The University of New Orleans men's basketball team (2-2, 0-0 Southland) wraps up its California road swing Friday evening when it takes on Fresno State (4-2, 0-0 Mountain West) at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Friday night marks the second-ever meeting between the two programs. Fresno State won 50-32 in 1984. That game took place at Selland Arena, the Bulldogs' home from 1967 to 2003.
New Orleans' John Harris entered that game averaging 31.5 points per game — the best mark in the country — but managed only five points on 2-of-18 shooting. Fresno State, one of the best defensive teams in the NCAA during the late 1970s and early 1980s, held the Privateers to 14-of-41 from the floor.
Coleton Benson leads the current squad with 21.5 points per game, with outings of 22 (at TCU), 33 (at Tulane) and 17 (at Pepperdine) this season.
Jakevion Buckley is averaging 13.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.
MJ Thomas has grabbed 33 rebounds this season, including 14 at Pepperdine. He leads the Privateers with 8.3 rebounds per game.
Churchill Abass is averaging 6.0 rebounds per game, including an eight-rebound effort in his last start at Tulane.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Fresno State enters Friday night's game with a 4-2 record. The Bulldogs were picked 11th in the Mountain West preseason poll after finishing 6-26 overall and 2-18 in league play last season. All four of Fresno State's wins have come at the Save Mart Center this season, including an 80-78 victory over Southland member Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday.
Point guard Zaon Collins ranks No. 17 in the NCAA with 31 assists through six games. His average of 5.2 assists per game ranks 85th nationally and third in the Mountain West. He is also No. 30 nationally in field goals made with 36, leading the Mountain West.
Jake Heidbreder ranks No. 25 in the NCAA with 42 three-point attempts and No. 91 with 13 made from beyond the arc. He leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 16.7 points per game, while Collins is second at 15.5. Jac Mani is the only other Bulldog averaging double figures at 10.1 points per game. Jacques Wilson leads Fresno State in rebounding at 5.7 per game.
COVERAGE INFORMATION
Fans can watch the game free of charge on the Mountain West Network at the link above, or live on the Mountain West Roku app. Privateer Sports Network coverage will be available on 106.1 Heaven FM. Updates will also be available throughout the game on the @PrivateersHoops account on
X.
BLUES ON TUES. NEWSLETTER
To keep up with all athletics news at the University of New Orleans, subscribe
here for our weekly newsletter.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersHoops on
Twitter and
Instagram, like /
PrivateersHoops on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
