BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of New Orleans (3-7) closes the book on its nonconference schedule Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the Privateers visit Bartow Arena looking to hand UAB (7-4) its first home loss of the season.
ABOUT PLAYING AT BARTOW ARENA
"This is a big game for our team as we close out a very tough nonconference slate," said head coach
Mark Slessinger. "UAB is a very talented and well coaches group that will be competing for a C-USA title. On a personal level, it is a special night to play at Bartow Arena, an arena named after the founder of the program, Gene Bartow, who was not only one of the great coaches and leaders in the game but a great gentleman. His son and successor Murray has been one of the great influences in my college coaching career."
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
http://sidearmstats.com/uno/mbball/
Listen (
Jude Young):
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/?Live=1189&type=Live
Video:
http://conferenceusa.com/watch/default.aspx?Live=2981&path=uab
Social Media
BACK-TO-BACK
Senior
Travin Thibodeaux scored 20-plus points for the second time in as many games and third time this season, posting a game-high 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the 107-59 rout of Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
OPENING TIP
• The final nonconference game of the season pits New Orleans versus UAB Wednesday at 7 p.m.
• The Privateers are looking for their first road win of the season while the Blazers are 6-0 at Bartow Arena.
• UNO scored 107 points in Monday's victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State; the most points scored in a game since 2002 when the Blue and Silver scored 107 in a win over Saint Leo.
• Thibs leads the team with 15.9 points per game on 58.3 percent shooting, followed by
Troy Green's 8.9 points and 3.4 assists.
• In two games,
Scott Plaisance is averaging 8.0 points, the highlight coming on an and-one dunk in Monday's W over the Aggies.
• The only Privateer to start all 10 games is senior
Makur Puou. The forward is averaging 7.9 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds.
• Wednesday is the second Alabama trip of the season for New Orleans. The Privateers fell to South Alabama Nov. 26 55-52 after rallying from a double-digit deficit to make it a one-possession ballgame.
ABOUT NEW ORLEANS
The busy four-game in eight-day stretch comes to a close Wednesday at UAB as New Orleans looks poised for its first road win of the season.
The Privateers are coming off a 107-59 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State Monday, the largest margin of victory since the 101-38 win over Champion Baptist December 14, 2013 and the tying the most points scored in regulation at Lakefront Arena (2002 versus Saint Leo).
Thibodeaux scored 20-plus points for the third time this season, finishing with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
Ezekiel Charles went 4-of-4 for 11 points and six rebounds and knocked down all three of his triples.
Michael Zeno joined Charles with 11 points and eight rebounds and Plaisance and
Diontae Champion added 10 points apiece.
ABOUT UAB
The Blazers are a perfect 6-0 in Bartow Arena. Led by Chris Cokley's 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, UAB features four double digit scorers - Cokley, Zack Bryant (14.0), Nate Darling (10.7) and William Lee (10.1).
UAB leads the country in free throw shooting at 81.0 percent and are in the top 10 nationally in rebound margin (+11.4).
THE SERIES
Wednesday marks the seventh game between the Privateers and Blazers and first since Jan. 28, 1992.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
| Date |
H/A/N |
W/L |
Score |
| 12/5/79 |
H/1 |
L |
73-82 |
| 2/16/80 |
A |
L |
75-86 |
| 2/23/80 |
N/2 |
L |
75-85 |
| 12/20/87 |
N/3 |
W |
72-56 |
| 1/25/91 |
H |
W |
81-70 |
| 1/28/92 |
A |
L |
50-54 |
1 – at Tulane's Devlin Fieldhouse
2 – Sun Belt Conference Tournament (Charlotte, N.C.)
3 – Phenix NCAA Ball (Tokyo, Japan)
IN THE RANKINGS
Below are the statistical categories the Privateers and their opponent are nationally-ranked in (top 50 only).
As of 12/17/17
New Orleans
- Team
- n/a
- Individual
- n/a
UAB
- Team
- Free Throw Percentage (1st; 81.0 percent)
- Rebounding Margin (6th; +11.4)
- Assists/Turnover Ratio (35th; 1.36)
- Total Rebounds per Game (40th; 40.36)
- Scoring Offense (41st; 83.0)
- Scoring Margin (44th; +14.4)
- Assists Per Game (49th; 16.6)
- Individual
- Chris Cokley
- Double-Doubles (22nd; 5)
- Offensive Rebounds per Game (27th; 3.45)
- Rebounds per Game (38th; 9.5)
- Total Points (41st; 104.0)
- FG Percentage (43rd; 59.2 percent)
SURPASSING THE CENTURY MARK
The Privateers routed Oklahoma Panhandle State 107-59 December 18, tying the point total from 2002 versus Saint Leo for the most points scored in regulation at Lakefront Arena by UNO. New Orleans featured five double digit scorers, led by Thibodeaux's 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
QUALITY DEBUT
After sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, Plaisance debuted for the Privateers in a familar place; at ULL (12/16), the school he transferred from. The redshirt junior scored six points against his former team and followed with 10 points and five rebounds in the victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State, highlighted by an and-one dunk in the closing minutes of the game.
THIBS KNOCKING EM DOWN
Thibodeaux is averaging 15.9 points on 58.3 percent shooting. The Plaquemine native has surpassed 20 points three times this season.
EARLY LINEUP ADJUSTMENTS
Slessinger continues to alter his lineup as he mixes the veteran core with the many newcomers on this year's club. As of December 18, the Privateers featured six different starting lineups through 10 games. The only Privateer to start all 10 games? Puou, who leads the club with 5.9 rebounds per game.
QUALITY SHOTS
Four players are knocking down more than half of their shots 1/3 into the 2017-18 season. Champion leads the club, shooting 59.3 percent, followed by Thibodeaux's 58.3,
Troy Green's 51.6 and
Damion Rosser's 51.5 percent.
As a team, UNO is shooting 48.4 percent from the field.
DEFEND HOME COURT
The Privateers are 3-0 at Lakefront Arena this season and open up Southland Conference play at home hosting Abilene Christian Thursday, December 28 at 7 p.m.
NEXT UP
The defending Southland Conference champions open up conference play hosting Abilene Christian December 28 at Lakefront Arena at 7 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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/UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the
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