After a resounding pre-conference campaign, the Cowboys are ready for the next part of their schedule with hopes and hype at an all-time high.

McNeese State begins its Southland Conference Saturday when it travels to Texas A&M-Commerce.

The Cowboys will take a six-game win streak into the 1 p.m. game, including a win over Michigan. At 11-2, the Pokes are off to their best start in 50 seasons.

However, none of that matters as McNeese looks to win its first SLC regular season championship since 2011. More importantly, the Cowboys are also looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.

“It will be a brand new season and we will have to re-establish ourselves,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “We have to reset our identity. Everybody will be coming after us.”

After their strong start, the Cowboys know they have a target on their backs as they enter league play.

“Everybody wants to beat McNeese,” said guard Shahada Wells, who leads the Cowboys in scoring at 19.4 points a game.

That puts him second in the conference behind New Orleans’ Jordan Johnson (21.1). Wells is coming off his second Player of the Week honors both nationally and in the conference.

Forward Christian Shumate leads the Southland in rebounding at 9.6 boards a game and is scoring at a 12.5 clip. None of McNeese’s numbers matter much to the rest of the league.

“I promise you Commerce doesn’t care,” said Wade.

The Lions (6-7) will clearly take their shots against the Cowboys.

Commerce launches 29.8 three-point shots a game, making 32 percent. That will challenge the Cowboy defense, which is fourth in the country in points allowed.

“They will take their shots,” said Wade. “We have to close out on their shooters and challenge them. They are a really good team.”

Meanwhile, McNeese shoots the three at a much higher percentage, though the Pokes take 10 fewer a game. McNeese is 12th in the nation in three-point shooting at 39%.

The Lions have their own big win, having beaten St. Joseph’s out of the Atlantic 10.

Commerce has also played at Texas A&M, Kentucky, SMU, TCU and Texas Tech.

“They have played one of the toughest schedules in the country,” Wade said. “They are going to be a tough team having been in tough situations.”

Jerome Brewer and Kalen Williams lead the Lions at 13.6 and 13.5 points per game.

The game at Commerce is the first of four on the road over the next six for the Cowboys to start the SLC schedule. McNeese is 4-2 on the road this season.

“You have got to be really good to win your road games,” said Wade. “We will have to be doggedly consistent.

McNeese will continue on the road trip Monday with a game at Northwestern State before returning home to take on preseason favorite Southeastern next Saturday in the Legacy Center.