BEAUMONT, Texas – The Privateers (6-7, 1-1 Southland) go for win No. 100 under head coach
Mark Slessinger on ESPN+ Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Montagne Center when the University of New Orleans visits Lamar University (8-7, 1-1 Southland).
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
https://lamarcardinals.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Watch: ESPN+ (link will be posted on
UNOPrivateers.com once available)
Listen (
Jude Young):
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
PrivateersMBB
TIP-OFF
• New Orleans looks to make it five in a row vs. Lamar Wednesday when the Privateers visit the Montagne Center.
• The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and the Watch ESPN app.
• UNO is searching for its second win away from Lakefront Arena this season and first true road victory.
• The next win will be No. 100 for head coach
Mark Slessinger, making him the third MBB leader to reach the century mark.
•
Ezekiel Charles received honorable mention honors for Southland Player of the Week after averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, including posting his first career double-double with a Privateer best 11 boards in the overtime win over HBU.
• The Privateers are 2-2 and 1-1 in Southland play with the starting lineup of
Damion Rosser,
Bryson Robinson,
Gerrale Gates,
Scott Plaisance Jr. and Charles.
• UNO will be playing its third ESPN game this season and fifth nationally televised/streamed game.
• Under Slessinger, New Orleans is 5-1 against the Cardinals.
• In last season's win over Lamar,
Bryson Robinson posted 12 points and eight assists in a 10-point victory.
• Charles came off the bench with eight points and
Troy Green, Plaisance Jr. and Rosser pulled down three rebounds apiece.
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
The Privateers are coming off an 81-76 overtime win over Houston Baptist, the first conference win of the season for New Orleans. In the victory,
Bryson Robinson tied his season-high in points (14), assists (six) and rebounds (four) and
Gerrale Gates posted five blocks and three dimes - the first time an UNO student-athlete swatted five shots since Feb. 10, 2018 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (
Makur Puou).
Ezekiel Charles recorded his first career double-double with a career-best 11 rebounds to go with 19 points, one shy of tying his career-high set twice earlier this season.
Defensively, the Privateers limited the Huskies to 24.3 percent shooting in the first half and under 40 percent in the game, the second time an opponent shot < 40="" percent="" this="">
Charles leads the squad in scoring with 11.5 points and rebounds (5.2). The senior earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honorable mention Monday.
Saturday's game marked the first time five players reached double figures since the 107-59 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State last season (Dec. 18, 2017). Charles led the way with 19 points, Robinson added 14 points, and Gates,
Damion Rosser and
Amari Haynes scored 10 points apiece.
UNO is fifth in NCAA Division I in steals per game and turnovers forced with 10.2 and 19.15, respectively.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Led by former Privateers head coach Tic Price, Lamar is 8-7 this season after defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 61-55. In the conference opener, the Cardinals fell in overtime at HBU. Lamar is second in the league in scoring (80.5 points) while holding opponents to 41.9 percent shooting, second best in the Southland.
The Cardinals rank in the top 10 nationally in total steals (fourth, 151), steals per game (sixth, 10.1), free throw attempts (seventh, 405) and turnovers forced (seventh, 18.33).
Four players average double figures led by Nick Garth's 15.5 points and Josh Nzeakor's 15.4. Garth is shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range and Nzeakor averages 8.3 rebounds.
THE SERIES
The Privateers have dominated the series with the Cardinals, 28-7, including wins in the previous four meetings.
CENTURY MARK
The next win will be No. 100 for head coach
Mark Slessinger. In his eighth season as head coach, the Privateers enter the season with back-to-back postseason appearances. Sless will become the third coach in program history to reach the century mark with his next victory.
MARATHON MEN
With a case of the injury bug, the starting backcourt logged big minutes with
Ezekiel Charles and
Bryson Robinson playing in 40 minutes and 42 minutes, respectively. In the conference opener, Zeke played in 38 minutes.
CONFERENCE STATS
After week one of Southland play,
Ezekiel Charles is averaging 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals on 50.0 percent shooting.
Scott Plaisance Jr. posted 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.0 minutes (average).
EVOLUTION OF GERRALE
In the opening games of his collegiate career,
Gerrale Gates showcased his offensive game. In the opening week of Southland play, GG averaged 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals.
SWARMING DEFENSE
With a defense in the top five nationally in steals and turnovers, UNO has forced 15+ turnovers nine times this season and 20+ four times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals six times.
WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN
New Orleans is 5-0 when four or more players reached double figures.
NATIONAL RANKINGS AS OF 1.6
- New Orleans
- Steals per Game - 5th (10.2)
- Turnovers Forced - 5th (19.15)
- Total Steals - 20th (133)
- Assists per Game - 28th (16.9)
- Offensive Rebounds per Game - 35th (12.85)
- Blocked Shots per Game - 50th (4.6)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
