FRISCO – The Southland Conference is changing the game in launching the college basketball season with a four-part documentary series which will highlight all of its men's and women's basketball programs for the 2024-25 season. The documentary series was created in lieu of operating official conference basketball media days. Titled Southland Hoops: The Drive to Win, the series is set to air on ESPN+ in December.  
 
"We're very excited to debut this documentary series which will highlight some of the great stories around our men and women student-athletes," said Southland Commissioner Chris Grant. "Having Southland Hoops: The Drive to Win on ESPN+ will give our talented student-athletes a national stage for fans to discover and cheer for. At the Southland, we're always looking for new and exciting ways to spread the news about our conference members and teams, and this first-of-its kind documentary is another fun and unique opportunity."  

The four-part series will focus on the four regions of the Southland's Gas Tank League, taking an in-depth look at all 24 men's and women's programs with exclusive interviews with head coaches and student-athletes and behind-the-scenes looks into team practices, the community at heart, and life outside of basketball. The regions will compromise of: 

• Southwest Texas (UTRGV, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UIW) 
• Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana (HCU, Lamar, McNeese) 
• East Texas/Northwest Louisiana (A&M-Commerce, SFA, Northwestern State) 
• Southeast Louisiana (Southeastern, Nicholls, New Orleans) 

The air dates of each episode will be announced later in November. 

Southland Hoops: The Drive to Win  is being produced by Wilking Films with Tungsten Monkey Productions. Spencer Wilking will serve as director and executive producer for the series. Wilking is a multiple Emmy and Peabody Award winning producer, director and showrunner with over 15 years of television and filmmaking experience.

"Southland basketball is quickly becoming one of the most talented mid-major conferences in the country," said Wilking. "Far from the bright lights and big budgets of their power five brethren, Southland players dive for every loose ball and grind for every rebound because they know each play is an opportunity for recognition and respect. We're honored and excited to share these incredible stories of perseverance and adversity with a national audience."  

Wilking's other notable projects include "World Beaters," an ESPN 30 for 30 film about the history of the Little League World Series, HBO's multiple Emmy-winning "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," and TNT's "Bluegrass Kingdom: The Gospel of Kentucky Basketball."  

Production staff include Jeff Cvitkovic as editor and producer, and William Sabourin O'Reilly as director of photography.  


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