New Orleans Heads to Southern Illinois for Friday Night Tilt

NEW ORLEANS (2-4) AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (7-4)
GAME 7 | DECEMBER 19 | 7:05 P.M. CT
CARBONDALE, Ill. | SIU ARENA
 
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | TWITTER
 
THE GAME:
The New Orleans men's basketball team makes its way back north this Friday, Dec. 19, as the Privateers take on the Salukis from Southern Illinois.
 
New Orleans looks to improve upon its 2-4 overall record in what will be the fourth meeting between the two schools. The Privateers hold a 2-1 series edge over the Salukis who hold steady at 7-4 on the season.
 
THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from UNOPrivateers.com at the start of Friday's game.
LIVE VIDEO: Fox SIUSalukis.com will have the broadcast of the contest.
LIVE AUDIO: Jude Young will have the call on UNOPrivateers.com
TWITTER: Follow the New Orleans men's basketball team on Twitter @Privateers_MBB to receive updates throughout the game.
 
THE OPPONENT:
Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois remains red hot on the season as the Salukis have taken six out of their last seven contests. SIU also remains unblemished on the year on its home floor, holding a  4-0 record in the SIU Arena after Tuesday's 65-58 victory over Tennessee State.
 
THE SERIES
All-Time Record: New Orleans leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: SIU won, 74-61, 12/17/12
  
LAST TIME OUT:
Even with one of the best 20-minute shooting stretches this season, the New Orleans men's basketball team couldn't hold off San Diego, falling on the west coast 85-60. The Privateers shot a stellar 65 percent from the field in the first half, the highest 20-minute span for New Orleans this season, going 13-of-20 while moving the team's overall record to 2-4 on the season.
 
NEXT UP:
The Privateers wrap-up a three-game road trip on Monday, Dec. 22 as New Orleans heads to Bloomington, Ind. for a meeting with the Hoosiers.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
Weisbrod Tops in the Nation
Colton Weisbrod leads the nation in terms of field goal percentage for the second straight week, shooting at a 72.7 percent clip. The freshman has hit on 32 of his 44 attempts from the floor.

Getting to the Line
The Privateers have gotten to the foul line often this season, taking 186 free throws. New Orleans took a 2014-15 Southland Conference high of 48 attempts during a season-opening win against Pensacola Christian College.
Privateers on the Boards
On average, the Privateers are pulling down exactly one more rebound per game than their opponents, making New Orleans one of just four SLC schools to do so. 

Gill Leading the Way
Sophomore Christavious Gill leads the Privateers in scoring with his 12.5 points per game, one of four New Orleans players to average double figures.
 
Privateers Shooting Well
Head coach Mark Slessinger's team has quickly become one of the top shooting teams in the Southland Conference, ranking top five in the league in both field goal percentage (.468) and three-point field goal percentage (.343).
 
Clean Brand of Basketball
Ball control has also been a theme for the Privateers early on, committing the 15th fewest fouls in the nation at 123 total and the 24th fewest turnovers at 92.
 
First Half vs. USD
In the team's last outing at San Diego, New Orleans put together its best 20-minute shooting performance of the season, going 65-percent from the field in the first half, going 13-of-20 from the field.
 
Thibodeaux on the Block
Travin Thibodeaux has been a force in the paint, leading the team in blocks with his seven. Thibodeaux has had at least one block in each of the team's first five games.
 
Slessinger Closing in on Win 50
Fourth year head coach Mark Slessinger is closing in on win number 50 during his coaching tenure, sitting at 38 after picking up his latest against Crowley's Ridge.

To keep up with the latest New Orleans men' basketball news, follow the team on Twitter @UNOPrivateers and @@Privateers_MBB or by liking New Orleans Privateers on Facebook.