MIDDLE OPTION—Southeastern's Patrick Sullivan, shown here being defended by McNeese State's John Pichon, is expected to follow up his career-high 20-point performance against the Cowboys Saturday night against a much-smaller Lamar ball club.

It it's not one thing for Southeastern guard Chris Cyprian, it's the other. This time, it's "the other" - and it comes at a bad time in the schedule.

With a Southland Conference East Division showdown looming Saturday with division-leading Lamar, the Lions are back to sweating Cyprian's availability. And considering depth is one of Lamar's strong suits, that's not a good thing.

Cyprian, whose arrival at Southeastern was delayed a semester on the one-year transfer rule, then an additional month with a broken hand, sat out Wednesday's 90-61 romp over McNeese State with an infected toe.

The Lions (13-8, 5-3) didn't need him against the reeling Cowboys. But the Cardinals (11-8, 5-1) are a different breed, especially in their home nest on a Saturday night in Beaumont.

Tip time is 7 :05 p.m.; radio coverage is available on KSLU 90.9 FM and at www.lionsports.net.

"I think they're a lot like the old Northwestern State teams of a few years back - very athletic, come at you in waves, 10 deep; they've got 10 guys who (average) 13 or more minutes," Lions coach Jim Yarbrough said.

"They're going to stretch us out," Yarbrough said. "It's not small ball; they're 6-4 to 6-6. But it's definitely going to be a quick and perimeter type game vs. hopefully going inside and out, and that's where Cyp can help us."

IF Cyp can help them.

"I think someone's got a voodoo doll on him," Yarbrough said of Cyprian, whose status will depend on how well and quickly he responds to treatment. "It's just the most bizarre thing. He's been going with that for about two weeks and it's just gotten worse and worse."

The question is, can the Lions hang with the Cardinals before the Southland's largest home crowds in the Montague Center? Lions center Patrick Sullivan, coming off a career-high 20-point effort against McNeese, thinks so.

"It's not going to be easy, but we're not coming in there thinking it's a cakewalk," Sullivan said. "Coach named us ‘Road Warriors', because we go into people's house and play as hard as we can - it seems like (we play) harder than we play at home. But we've quieted a few home crowds this year."

And after losing for the second time at home this season last Saturday, there is a sense of urgency to pull off another Sam Houston State-type road effort.

"We're on the double now," Sullivan said. "These games are for the money now and we've got to try to pick up every one we can. We knew Lamar's the No. 1 team in the (division) and we know we're got to come with it."

The Cardinals will test Southeastern's defense with the nation's No. 14 highest scoring team (80.9 ppg.) - No. 2 in the SLC - and a balanced attack that has five players averaging in double figures since league play began.

Diminutive (5-9) point guard Kenny Dawkins, who is shooting 42 percent from 3-point range in SLC games, leads the team at 14.3 points and 4.4 assists per game. A pair of 6-6 forwards, Lamar Sanders, (11.7 ppg., 7.3 rpg.) and Justin Nabors (10.6 ppg., 6.7 rpg.), also hitting double digits on the season.

But six different Cardinals have led them in scoring this season, with 6-2 guard Darren Hopkins (9.7 ppg.), 6-4 guard Matthew Barrow (8.9 ppg.) and 6-4 guard Currye Todd (7.2 ppg.) also contributing.

The Cardinals aren't nearly as big as some other league teams, but they are deep and talented on the perimeter.

"I don't think we can keep this one in the 60s or the 50s; I think we're going to have to score some points," Yarbrough said. "It's not unlike Texas State - go have fun guys, because they're going to give you some looks and some chances, so buckle it up and let's go."

About all Yarbrough knows for sure is that his club is capable of pulling it off - or capable of taking it off.

"When we're shooting the perimeter shot to match up and counter balance our inside game, we become a pretty tough team to play against," Yarbrough said.