COMMERCE, Texas – The Southland Conference men's basketball schedule makers saved what could be the most emotional road game of Northwestern State's season for last.
 
When the Demons face the Lions at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN+, it will mark just the fourth meeting between the teams since January of 1987. This one, however, holds special significance for Northwestern State head coach Rick Cabrera.
 
The Demons' regular-season finale marks the first chance for Cabrera to coach in the same building where his late father, Hugo, was a two-time All-American while playing for then-East Texas State.
 
"I was able to go to his Hall of Fame induction in 2009," Cabrera said. "I met some great people there. My dad has a portfolio, so I was able to see some pictures and some numbers he put up. He was a two-time All-American. He was a heck of a player. It's great to go back. My family lives in Dallas, so it will be great to see them and be able to honor my Pop, but most importantly, we're going there for business. He still loves his alma mater, but I know he wants his son to win over his alma mater."
 
Cabrera nearly ended up in the Fieldhouse on the Texas A&M-Commerce campus a year ago, but his head coaching position at Tallahassee Community College did not allow it to happen.
 
"Their staff called me and said, 'We're going to do a Hugo Cabrera Day. Are you OK with that, and can you make it?'" Cabrera said. "I said, 'I have a game, but my sister can make it.' At that time, I didn't know I'd be here. Now I have the same opportunity to coach in the same gym – it's the same exact gym – it's a great feeling."

Northwestern State (9-21, 7-10) is looking to complete its fourth season sweep in Southland play, having defeated the Lions, 70-57, in the teams' first meeting Feb. 3 in Natchitoches.
 
In that game, the Demons built a 20-point lead only to see Commerce (11-19, 5-12) storm back to take a second-half lead before Northwestern State pulled out the victory.
 
With one regular-season game remaining, the Demons know their Southland Conference Tournament fate as they are locked into the No. 6 seed and will play their opening game Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the Legacy Center in Lake Charles. Texas A&M-Commerce is one of three teams within a game of seventh place.
 
The Lions hold a one-game lead over New Orleans and HCU, which are tied for the eighth and final spot in the tournament. Depending on the results of Wednesday's games – New Orleans hosts league champion McNeese while HCU travels to Lamar – the Demons and Lions could find themselves playing again Sunday in the first round of the conference tournament.
 
"We're a little familiar with those guys," Cabrera said. "They do a great job. (Jaret von Rosenberg) does a great job coaching those guys. They have good players. Our guys are desperate right now. I preached to them on Saturday, we can't go into the tournament limping. Right now, we're limping, but we have a chance to heal on Wednesday so we can be ready on Sunday."
 
They may do so in a place where one Cabrera built a legacy of success while may allow another's team to bounce back from back-to-back close losses at home.
 
"I believe in the afterlife and in spirit, so hopefully if we need a shot to go in at the end and win, hopefully he helps that," Cabrera said.