NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans (2-1) men's basketball looks to reset against Oklahoma State (1-3) Monday, November 20 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the home of Privateers Sports NASH 106.1 FM with the Voice of the Privateers Jude Young calling the action.
GET YOUR TICKETS
The Privateers will host Belhaven for their next home contest on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. on the Lakefront. Fans can purchase tickets now by visiting unoprivateer.com/tickets.
PREVIEW
New Orleans is 2-1 on the season after a heartbreaking 73-70 loss to Loyola Chicago despite Jordan Johnson's 31 points at Gentile Arena Saturday afternoon. The Ramblers led by as much as 13 in the first half and ten to close it out. New Orleans was able to get within a possession twice in the second half with Johnson scoring 21 of his 31 points to lead the comeback attempt. Johnson, who was consecutively named New Orleans Player of the Game, put up 31 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the men in blue. Behind Johnson was Carlos Hart who had nine points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Jamond Vincent led the way in rebounding with seven and also chipped in six points.
The 31-point effort was Johnson's third time with 30+ points in his career as a Privateer. He put up 32 points against southeastern in the 2022-23 Southland Conference Tournament. New Orleans outscored Loyola 39-32 in the second half and from three-point range with Johnson and Hart combining for six. Averaging 23.3 points per game, Johnson is ranked ninth in the nation in scoring and 15th in three-pointers per game at 3.67. New Orleans held Loyola to 20% shooting from long range and only 14 points in the paint compared to the first half where they managed to put up 22 points from inside. Over three games, New Orleans is shooting over 40% and 77% from the foul line. The Privateers are tied for seventh in free throws made per game at 21.0. Thirteen-year Head Coach Mark Slessinger holds a 163-200 (.449) record at the helm for the Privateers.
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
The Cowboys are desperately seeking a win at home after dropping two contests in a row in identical fashion, with the most recent being against Notre Dame 66-64 in the Legends Classic. Javon Small scored a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. He was 4-of-8 from three and 9-of-9 from the foul line. John-Michael Wright added 11 points and Quion Williams had 11 rebounds. Small became the first Cowboy to record a 25-point double-double since Cade Cunningham during the 2020-21 season. Javon Small, John-Michael Wright, Quion Williams, Eric Dailey Jr. and Brandon Garrison started for the Cowboys. Dating back to last season, the Cowboys have shot over 40 percent from the field in 18 of their last 23 games. Dating back to last season, the Pokes have posted 10 or more assists in 33 of their last 40 games. Mike Boynton has spent seven years at the helm for OSU accumulating a 108-92 (.540) record.
SERIES WITH THE COWBOYS
Dating back to 1981, New Orleans is 3-9 all-time against the Cowboys and last saw the team November 16, 2016, at Gallagher-Iba. New Orleans last beat OSU in 1988 at home. 10 of the 12 series meetings between OSU and New Orleans came between 1981 and 1991. During that time period, New Orleans advanced twice to NCAA tournaments (1987 and 1991) while producing three NBA players -- most notably 6-11 Ervin Johnson, a first-round draft pick who played for UNO from 1989-93 before logging parts of 13 seasons with the Sonics, Nuggets, Bucks and Timberwolves.
SLESSINGER IN STILLWATER
Before the 2016 meeting, Slessinger's last visited Stillwater as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern State during the 2005-06 season when the Demons upset OSU (68-64). It was one of only two non-conference home losses suffered by the Cowboys in their 16 seasons under Eddie Sutton (1990-2006). That NSU team went on to win the Southland tournament and upset No. 3 seed Iowa in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersHoops on Twitter, @PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like /PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
