FRISCO, Texas -- Late Monday morning, the Southland Conference officially announced the 2020-21 Men's Basketball All-Conference teams, naming a trio of Nicholls State University student-athletes to the honor roll -- senior Ty Gordon as a first-team guard along with a pair of third-team selections in senior guard Kevin Johnson and redshirt junior forward Najee Garvin. Additionally, the Colonels secured the program's first superlative awards since the 2018 season, as third-year head coach Austin Claunch captured Coach of the Year and Gordon locked down Newcomer of the Year, while Johnson worked his way onto the league's All-Defensive team as well.

The All-Southland teams are nominated and voted upon by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

All-in-all, the Red & Gray's All-SLC haul this year serves as the program's best showing for the regular-season awards since both the 1995 and 1998 squads accomplished similar feats just over two decades ago, placing three men on the All-Conference squads -- then just 10 players across a first- and second-team -- while also notching Coach of the Year (Rickey Broussard, '95 & '98) on both occasions and Newcomer of the Year (Russell McCutcheon, '98) on one. Coincidentally, the 1995 and 1998 campaigns also mark the last, and only, two Southland Conference Tournament titles in Nicholls history, as well as the only other two instances where the Colonels earned the No. 1 overall seed.

After orchestrating an unprecedented surge last season up to second in the conference standings, Claunch managed to put the finishing touches on his program restoration as the third-year head coach not only matched, but surpassed the final accomplishments of his predecessor Richie Riley, leading the Red & Gray to their second regular-season league title of the past four years -- not to mention first outright championship since 1998 -- behind a 14-2 mark in SLC competition. Notably, the Houston native guided the Colonels to a pair of seven-game win streaks during conference play, not to mention victories in 14 of the team's final 15 contests, as well as the program's first No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming league tournament in over two decades.

Despite officially joining the active roster just prior to season tipoff following a transfer from Troy, Gordon immediately stepped in and filled a crucial scoring role for the Colonels, pacing the squad behind a league eighth-best 16.1 points per game off a lethal three-point shooting percentage (.344, sixth in SLC). Additionally, the senior also ranked eighth league-wide in assists per game (3.8), finished the year with 17 double-digit performances -- including five 20-plus showings -- led the team in total minutes (747) and earned a pair of Southland Conference Player of the Week awards.

A four-year veteran of the program, Johnson logged a memorable conclusion to his collegiate career donning the Red & Gray, racking up a team fourth-best 12.4 points per game (23rd in SLC) behind a blazing .354 three-point shooting percentage along with a consistent .733 showing at the line (33-of-45, 10th in SLC). Offensive production aside, though, the senior truly made his presence felt as the league's leading pickpocket, swiping 36 steals (2.3 per game) across SLC play, including a new career-best seven against HBU, while officially pulling within four of the all-time career mark in the school record books (James Banks, 1996-00 -- 247).

Following a mandatory sit-out last season due to NCAA transfer restrictions, Garvin made the most of his return to hardwood as the Red & Gray's primary option down low, leading the Colonel frontcourt behind a team second-best (13th in SLC) 14.8 points per game along with a squad-high (eighth in SLC) 7.3 rebounds per game. Notably, the redshirt junior proved highly accurate from the field, finishing with a .503 shooting percentage (eighth in SLC) on the year, and even managed to set a new career scoring mark at Southeastern Louisiana (2/13/21) off a team season-high 30 points, later registering the South Carolina his lone SLC Player of the Week honor.

UP NEXT
Following the official conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season late last week, the Colonels receive a well-deserved week-long hiatus while the squad awaits travel preparations for upcoming Southland Conference Tournament, slated for Tuesday, Mar. 9 through Saturday, Mar. 13 at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. With the Thursday night victory over McNeese combined with Sam Houston's loss against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, the Colonels enter the 10-team tournament locked in to the top overall seed, facing the victor of Game Five (No. 4 Northwestern State vs. Game Three Winner) on Friday, Mar. 12, tipoff slated for 5 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Men's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@nicholls_mbb) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).

2020-21 All-Southland Conference Men's Basketball Teams

Player of the Year: Zackh Nutall, Sam Houston
Defensive Player of the Year: David Muoka, Lamar
Freshman of the Year: Bryce Monroe, Sam Houston
Newcomer of the Year: Ty Gordon, Nicholls
Coach of the Year: Austin Claunch, Nicholls
 

First Team		Institution		Pos.		Class		Hometown
Zach Nuttall2		Sam Houston		G		Jr.		Bryan, Texas
Gavin Kensmil2		Stephen F. Austin		F		Sr.		Paramaribo, Suriname
Kolton Kohl		Abilene Christian		C		r-Sr.		San Angelo, Texas
Demarkus Lampley		Sam Houston		G		Sr.		Phenix City, Ala.
Ty Gordon		Nicholls		G		Sr.		Tunica, Miss.
Second Team		Institution		Pos.		Class		Hometown
Joe Pleasant2		Abilene Christian		F		Jr.		Overland Park, Kan.
Keaston Willis		UIW		G		So.		Sulpher Springs, Texas
Cameron Johnson		Stephen F. Austin		G		Sr.		Little Rock, Ark.
Trenton Massner		Northwestern State		G		Jr.		Wapello, Ark.
Damion Rosser		New Orleans		G		r-Jr.		McDonough, Ga.
Third Team		Institution		Pos.		Class		Hometown
Rylan Bergersen2		Central Arkansas		G		Sr.		Boise, Idaho
Roti Ware		Stephen F. Austin		G		Sr.		Morton, Miss.
Coryon Mason		Abilene Christian		G		Sr.		Oklahoma City, Okla.
Kevin Johnson		Nicholls		G		Sr.		Thibodaux, La.
Najee Garvin		Nicholls		F		r-Jr.		Lexington, S.C.

² indicates two-time all-conference selection
    

All-Defensive Team		Institution		Pos.		Class		Hometown
David Muoka		Lamar		C		So.		Hong Kong, China
Damien Daniels		Abilene Christian		G		Jr.		Kansas City, Mo.
Reggie Miller		Abilene Christian		G		Sr.		Houston, Texas
Kevin Johnson		Nicholls		G		Sr.		Thibodaux, La.
Coryon Mason		Abilene Christian		G		Sr.		Oklahoma City, Okla.