CONWAY, Ark. – The University of New Orleans (9-8, 4-2 Southland) continues its road trip and begins the week visiting the University of Central Arkansas (9-10, 4-2 Southland) at the Farris Center Wednesday at 7 p.m.
TIP OFF
• New Orleans visits Central Arkansas for the first time since the 2016-17 season Wednesday at 7 p.m.
• The Privateers downed the Bears 81-63 in that game (Jan. 21, 2017).
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Bryson Robinson and
Jorge Rosa combined for eight minutes of playing time in the W.
• UNO and UCA are tied for third in the Southland with matching 4-2 records.
• Entering the week, New Orleans leads the league in steals (10.06) and rank second in assists (15.88) and blocked shots (4.29).
• Nationally, the steals/game total is good for fourth and the 19.06 forced turnovers/contest rank fifth.
•
Ezekiel Charles has reached double figures in six consecutive ballgames. In conference play, the senior is averaging 15.0 points.
Bryson Robinson follows with 10.8/game.
• Through six Southland games, Zeke is averaging 7.3 boards, eighth in the league.
• New Orleans leads the brief series vs. Central Arkansas 5-3.
• There are two student-athletes that played in the Farris Center two years ago -
Jorge Rosa and
Bryson Robinson.
• The Privateers have two wins away from Lakefront Arena this season - Dec. 18 vs. Williams Baptist (Alario Center) and Jan. 9 at Lamar (Montagne Center).
• The starting lineup of
Damion Rosser,
Bryson Robinson,
Gerrale Gates,
Jahmel Myers and
Ezekiel Charles is 3-1 in Southland action.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
https://ucasports.com/sidearmstats/mbball/media
Listen:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Watch:
https://ucasports.com/watch/?Live=1883
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
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ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
The Privateers remain on the road this week, this time visiting Central Arkansas Wednesday and Incarnate Word Saturday.
Ezekiel Charles is averaging a team-high 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. The senior is shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range.
Scott Plaisance Jr. returned from injury Saturday. The senior is averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds.
New Orleans is 7-0 when four or more players reach double figures.
ABOUT THE BEARS
Gone was one of the NCAA Division I's career leaders in points in Jordan Howard. The Bears have four players averaging double digits, led by DeAndre Jones' 12.4 points. As a team, Central Arkansas is shooting 36.2 percent from three-point range. UCA is coming off a 74-68 victory vs. Nicholls and boast a 6-1 mark at the Farris Center.
THE SERIES
The Privateers lead the series 5-3, but the Bears took the lone meeting in 2017-18.
BATTLE ATOP THE SOUTHLAND
Through six Southland Conference games, there are four teams with at least four wins - New Orleans, Sam Houston State, Abilene Christian and Wednesday's foe Central Arkansas. The Bearkats are 5-0, followed by the Wildcats' 5-1 mark. UCA and UNO are tied with 4-2 conference records.
SCOTTIE P IS BACK
Redshirt senior
Scott Plaisance Jr. checked into Saturday's game and contributed 14 minutes.
REMINISCENT OF 2016-17
When the Privateers won two seasons ago, New Orleans head coach
Mark Slessinger shortened the rotation and the club was a defensive menace, slowing the tempo offensively while swarming opponents on the other end. This year, UNO is atop or near the top of the conference in steals, blocks, forced turnovers, opponent field goal percentage and opponent three-point field goal percentage, all while having two players averaging double figures in league play.
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 5.6 rebounds per 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).
FREE THROW IMPROVEMENT
The Privateers continue to improve from the charity stripe, going 20-of-25 from the line Saturday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. It marked the fourth time in five games UNO shoots 75.0 percent or better from the line.
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.
LRIII was a sparkplug, draining two triples and the junior finished the evening with nine points. In the win over SFA, Robinson III did most of the same.
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 six 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 13 times this season and 20+ five times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals eight times. UNO is 9-4 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
