At the end of last summer, I was invited to attend the American Southwest Conference basketball coaches’ annual meeting in Dallas. Aside from the Texas Rangers/Cleveland Indians game and the fried alligator (it actually does taste like chicken), the main topic of discussion was how to increase exposure for the conference, and help it get an at-large team into the NCAA Tournament.

The 16-team conference is relatively isolated, with few non-conference Division III opponents to choose from. But the teams also play 22 conference games (everyone in the division twice, everyone else once), so there is precious little opportunity to showcase a program outside the league. I recommended, among other things that schools concentrate on playing D-III opponents rather than local NAIA schools, including teaming up with their conference travel partner and sponsoring a holiday classic to attract schools from other parts of the country.

It’s been a year. Some have changed their ways, some not so much. East Texas Baptist’s men and women each do not play one single Division III team out of conference. Jarvis Christian, LSU-Shreveport and Wiley College won’t get any respect or at-large consideration for the Tigers, nor will they help any other ASC team. Louisiana College’s men play three Division I schools, so congrats for the payday, but remember that you’re a Division III school and you should consider playing some Division III schools.

Grading each men’s team’s schedule

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