Well, the old Southland Conference of the mid-80's was salty in MBB. Tech, Lamar, McNeese, and USL were all Top 40 in 84-85, for sure, and high up other years. Throw in good teams like Arkie State, and also North Texas State the years they had Lyons (?, think that's right) and it was a strong hoops' league.
And, really, really good in baseball from the late 70's thru the 80's.
Football? Well, ummmm....did I mention we were good in basketball!