HOW TO FOLLOW TODAY'S GAME
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TV |
Big Ten Network (pxp: Kevin Kugler. analyst: Jim Jackson |
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Radio |
WGSO 990 AM (pxp: Jude Young) |
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Online Audio |
WGSO.com |
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Online Video |
btn2go.com / App. (available to customers of particpating cable providers) |
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Live Stats |
Click Here |
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Twitter Updates |
@UNOPrivateers |
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Following last Monday's upset over UTEP, the New Orleans Privateers basketball team (3-4) travels north for a nationally televised contest against No. 5 Michigan State (10-1) on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3:15 p.m. CT.
Last time out on the hardwood the Privateers upset the Tim Floyd-led Miners, 71-69 in El Paso, Texas. The victory at the Don Haskins Center snapped a streak of 25 straight road losses to Division I schools, dating back to 2010 at Louisiana-Monroe.
The Privateers continue to be led on the floor by senior forward
Cory Dixon who leads the Privateers in points per game (15.0) and rebounds per game (7.4), and is second on the team in assists handed out per contest as well (2.4). Adding to the Privateer offensive attack with double-figure scoring averages this season are junior forward
Matt Derenbecker (12.5) and senior guard
Isaac Mack (10.5). From beyond the arc this season Derenbecker has been deadly for the Privateers, connecting on 11-of-29 treys for a .379 three-point percentage.
No stranger to top competition on the hardwood, this weekend's contest will mark the 37th time in program history that the Privateers have faced a nationally-ranked opponent. UNO last knocked off a nationally-ranked team in 2007 when they defeated No. 21 NC State in Raleigh, N.C. TJ Worley hit a three-point shot in that contest with 1.7 seconds remaining to give UNO a 65-63 victory against the Wolfpack.
The Privateers' best victory against a nationally-ranked team came in 1989 when they defeated No. 12 Florida State 83-77 in New Orleans. The last time UNO faced a nationally-ranked opponent was last season, when they traveled to No. 17 Butler, losing a hard-fought contest 57-44.
Michigan State enters Saturday afternoon's contest ranked No. 5 in both the AP and Coaches polls, having spent the majority of this season ranked as the top team in the nation. Victories of note include wins against No. 1 Kentucky (78-74), at Texas (92-78) and against Southland Conference member, and future opponent McNeese State (98-56). The lone Spartan loss on the season came earlier this month in on the road in Chapel Hill, where they fell to North Carolina 79-65 on Dec. 4.
The Spartans are coached for the 19th season by Tom Izzo, and are led on the floor by preseason first team All-American forward Adreian Payne. Payne has not disappointed, averaging 18.1 points per contest, along with 8.0 rebounds per game to go with 14 career double-doubles. Returning recently from an ankle injury that caused him to miss three games is guard Gary Harris who is averaging 17.8 points per contest and 3.0 assists per game.
As a team Michigan State are second nationally in sharing the basketball with 19.0 assists per contest, assisting on 63.3% of their made baskets. Senior point guard Keith Appling orchestrates the Spartan attack with 4.7 assists per contest. Forward Branden Dawson leads the Spartans on the boards and ranks second in the Big Ten with 9.2 rebounds per game.
The game can be seen live nationally on the Big Ten Network, and viewed online at btn2go.com with participating cable providers. The action can also be heard locally on WGSO 990 AM and online at wgso.com with Jude Young on the call. Pregame for the radio broadcast will being at 3:00 p.m.
