NEW ORLEANS – The Privateers (8-7, 3-1 Southland) go for win No. 4 in a row when they host Stephen F. Austin State University (8-7, 1-2 Southland) Wednesday evening at Lakefront Arena.
The University of New Orleans enters
#ProtectTheShip Night on the Lakefront 3-1 in conference play, tied for the most wins in the Southland. With identical overall records, the similarities are easy to see for the Privateers and 'Jacks. Both clubs lost starters and have had to adjust lineups/rotations, but through four games in league play, New Orleans has not trailed in the first half.
In Saturday's win over McNeese, the Privateers featured four scorers in double figures and the club shot 75.0 percent or better from the charity stripe for the third consecutive ballgame.
PROMOTIONS
All students with valid IDs will receive free entry and food during the tailgate. Shuttles will run throughout the game. The first 200 students will also receive a Protect the Ship blue t-shirt. Raffle tickets can be purchased, and one winner will have a chance to win free books.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
https://unoprivateers.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Watch/Listen:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
PrivateersMBB
TIP-OFF
• New Orleans looks to make it four consecutive Southland Conference victories Wednesday when the Privateers host Stephen F. Austin at Lakefront Arena.
• Wednesday is
#ProtectTheShip night on the Lakefront.
• The last time the Privateers and Lumberjacks met at Lakefront Arena, UNO downed SFA 82-65 (Feb. 23, 2017).
• New Orleans is 6-1 at Lakefront Arena this season.
• A win would...
- Give UNO four consecutive wins for first time since UIW/NSU series last season (Jan. 20-31).
- Match the start to the previous two seasons (4-1 in Southland play, tying for best start since joining the league)
•
Bryson Robinson was named College Sports Madness Southland Conference Player of the Week after averaging 17.5 points and 4.5 assists in the 2-0 week.
• UNO is 8-1 when scoring 70 or more points and 7-0 when four or more players reach double figures.
• Nationally, the Privateers are top five in steals (fourth, 10.1/game) and turnovers forced (fifth, 19.13), while the 16.9 assists/game rank in the top 30 (29th).
• Despite having one player average double figures in scoring on the year, UNO has been led by a different student-athlete five times this season.
• Next Up: ESPN3 will broadcast the Privateers at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday at 5:02 p.m.
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
The Privateers continue to defend their home, entering the week 6-1 at Lakefront Arena. Under head coach
Mark Slessinger, New Orleans is 69-29 at home (including Alario Center and Human Performance Center records).
Bryson Robinson led the squad with 17 points and six assists, and three others reached double figures in the win over McNeese Saturday. Against one of the nation's best rebounding teams, UNO outrebounded the Cowboys by four.
After beginning the season struggling from the charity stripe, the Privateers are shooting 71.9 percent from the line, including three consecutive games over 75.0 percent.
New Orleans has not trailed in the first half of the first four Southland contests and led by double figures in each of the four games.
ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS
Early injuries forced some lineup adjustments and Shannon Bogues has taken over the point guard duties. Bogues is averaging 17.1 points (second in SLC), 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals and is shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range. SFA is coming off back-to-back losses at Nicholls and Northwestern State, respectively. The Demons won on a tip-in at the buzzer.
Kyle Keller is in his third season at the helm of SFA and is 3-1 against UNO.
THE SERIES
The Privateers trails the series 5-1 but the last time the 'Jacks visited Lakefront Arena, UNO took down SFA, 82-65.
LINEUP CHANGES LEAD TO EARLY SUCCESS
With injuries to
Lamont Berzat and
Scott Plaisance Jr., head coach
Mark Slessinger made some lineup adjustments, starting
Bryson Robinson,
Ezekiel Charles,
Damion Rosser,
Gerrale Gates and
Jahmel Myers (three underclassmen including two true freshmen). The lineup is 2-0.
COUNT ON ZEKE
Senior
Ezekiel Charles posted a career-high 22 points in the overtime win at Lamar, but the highlight was his offensive rebound that led to a putback with 0.3 seconds remaining to force the OT. On the year, Zeke is the lone Privateer averaging double figures, but he also leads the club in rebounding, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game.
FIRST HALF DOMINANCE
Through four Southland games, the Privateers have not trailed in the first half and have led by as much as nine points in each game.
MR. 100
Head coach
Mark Slessinger became the third Privateers leader to reach the century mark following the 78-71 overtime win over Lamar (Jan. 9). In his eighth season at the helm, coach Sless has led UNO to back-to-back postseasons (NCAA First Four, 2017 & CBI Second Round, 2018).
LOVE HATE WITH THE LINE
The Privateers are making the most of their attempts at the line, hitting 75.0 percent or more in three consecutive games. In Saturday's win over McNeese, UNO was 21-of-28. However, New Orleans did not take a free throw in the second half of the HBU win until 1:35 was left in the second half. In the win at Lamar, UNO's first free throw of the game came with 13:05 remaining in the second half.
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS OPPORTUNITY... FORWARD EDITION
With the injury to
Scott Plaisance Jr.,
Jahmel Myers earned his second start in the overtime win over Lamar. Despite fouling out, Myers chipped in six points and three rebounds. The following game (win vs. McNeese), Jah reached double figures for the first time, going 5-of-7 from the field for 13 points and six rebounds. The freshman hit a corner triple late to stretch the lead.
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS OPPORTUNITY... GUARD EDITION
With the injury to
Lamont Berzat, UNO has counted on junior walk-on
Larry Robinson III. LRIII continues to make the most of his minutes, collecting three steals and four assists in the overtime win at Lamar. In the win over McNeese, Robinson III scored five points in 11 minutes of action.
ROAD WARRIORS
The win over Lamar was New Orleans' first true road win since Feb. 10, 2018 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Privateers have seven more road games on the docket before the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament in Katy.
SWARMING DEFENSE
With a defense in the top five nationally in steals and turnovers, UNO has forced 15+ turnovers 11 times this season and 20+ four times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals seven times. UNO is 8-3 when forcing 15-plus miscues.
WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN
Head coach
Mark Slessinger said the club is as balanced offensively as any team in the conference. New Orleans is 7-0 when four or more players reached double figures.
REACH 70? IT'S ALL UNO
New Orleans will look to continue to surpass the 70-point plateau. When the Privateers score 70 or more points, they are 8-1.
BRING THE ENERGY DAME
Sophomore
Damion Rosser continues to show his athleticism on both ends of the floor, collecting three blocks at Lamar (Jan. 9). The high-flyer is known for his dunks, but defensively, he continues to fill a much-needed void, at points playing every position 1-5.
In the win over McNeese, Rosser posted 15 points, two assists and two steals, and connected with
Bryson Robinson for an alley-oop that sealed the victory.
PRO UPDATE
Below is a list of former Privateers playing professionally.
- Nate Frye (graduated '17, plays pro in Uruguay for Atletico Welcome), averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals
- Kyndall Dykes (graduated '09, plays in Romania for Cluj Napoca), averaging 19.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals
- Bo McCalebb (graduated '08, currently in Spain for Tecnyconta Zaragoza), averaging 10.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals
-
Michael Zeno (graduated in '18, plays in Norway for Baerum Basket), scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds in first game last week
- Cory Dixon (graduated '14, plays in Canada for Sudbury Five), scored 26 points and added 16 rebounds and two blocks in first game last week
OTHERS PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY
- Erik Thomas plays for Regatas Corrientes in Argentinian La Liga
- Johnell Smith plays for Norrkoping Dolphins in Swedish Basketligan
-
Travin Thibodeaux plays for Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League
- Kevin Brown plays for Halcones de Ciudad Obregon in Mexican CIBACOPA
- Jairo Mendoza plays for Piratas de Bogota in Colombian LPB
- Kevin Hill plays for Ohrid AV in FYR Macedonian Prva Liga
- Lovell Cook plays for Atletico Nacional in Panamanian LPB
- Issac Mack plays for Al Wehda in Saudi Arabian SBL
- Destin Damachoua plays for SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz in French NM2
- Terrance Syon plays for Dallas Mustangs in the NABL
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
