The reigning Southland Conference Tournament champion University of New Orleans (14-15) begins its title defense as the No. 5 seed, taking on No. 8 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (11-17) Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Merrell Center.
The Privateers swept the regular season series over the Islanders and have won the last four matchups between the programs, including last season's overtime win in the clinching championship game that saw the Silver and Blue earn its first NCAA appearance in 21 seasons.
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
New Orleans officially defends its Southland Conference tournament crown as the No. 5 seed. Makur Puou pulled down 10 rebounds in two of the final three games. He is averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Scott Plaisance blocked six shots in the final four games, including three at Nicholls. He also swiped three passes against the Colonels. Troy Green scores 7.5 points and adds 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game and Ezekiel Charles is shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range.
Diontae Champion scored a season-high 16 points off the bench in the regular season finale against Southland Conference regular season champion Southeastern Louisiana. Zeke added 12 and Green chipped in with 11.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS
Second team all-Southland Conference honoree Joe Kilgore paces the Ders with 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was in a must-win situation Saturday and did just that, securing the last spot in the Southland Conference tournament with a 92-87 victory over Houston Baptist in H-Town.
The 92 points were a season-high for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
THREE IN A ROW
The Privateers swept the regular season series with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and look to improve to 5-0 versus the Islanders since the 2016-17 season. One of those wins was the Southland Conference Tournament championship clincher from last season, propelling the Silver and Blue to its first NCAA appearance in 21 seasons.
FOUR WINS IN FOUR DAYS
A true test awaits New Orleans as the Privateers must win four games in four days in order to clinch the automatic berth into March Madness. Should UNO defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, it would advance to face No. 4 Sam Houston State Thursday at 5 p.m.
The winner of that game moves on to face No. 2 Southeastern Louisiana Friday at 5 p.m. and the championship game - live on ESPN2 - will tip off at 8 p.m. Saturday.
RECORD AGAINST PROJECTED OPPONENTS
New Orleans is 2-3 against its projected Southland Conference Tournament opponents prior to the championship game. The Privateers swept the Ders, attempted a game-tying shot at the buzzer in the lone matchup with the Bearkats, and nearly overcame a 25-point deficit in the first of two meetings with the Lions. In the regular season finale, the short-handed Privateers fell 68-64.
The Privateers swept the regular season series over the Islanders and have won the last four matchups between the programs, including last season's overtime win in the clinching championship game that saw the Silver and Blue earn its first NCAA appearance in 21 seasons.
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
New Orleans officially defends its Southland Conference tournament crown as the No. 5 seed. Makur Puou pulled down 10 rebounds in two of the final three games. He is averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Scott Plaisance blocked six shots in the final four games, including three at Nicholls. He also swiped three passes against the Colonels. Troy Green scores 7.5 points and adds 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game and Ezekiel Charles is shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range.
Diontae Champion scored a season-high 16 points off the bench in the regular season finale against Southland Conference regular season champion Southeastern Louisiana. Zeke added 12 and Green chipped in with 11.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS
Second team all-Southland Conference honoree Joe Kilgore paces the Ders with 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was in a must-win situation Saturday and did just that, securing the last spot in the Southland Conference tournament with a 92-87 victory over Houston Baptist in H-Town.
The 92 points were a season-high for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
THREE IN A ROW
The Privateers swept the regular season series with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and look to improve to 5-0 versus the Islanders since the 2016-17 season. One of those wins was the Southland Conference Tournament championship clincher from last season, propelling the Silver and Blue to its first NCAA appearance in 21 seasons.
FOUR WINS IN FOUR DAYS
A true test awaits New Orleans as the Privateers must win four games in four days in order to clinch the automatic berth into March Madness. Should UNO defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, it would advance to face No. 4 Sam Houston State Thursday at 5 p.m.
The winner of that game moves on to face No. 2 Southeastern Louisiana Friday at 5 p.m. and the championship game - live on ESPN2 - will tip off at 8 p.m. Saturday.
RECORD AGAINST PROJECTED OPPONENTS
New Orleans is 2-3 against its projected Southland Conference Tournament opponents prior to the championship game. The Privateers swept the Ders, attempted a game-tying shot at the buzzer in the lone matchup with the Bearkats, and nearly overcame a 25-point deficit in the first of two meetings with the Lions. In the regular season finale, the short-handed Privateers fell 68-64.
