Commentary
Southland breakdown
Sam Houston State's new big man, Pat Knight's incoming class worth watching
Updated: October 11, 2011, 3:17 PM ET
By John Stovall | Recruiting Nation
Here are a few things to pay attention to in the Southland as the NCAA basketball season nears and signing day is around the corner:
There are a few possibilities for top freshman in the Southland. Northwestern State may have signed the best class in the conference (SG Jalan West and PF Marvin Frazier) but Sam Houston State's Holyfield has the potential to be the best individual freshman in the Southland. The 6-foot-10 center is long and athletic with great upside and tons of potential. He has the tools to be an impact player from Day 1 in the conference and could even develop into a player who gets paid to play at some level in the not so distant future. Overall, Holyfield could be the best big man in the conference before it is all said and done.
Best incoming freshman
C Michael Holyfield to Sam Houston StateThere are a few possibilities for top freshman in the Southland. Northwestern State may have signed the best class in the conference (SG Jalan West and PF Marvin Frazier) but Sam Houston State's Holyfield has the potential to be the best individual freshman in the Southland. The 6-foot-10 center is long and athletic with great upside and tons of potential. He has the tools to be an impact player from Day 1 in the conference and could even develop into a player who gets paid to play at some level in the not so distant future. Overall, Holyfield could be the best big man in the conference before it is all said and done.
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2012 CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS

Recruiting Nation will be breaking down every conference throughout the month. ![]()
- Conference USA
Memphis SF Thomas is one to watch - Southland
Sleeper Australian F at Nicholls State - Missouri Valley
New Missouri State coach already thriving - Summit League
Early playing time for Oakland SF Poches - Mountain West
Lobos, Broncos pluck talent from Australia - Big Sky
Northern Arizona diving into California - America East
Vermont's McGlynn to have instant impact - Atlantic 10
Xavier staying atop the conference - Ivy League
Harvard establishing itself inside with Smith - Independents
New SGs Lamb, Taylor worth watching - Big East
Drummond could be key to UConn repeat - Patriot League
Holy Cross PG given opportunity to thrive - ACC
Duke's Rivers, UNC's Hairston will factor in - Big 12
Baylor keeps bring in the bigs - MAAC
Instant impact for Niagra's new PG - NEC
Monmouth SF Nicholas worth watching - Southern
Charleston's ESPNU 100 C will be a force - Atlantic Sun
FGC's SG will have immediate impact - CAA
George Mason adds an ESPNU 100 center - MEAC
Hornets' highlight-reel dunker is must see - WAC
Aggies' new 7-3 center will be a force - Big Ten
Indiana C Zeller will have instant impact - Ohio Valley
Missouri State's new PF to have big impact - Big South
High Point's bringing in a three-star SF - SEC
Will Kentucky's class live up to the hype? - Horizon
Butler Bulldogs add clutch-shooting SF - MAC
Kent State, Ohio add scoring guards - Big West
Long Beach State's new PG is must see - WCC
Zags incoming trio worth watching