Schroyer was named head coach on March 15, 2018.
Incarnate Word announced that Ken Burmeister would not return on March 6, 2018. Carson Cunningham was named as men's basketball head coach on March 23, 2018.

2018-19 Southland Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

Preseason All-Conference Teams

Source:
AwardRecipients
First TeamMarlain Veal
Shannon Bogues
Kevon Harris
T. J. Holyfield
Ishmael Lane
Second TeamJosh Ibarra
Jalone Friday
Josh Nzeakor
Jaren Lewis
Marcus Harris

Postseason

Southland Conference Tournament

Source:

NCAA tournament

Abilene Christian, winner of the conference tournament, was awarded an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. Abilene Christian's season ended losing to Kentucky in the first round.

National Invitation Tournament

Sam Houston State received the conference automatic bid to the NIT tournament. The Bearkats lost in the first round of the tournament to TCU.

CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament

New Orleans received a bid to the CIT. The Privateers lost in an overtime game to Texas Southern in the first round.

Awards and honors

Regular season

SLC Player-of-the-Week

SLC All-Conference Teams and Awards

Source:
AwardRecipients
Coach of the YearJoe Golding
Player of the YearCameron Delaney
Defensive Player of the YearIshmael Lane
Freshman of the YearGerrale Gates
Newcomer of the YearKai Mitchell
First TeamCameron Delaney
Marlain Veal
Ishmael Lane
Moses Greenwood
Nick Garth
Second TeamKevon Harris
Josh Nzeakor
Jaren Lewis
Shannon Bogues
Ian DuBose
Third TeamJaylen Franklin
Josh Delaney
Kai Mitchell
Ezekial Charles
Kareem South
Honorable MentionRoydell Brown
Jeremiah Jefferson
Payten Ricks
Thatch Unruh
All-Defensive TeamIshmael Lane
Jaylen Franklin
Braxton Bonds
Marlain Veal
Hayden Koval
First Team All-AcademicJaren Lewis
Jeremiah Jefferson
Hayden Koval
Ishmael Lane
Oliver Lynch-Daniels
Ian DuBose
Hayden Farquhar
Scott Plaisance, Jr.
Kareem Smith
All-Tournament TeamJaren Lewis
Jaylen Franklin
Payten Ricks
Scott Plaisance, Jr.
Josh Nzeakor
Tournament MVPJaren Lewis