NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans (2-1) men's basketball looks to reset as they head to Conway, Ark., for two games this weekend at the Central Arkansas Classic, taking on North Dakota on Saturday at noon followed by a Sunday game against Central Arkansas at 2:45 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 2-2 on the season after a loss to Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Privateers clawed their way out of double-figure deficits more than once, and an 11-point deficit to get within a possession at the 10:15 mark, but the Cowboys pulled away to a 96-68 decision.
Johnson led the Privateers with 23 points, scoring all but seven of them in the first half. Tyson Jackson, named New Orleans Player of the Game, joined him in double figures with 15 points and three rebounds on six-of-eight from the field. Johnson was 6-of-17 from the field and 3-of-9 from deep. Johnson averaged 27 points during the road swing advancing him to fourth in the NCAA in points per game at 23.2. He also sits at 16 in the national rankings in three pointers per game at 3.50 per game.
Over four games, New Orleans is outscoring opponents from the foul line by six points at 20.2 made shots per game ranking them 10th in the NCAA. The Privateers are ninth in the NCAA in fast break points averaging 20.50 points per game. Both Johnson and Jah Short are in the top 100 in the NCAA in assists per game and double doubles respectively.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS
The Fighting Hawks are looking for their first four game winning streak since 2017, when the team won four straight games from March 4-11, winning the final game of the regular season and then three straight games in the Big Sky Tournament en route to a conference championship. North Dakota has hit at least one triple in every game dating back to Mar. 1, 2018. The last time the Hawks did not make a three came on Feb. 24, 2018, when UND went 0-for-8 from downtown at Northern Colorado in a 79-66 loss. North Dakota has hit at least one three in each of the last 161 games played. Tsotne Tsartsidze is of over four players who recorded double figures with a team high 19 in the 73-71-win Pacific. The forward also scored 16 in the win over Elon.
SERIES WITH THE FIGHTING HAWKS
The two teams are meeting for the first time.
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!
