We want to go up against the best possible teams we can before we get into the SWAC. We need to play in hostile environments because this league will not be easy.

Southern played good defense, but the opportunities we missed weren't about the defense. Several times we had open shots and just missed. When you miss easy shots against a team like Southern, it comes back to haunt you.

The tournament is a whole different ball game. Everybody will step it up a notch, and I think our chances of advancing are real good. This tournament is really up for grabs because I think any of the eight teams can make it to the finals.

Their inside game allowed them to get things done. We had too many scoring opportunities that we didn't respond well to.

You can't afford to go through a scoring drought like that against a good team like Jackson State. We didn't do a good job of protecting the basketball.

Things went kind of slow for them midway through the season, but they have picked things up the last couple of weeks. They've been very good the last few weeks.