NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans (13-10, 8-4 Southland) returns to the hardwood Saturday at 4:15 p.m. at Lakefront Arena. The Privateers will host Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (10-14, 5-6 Southland) in the second game of a three-game homestand.
TIP OFF
• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took the first of two regular season meetings earlier this season, 76-61.
• The Privateers are in third in the Southland Conference standings at 8-4.
• The Islanders are 5-6 in league play after falling to undefeated Sam Houston State 70-69.
• With three of its six regular season games remaining slated to take place at Lakefront Arena, New Orleans is in a good position as the Privateers are 9-2 on the Lakefront.
• UNO had its first of two byes Wednesday. The Privateers will be off the final day of the regular season (March 9).
• Three players reached double figures last week vs. Nicholls -
Gerrale Gates and
Scott Plaisance Jr. posted 15 apiece and
Ezekiel Charles added 14.
• Plaisance Jr. finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. It was his first career double-double and third by a UNO student-athlete this season.
• All-time versus the Islanders, New Orleans is 11-8 and 6-2 at home.
• The Privateers rank third in the league in forced turnovers (18.78) and fourth in steals per game (9.9).
• It was Senior Day on the Lakefront last week with
Jorge Rosa,
Tyren Harrison,
Ezekiel Charles and
Scott Plaisance Jr. being recognized for their contributions to the Privateers program.
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
Stream:
http://unoprivateers.com/watch/
Social Media
Twitter:
@PrivateersMBB
Instagram:
@PrivateersMBB
Facebook:
PrivateersMBB
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
Hitting the hardwood for the first time this week, New Orleans is in the midst of a three-game homestand. The Privateers fell to Nicholls last Saturday 64-63. In the setback,
Scott Plaisance Jr. was honored pregame as one of four seniors, as the forward posted his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Plaisance Jr. was 7-of-9 from the field and added three blocked shots.
Damion Rosser continued to provide a little of everything with five points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal.
Ezekiel Charles finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and freshman
Gerrale Gates scored 15 points to go with his eight boards.
The Privateers rank third in the nation in turnovers forced (18.78) and fourth in steals per game (9.9). On the perimeter, UNO is limiting opponents to 31.9 percent shooting from long distance.
Ezekiel Charles leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Damion Rosser is the program's leader in steals and assists and Plaisance Jr. leads in blocks per game.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS
A close 70-69 setback versus Sam Houston State featured Jashawn Talton post 18 points and eight rebounds. At halftime, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi led by one against the league's leading team. On the year, the 'Ders are holding opponents to 66.7 points per game. With a +3.9 edge in the rebounding department, Corpus Christi will count on its bigs.
THE SERIES
The Privateers lead the series 11-8 and 6-2 when hosting the Islanders. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated New Orleans earlier this season 76-61.
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.
THIRD PLACE
Seeding always plays a big part and with six regular season games remaining, the Privateers sit in third place (tied) in the Southland at 8-4, behind Abilene Christian (9-3) and Sam Houston State (12-0). New Orleans is tied with next week's and the regular season finale's opponent Southeastern Louisiana. The Bearkats enter Lakefront Arena Feb. 27.
UNDER SLESS
Since joining the Southland Conference, the Privateers are 52-50 in league play.
DAME
Damion Rosser continues to do a little of everything, averaging 9.0 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals. In Wednesday's win at Northwestern State, Rosser finished with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
GG SEASON HIGH
Gerrale Gates continues to show his growth on both ends of the floor. The true freshman finished with a season-high 18 points in just 20 minutes Saturday vs. UIW (Feb. 2) and added five rebounds, a block and a steal. The North Carolina native is averaging 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and a steal per game.
In last week's game versus Nicholls, Gates posted 15 points and eight rebounds and continues to provide a presence on the interior, with four boards on the offensive end.
SCOTTIE NO NO NO
Scott Plaisance Jr. is swatting away shots at will inside, with nine blocks in the last four games, including three last week versus Nicholls. The senior posted his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the one-point setback.
SOUTHLAND ONLY STATS ENTERING WEEK
Ezekiel Charles leads the team in scoring through 12 conference games, averaging 15.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per contest.
Bryson Robinson follows with 12.3 points and 38.0 percent shooting from long distance.
Damion Rosser is averaging 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and posted team-highs in blocks (12) and steals (23).
FREE THROW IMPROVEMENT
In Wednesday's victory at Northwestern State (Feb. 6), the Privateers connected on 21-of-26 from the line, making 20+ free throws for the sixth time this season.
SWARMING DEFENSE
With a defense in the top five nationally in steals and turnovers, UNO has forced 15+ turnovers 17 times this season and 20+ seven times. The Privateers have collected 10+ steals 12 times. UNO is 12-5 when forcing 15-plus miscues.
WIN 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 8-0 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 11-2.
PRIVATEERS IN DOUBLEHEADERS
Men's basketball is 4-2 in 2018-19 when playing immediately after the women.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
