March Madness Spotlight: Southeastern Louisiana

Every day this week I am profiling one local team and their history in the NCAA Tournament. Today we are looking at the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, down on the Northshore in Hammond, America. Who have not made the Tourney since the 2004-05 season, their first and only appearance in the Big Dance.

NCAA Tournament Appearances
1 (2005)

NCAA Tournament Record
0-1

NIT Appearances
1 (2018)

The SLU Lions basketball journey began during the 1947–1948 season. As a fledgling program, the Lions focused on building a foundation with limited resources originally competing on a lower level conference of the NAIA. A pivotal moment for the Lions came in the 1980s when the program transitioned to Division I. By 1997 the Lions had joined the Southland Conference, where they would form a fierce rivalry with local colleges New Orleans, McNeese State and Northwestern State.

(Above: Picayune native Brandon Fortenberry was one of the greatest players in program history (2008-2013). He later had a career overseas in Bulgaria and Bosnia)

The pinnacle of Southeastern Louisiana’s basketball history came during the 2004–05 season. Under the leadership of head coach Billy Kennedy, the Lions reached new heights, capturing the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles. This success earned them their first and only NCAA Tournament appearance in March 2005.

(Before he was head coach at Murray State and Texas A&M, Billy Kennedy was at the helm of the Lions program from (1999-2005) and guided the Lions to their first and only NCAA Appearance.)

On March 18, 2005 the Lions would play in their first and only NCAA Tournament appearance. Seeded as 15 seed the Lions traveled to Oklahoma City for a matchup with #2 Oklahoma State, one of college basketball’s hottest teams that year coached by the legendary Eddie Sutton. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Lions demonstrated their grit and determination, putting up a spirited fight. The Lions managed to keep the game competitive, trailing by just nine points at halftime 35-26, but the Cowboys maintained control in the second half to secure the win. In what was basically home game for Oklahoma State being located just 90 miles from Stillwater.

(Above: New Orleans native Ricky Woods was the star player on the 2004-05 SLU team. He would later have prominent career in Germany, Japan, Israel and Mexico)

Despite the loss, the Lions’ appearance in the tournament marked a significant milestone for the program, as it was their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. This game remains a proud moment in Southeastern Louisiana’s basketball history.