FINAL RECORD
22-8 overall, 10-6 Southland Conference, second West Division, third overall.

WHAT WENT RIGHT
F Ryan Bright might have been the second-best player in the Southland Conference for the second year in a row, a dominating rebounder who could score. Shamir McDaniel, a role-player last season, stepped up as the needed scorer. Sophomore PG Ashton Mitchell showed promise at the point. The team's defense was top-notch and stifling in the halfcourt.

WHAT WENT WRONG
After bumping off Texas Tech to get the season going, Sam Houston seemed to run through opponents most of the season. But the Bearkats stumbled toward the end, losing three of their last seven. During that stretch, two of the teams overpowered Sam Houston inside, getting easy opportunities against a tough defense.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"These guys set a school record for regular-season victories with 22. They set all kinds of records at Sam for us. They received votes for a while in the (Associated Press) Top 25. They played extremely good basketball and they got a lot to be proud of. It's very difficult to have that last defeat. It's very sudden." -- Sam Houston coach Bob Marlin, to the Huntsville Item, after his team was knocked off in the Southland Conference tournament semifinals by seven-seed Texas-Arlington.

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