NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team will open up the 2013-14 season as they host Millsaps College this Tuesday, November 12. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Head Coach
Mark Slessinger is entering his third season at the helm, and the Privateers will feature nine returning players and ten newcomers, six of which are freshmen. Three seniors headline the group of returning student-athletes, including guard
Tradarrius McPhearson, forward
Cory Dixon, and guard
Isaac Mack.
"We are excited to open the season this Tuesday and proud to be able to showcase our team to our fans at home," said Slessinger. "Our team has worked hard all off-season, and we are looking forward to what this season has in store for us."
Of the other returnees, the Westwego native sophomore
Kevin Hill is poised for a big season. Hill averaged 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest as a freshman, and also had two double-doubles on the season. Incoming transfer student-athletes include junior guard/forward
Matt Derenbecker, who also prepped at Country Day in Metairie along with sophomore center
Travis Avery.
"There is a healthy mix of upperclassmen and incoming student-athletes that creates a healthy balance on our team. We have a tough non-conference schedule that we know will prepare us for the Southland," said Slessinger. "Our team, coaching staff, and administration is excited about having a home in the Southland and we are ready to compete in the league and hopefully build some rivalries along the way."
This will also be UNO's inaugural season in the Southland Conference, since officially joining the league over the summer. The schedule features an 18-game Southland Conference slate along with notable road trips to Hawaii later this month, Minnesota in early December, and a trip to face preseason No. 2 Michigan State, which will be televised on the Big Ten Network on December 28th.
Tip off for Tuesday's game is set for 7 p.m. at the Lakefront Arena. A week later, UNO will renew a big regional rivalry as they travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU. The Privateers return home on November 23 to host Boise State at 11 a.m.
