ABILENE, Texas – New Orleans (5-6) begins its quest for a second conference title in three seasons Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the Privateers battle Abilene Christian University (11-2) at Moody Coliseum.
It will be the third season the Privateers and Wildcats meet to begin Southland Conference play. UNO won the last two conference openers.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=239441
Watch:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/abilene/
Listen:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
PrivateersMBB
TIP-OFF
• The short-handed Privateers battled early versus Baylor Saturday, before falling to the Bears in the final non-conference game of the regular season.
• New Orleans was picked to finish third in the Southland Conference preseason poll while Abilene Christian received a first-place vote and was tabbed fourth.
• Entering the week, the Privateers are No. 4 in the nation in steals per game (10.64) and No. 6 in turnovers forced (19.18).
•
Bryson Robinson reached double figures for the second consecutive game, leading the club with 11 points, all in the first half.
•
Ezekiel Charles is tops on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from three-point range.
• New Orleans leads the Southland Conference with 17.55 assists and 10.64 steals per game.
• ACU limits opponents to a conference-low 61.8 points per game, while shooting a Southland-best 49.7 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three-point range. The 1.35 assist/turnover ratio is tops in the league.
• The Privateers are 4-0 when four or more players reach double figures.
• UNO has defeated ACU in the Southland Conference opener the previous two seasons.
• The Privateers have won their last four SLC openers.
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
The Privateers begin Southland Conference play and conclude their brief two-game road trip in the Lone Star State at Abilene Christian. The Privateers defeated ACU in the last two seasons.
Abilene Christian is the first conference opponent for UNO for the third consecutive season.
Scott Plaisance Jr. has started all 11 games this season with his frontcourt mate
Gerrale Gates earning 10 starts.
New Orleans ranks in the top five in the nation in steals and turnovers forced.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
Ranked in the top 20 in steals, Abilene Christian is off to an 11-2 start. With a first-place vote in the preseason poll, the Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the Southland Conference, one behind the Privateers.
Three players average double figures - Jaren Lewis, Jalone Friday and Payten Ricks at 14.5, 13.2 and 11.1, respectively. Friday is also top 20 nationally in steals.
THE SERIES
The Privateers lead the series that began in 2014 when the Wildcats joined the Southland Conference. New Orleans has won four of the six meetings, including last season's opener 77-74. UNO is searching for its first road win vs. ACU.
INJURY BUG
New Orleans was hit with an injury bug with only 10 players dressing Saturday at Baylor. Missing were starters
Lamont Berzat and
Troy Green, and role players
Tyren Harrison and
Jahmel Myers.
SWARMING DEFENSE
With a defense in the top five nationally in steals and turnovers, UNO has forced 15+ turnovers seven times this season and 20+ four times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals six times.
RACKING THE MILES
The Privateers are in their sixth state with the brief two-game road trip in Texas.
WIN WIN WIN WIN
In the win over Williams Baptist December 18, UNO featured four double digit scorers. New Orleans is 4-0 when four or more players reached double figures.
NATIONAL RANKINGSAS OF 12.30
- New Orleans
- Steals per Game - 3rd (11.0)
- Turnovers Forced - 4th (19.7)
- Assists per Game - 9th (18.5)
- Fewest Fouls - 14th (124)
- Total Steals - 19th (110)
- Fewest Fouls - 30th (181)
- Turnover Margin - 41st (3.4)
- Offensive Rebounds per Game - 47th (12.7)
- Abilene Christian
- Turnover Margin - 7th (5.8)
- Turnovers Forced - 14th (7.69)
- Field Goal Percentage - 15th (49.7)
- Total Steals - 17th (119)
- Steals per Game - 18th (9.2)
- Three-Point Field Goal Percentage - 18th (39.5)
- Scoring Defense - 22nd (61.8)
- Scoring Margin - 26th (15.6)
- Win-Loss Percentage - 26th (84.6)
- Assist/Turnover Ratio - 40th (1.35)
- Individual
- Payten Ricks
- Total Steals - 14th (33)
- Steals per Game - 15th (2.54)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
