As part of Christian Life's state championship team, Patrick Robinson was his team's third offensive option.

At Northwestern State, Robinson isn't the third option among the Demons' first wave of players -- and he doesn't mind.

"It's hard transitioning from being a scorer in high school to being a defensive stopper on the college level, but I love it," Robinson said. "It's good to get stops, get rebounds and get good assists and get another teammate happy. When coach needs a stop, bring me in, and I can do that for you."

Robinson's selfless statistical attitude makes him one of Northwestern State's glue guys and a valuable reason the Demons won the Southland Conference tournament title. The 14th-seeded Demons face No. 3 seed Florida in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday in Austin, Texas.

Robinson ranks ninth on the team in scoring (3.7 points per game), but he ranks fourth in offensive rebounds (42) and brings an untold amount of defensive presence with him, helping balance NSU's NCAA No. 1-ranked scoring offense (81 ppg).

Robinson isn't alone. Demons coach Mike McConathy's wave substitution pattern has allowed 10 players to average at least 15 minutes per game and contribute in various forms.

O.J. Evans is another "glue guy," one who emerged with the departure of William Mosley, the No. 4 all-time shot blocker in NCAA history.

"The sum of the parts is what it's about," McConathy said. "Just the fact we're on the same page, we care about one another; they encourage one another. We're like any other family. Some days we don't have good days, and we get frustrated, but we've got to understand that's how we got to the point where we are.

"That's why we've won 23 ballgames. That's why we're in the NCAA tournament."