HOUSTON – The University of New Orleans (4-8, 1-0 Southland) closes the book on 2017 Saturday at 7 p.m. when it takes on Houston Baptist University (4-10, 0-1 Southland) at Sharp Gym. The Privateers are coming off a thrilling 77-74 victory over Abilene Christian University in the conference opener, while the Huskies fell to Lamar University.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Team1Sports will be streaming the game and is available on Smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
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
Watch:
http://hbuhuskies.com/sports/2015/9/1/GEN_0901154305.aspx
Social Media
MOVING ON UP
With Thursday's victory, head coach
Mark Slessinger has 81 career W's at the Lakefront. In his seventh year as head coach at UNO, Slessinger ranks fourth on the school's charts, just three behind
Don Smith (1979-85).
MOST WINS
| Wins |
Coach |
Years |
| 146 |
Ron Green |
1969-77 |
| 126 |
Tim Floyd |
1988-94 |
| 84 |
Don Smith |
1979-85 |
| 81 |
Mark Slessinger |
2011-Present |
LAST TIME OUT
Travin Thibodeaux tied his season-high for the third time of eight rebounds and drained 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. The senior finished with 20 points, reaching the plateau for the fourth time this season.
WORTH MENTIONING
Diontae Champion's three assists and three steals were season-highs for the newcomer and
Bryson Robinson's four dimes marked the fifth consecutive game the sophomore ties or leads the club in assists.
Troy Green and
Makur Puou finished two points shy of tying their season-highs as the duo combined for 30 points.
TIP OFF
• The quickest turnaround of Southland Conference play pits New Orleans at Houston Baptist Saturday at 7 p.m.
• The Privateers are coming off a 77-74 victory over Abilene Christian Thursday.
• The defending champions attempted 47 free throws, led by
Travin Thibodeaux's 12
• New Orleans has the best rebound margin in the Southland at +4.4.
• Thibodeaux is averaging a team-high 15.9 points, sixth in the conference and his 55.7 percent shooting ranks fifth. Thibs' 5.3 rebounds per game tie
Makur Puou for the team lead.
•
Ezekiel Charles leads the league in three-point shooting, connecting on 54.5 percent of his triples.
• Fourteen of Puou's 16 points Thursday came in the second half. The forward is averaging 8.5 points, connecting on 52.7 percent shooting. He is the lone Privateer to start all 12 games.
•
Troy Green follows Thibs with 9.1 points on 50.6 percent shooting, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
•
Michael Zeno (7.2 points),
Scott Plaisance (6.8 points) and
Bryson Robinson (6.7 points) round out the top scorers for UNO.
• Houston Baptist leads the country in offensive rebounds per game (16.29).
• The calendar flips to 2018 and the Privateers return to Lakefront Arena Jan. 3 to host Lamar at 7 p.m.
• The starting five of
Troy Green,
Bryson Robinson,
Diontae Champion,
Travin Thibodeaux and
Makur Puou has posted a 2-1 record.
ABOUT NEW ORLEANS
- Travin Thibodeaux is coming off his fourth 20-point game of the season and the senior cashed in from the charity stripe, draining 12 of his 14 free throws. The defending Southland Conference champions look to end 2017 with back-to-back victories.
- Makur Puou scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and Troy Green added 14 points. Diontae Champion and Bryson Robinson swiped three passes each.
ABOUT HOUSTON BAPTIST
- Much like the Privateers earlier this year, the Huskies found themselves dealing with injury bugs, none bigger than the loss of 6-11 senior and Preseason All-Southland Second Team selection Josh Ibarra, who posted five double-doubles in nine games before going down Dec. 9 versus UTSA.
- Former Tennessee Volunteer Braxton Bonds is averaging 5.0 assists and 2.4 steals.
- In the smallest gym in NCAA Division I, Houston Baptist has created one of the best home court advantages at Sharp Gym, going 4-0 heading into its first home Southland Conference contest.
- The 17 wins last season matched 2015-16 total are were the most wins since becoming Division I (2008-09).
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 15th matchup between the Privateers and Huskies. New Orleans leads the series 8-6 with a 2-2 split versus HBU since joining the Southland Conference in 2013-14.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall (8-6) | Home (5-2) | Away (3-4) | Southland (2-2)
| Date |
H/A/N |
W/L |
Score |
| 12/20/69 |
H |
W |
92-74 |
| 2/24/70 |
A |
W |
81-58 |
| 12/21/70 |
H |
W |
74-69 |
| 2/23/71 |
A |
L |
75-84 |
| 1/11/72 |
H |
W |
114-76 |
| 1/27/73 |
A |
L |
73-83 |
| 12/13/08 |
A |
W |
77-73 |
| 12/5/09 |
H |
W |
79-67 |
| 2/9/13 |
H |
L |
68-75 (OT) |
| 2/25/13 |
A |
L |
52-65 |
| 1/23/14 |
A * |
W |
79-66 |
| 1/17/15 |
A * |
L |
73-74 |
| 1/16/16 |
H * |
L |
69-73 |
| 1/19/17 |
H * |
W |
72-64 |
* – Southland Conference
NEXT UP
The defending Southland Conference champions flip the calendar to 2018 and host Lamar University Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at Lakefront Arena.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@UNOPrivateers on Twitter,
@UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like
/UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
