I’m wary of predicting another beatdown after the near disaster on Friday night. But even a 13th-place-in-the-Big-East St. John’s team is infinitely better than Nicholls State.

Hailing from Thibodaux, Louisiana, the Colonels of Nicholls State (0-5) make it a school tradition to be everybody else’s bitch. In a 2005-06 season where they went 9-18, the Colonels even found themselves on the losing end of 73-71 score against Lipscomb. Fortunately for Nicholls State, our friends from Texas State were even more futile in the Southland Conference, finishing a full four games behind the Colonels.

Looking at Texas’ weaknesses — rebounding and man-to-man defense — it would seem at first blush that Nicholls State may find some success. But oddly enough, the two senior forwards listed on the roster have yet to play in any of the first five contests. And quite frankly, I don’t care enough about Nicholls State to spend any more time finding out why.

The Colonels do have a beast of a freshman at center in 6-11 Aussie Mitch Boyce. Boyce only averages eighteen minutes a game, but will likely cause problems for Texas on the glass when he’s in the game.

The chunk of their minutes are eaten up by combo guard-forwards, juniors Adonis Gray and Aaron Scott, and sophomore Ryan Bathie. Otherwise, the Colonels seem to have a pretty deep rotation. Of course, with Southland Conference talent, depth may not be a blessing.

Tip is 7 P.M. at the Drum. I have this odd hunch that there will be plenty of seats available, so bring the family and the visiting in-laws out for a beatdown of epic proportions. For those of you in-state who are unable to make it to the Frank Erwin Center, the game can be seen on Fox Sports Southwest.