DeShawn Patterson has emerged as the leader of Southeastern Louisiana, even though he may not always be their statistical leader.

"He is just that guy. He is an everyman for us," coach Jim Yarbrough said. "As he goes, we go. Not necessarily from a scoring perspective, but his engine runs high and he has a lot of energy."

Often times, Patterson defends the opposing team's best offensive player.

"It's been (an) up-and-down (season)," Patterson said. "We've had a lot of high points and some low points. We just have to consistently play good night in and night out."

He believes he's improved throughout his career, but winning is his goal.

"I am just smarter and making fewer mistakes," Patterson said. "I am just steady pushing. I have a year-and-a-half left, and we are trying to get that (SLC title) ring. That's the ultimate goal."

Former Mississippi State captain Elgin Bailey has enrolled at Southeastern Louisiana University with the intent of playing basketball next season for the Lions program.

Mississippi State University’s compliance office was informed by Southeastern Louisiana officials of the news late last week.

The junior forward, who was involved in the brawl with Renardo Sidney in the stands during the Diamond Head Classic on the night of Dec. 23, informed the Mississippi State coaching staff two weeks ago of his wishes to leave the program with the intent to transfer to another school.

“I want to apologize to Mississippi State, to the people in Hawaii and to the fans that were in the stands that witnessed everything,” Bailey said in a school statement on Christmas Eve. “Due to me being a captain, I should have handled the situation in a much different way. It should have never gotten to the point that it did. I really am sorry that all of this happened, especially with it unfolding on TV like it did.”