BEAUMONT, Texas – It might sound odd, but Lamar University will step on the court Saturday for its 2025-26 Southland Conference opener. It marks the first second year in a row that LU will open conference play before Christmas as well as the second consecutive year opening against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
The Cardinals are 5-2 (.714) after their 10-point victory over UL Lafayette Wednesday in Beaumont. Big Red is off to its best start since 2017-18 having won four of its last five, with the only loss during that stretch being a contest against a talented Oakland squad which was Lamar's second game in less than 24 hours.
 
The Islanders are 2-5 (.286) but have faced a very tough non-conference slate with games at SMU, Tarleton State, No. 25 Kansas, Oklahoma State and Xavier.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series between the two schools, 26-15 (.634), including a 15-7 (.682) record in games played in Beaumont. LU has won consecutive games in the series, but the two schools have split the last six. Lamar enters the Saturday showdown looking for three-straight wins for the first tie since 2017-18 and 2018-19.
 
Saturday's contest is set for a 6 p.m. start for the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will tip at 6 p.m. and be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Islanders
The Cardinals lead the all-time series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 26-15 (.634), including a 15-7 record in Beaumont. LU has won consecutive games in the series, but the two schools have split the last six. Lamar enters the Saturday showdown looking for three-straight wins for the first time since 2017-18 to 2018-19.
   
Defending the Nest
Lamar University has made Neches Arena one of the toughest venues for opponents to play over the course of its 40-plus year history. The Cardinals are 383-192 (.665) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. Lamar is 3-0 at home this year.
 
LU in SLC Openers
The Cardinals are 32-18 (.640) all-time in Southland Conference openers and enter Saturday's contest having won consecutive SLC openers. The 2025-26 season also marks the second consecutive season that Lamar has opened conference play against the Islanders. Lamar is 2-0 all-time against A&M-Corpus Christi in those games. Saturday's contest will be the third time in the past four years that LU has opened conference play at home.
 
Hot Start
Lamar has jumped out of the gates quickly this season posting a 5-2 (.714) record through the first seven games. The current record is the best start for the Red and White since the 2017-18 season when they opened the year 6-1.
 
The Double-Double bEAST
Sophomore Braden East recorded his third double-double in the team's past four games. He led Lamar with a game-high 24 points and tied a career high with 12 rebounds. Over the course of the team's past four games he is averaging 14.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
 
20 Somethings
Lamar has had a player score at least 20 points in a game five times this season, coming from four different players. Sophomore Braden East added his name to that list Wednesday with his career-high 24 points in the victory over UL Lafayette.
 
The Great Wall of Beaumont
Picking up where he left off last season, senior Andrew Holifield is one of the SLC's top shot blockers again in 2025-26. He blocked three shots in the win against UL Lafayette. It marks the fourth time this season he has recorded multiple blocks in a game and the third time he has recorded at least three blocks. He is currently second in the league averaging 2.1 per game. 
 
Building on the Past
Head coach Alvin Brooks has a direct link to Lamar's successful history. One in a long line of LU standout point guards, Brooks guided the Cards to a 47-16 (.746) overall record, two conference titles, the NCAA Sweet 16, a 3-2 NCAA tournament record and graduated as the school's all-time leader in assists.
 
The Cardinal Rule
Lamar has been one of the Southland's more dominant teams. LU has won 53 percent of league games and has more NCAA tournament appearances than any of the current SLC schools (6), and their five NIT berths are also tops in the league. LU has had 85 players earn All-SLC honors, including 32 first-team selections. Six players have been named league newcomer of the year, five SLC tournament MVPs, four SLC Players of the Year and three SLC All-Defensive team picks, two freshmen of the year and a defensive player of the year.