NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans (11-9, 6-3 Southland) looks for its fifth consecutive win over the University of the Incarnate Word (6-15, 1-7 Southland) Saturday at 4:15 p.m. at Lakefront Arena.
PROMOTIONS
Prior to the men's contest, head coach
Mark Slessinger will be presented with a game ball commemorating his 100
th career victory as the leader of the men's basketball program. Coach Slessinger earned win No. 100 January 9, 2019 in an overtime victory at Lamar University, becoming the third coach to reach the century mark in program history.
TIP OFF
• New Orleans looks to improve to 10-1 overall at home and 9-1 at Lakefront Arena Saturday when it hosts UIW at 4:15 p.m.
• The Privateers defeated the Cardinals 61-52 last week in San Antonio behind
Bryson Robinson's 19 points - 15 from long distance.
• In the win, UNO forced 21 turnovers and ended the game on an 8-0 run, and through the final nine minutes, outscored Incarnate Word 17-4.
• UIW is the nation's top free throw shooting team, but coach Slessinger's squad limited the attempts last week as the Cards did not visit the line in the second half.
• Through the last three games, Robinson is 19-of-35 from three-point range and is scoring 21.3 points per game.
• In Wednesday's victory over Northwestern State, three players reached double figures and the Privateers connected on 20 of 27 from the charity stripe.
• A win would be the 360th career victory at Lakefront Arena/Human Performance Center.
• The Privateers have won six consecutive home games and five at Lakefront Arena.
• New Orleans is currently in third place in the standings, just one game behind Abilene Christian. Sam Houston State is undefeated atop the Southland (8-0). The Bearkats visit New Orleans Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the final home game of the regular season.
•
Troy Green came off the bench with eight points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in Wed. W.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Game Notes:
http://unoprivateers.com/sports/2017/11/6/mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx
Live Stats:
https://uiwcardinals.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Watch/Listen:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
PrivateersMBB
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
New Orleans is looking for a season sweep over the Cardinals for the second consecutive season. The Privateers defeated UIW 61-52 last Saturday in the McDermott Center.
UNO is searching for its third consecutive Southland win to keep its spot in the top three of the Southland Conference standings. Currently, the Privateers are one game back of Abilene Christian.
Wednesday's win was the 50th Southland victory for head coach
Mark Slessinger.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Under the direction of first-year coach Dr. Carson Cunningham, UIW is 0-7 in true road games this season. The Cardinals are in the midst of a six-game losing skid. In Wednesday's 96-92 setback to HBU, four players reached double figures, led by Dwight Murray's 20 points. Jordan Caruso finished with 18 points and Augustine Ene and Christian Peevy scored 15 apiece. In the loss, UIW shot 56.6 percent from the floor, 61.9 percent from three-point range and 86.4 percent from the line, but the 16 turnovers led to 28 Huskies points.
THE SERIES
The Privateers are 4-3 all-time versus UIW, with the four wins coming since Jan. 7, 2017.
SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Purchase your tickets to the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas March 13-16 by visiting UNOPrivateers.com/SLC. Full books for all sessions are just $80.
SOUTHLAND ONLY STATS
Bryson Robinson leads the Privateers in scoring through seven conference games, averaging 14.3 points and is shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range. His 28 assists are the most in league play.
Ezekiel Charles follows with 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds and is hitting 81.8 percent of his free throws.
Damion Rosser, who scored 13 points in Wednesday's win, is averaging 10.0 points on 53.1 percent shooting with nine blocks, 14 steals and 14 assists.
In nine games (all off the bench),
Troy Green is averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 assists.
NEXT FOUR SAME TWO
The next four games feature or featured two opponents - UIW and Northwestern State. The Privateers defeated the Cardinals 61-52 Saturday in San Antonio and the Demons 72-64 Wednesday. Following Saturday's home game to close out the series vs. UIW, the Privateers head to Natchitoches for the series sweep over Northwestern State.
SWISS ARMY LIFE
Damion Rosser has played every game this season and has guarded every position on the floor. On the year, he is averaging 8.9 points on 50.7 percent shooting and adds 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 13 blocks.
FREE THROW IMPROVEMENT
In Wednesday's victory over Northwestern State, the Privateers connected on 20-of-27 from the line, making 20+ free throws for the fourth time this season.
SWARMING DEFENSE
With a defense in the top five nationally in steals and turnovers, UNO has forced 15+ turnovers 15 times this season and 20+ six times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals 10 times. UNO is 10-5 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 9-2.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
