MBB Game 7 Preview: Nicholls State

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team returns to the newly-renovated Cajundome for the first time this season when it plays host to in-state foe Nicholls State on Thursday in a non-conference game.

Tipoff is set for 7:15 p.m., and will follow the Ragin' Cajuns women's game against Xavier (N.O.) that begins at 5 p.m. Live video streaming will be available on RaginCajuns.com with the game being broadcast in the Lafayette area on KHXT 107.9 FM and ESPN 1420-AM, with fans also able to hear the game worldwide on the Radio Pup app.

AcroDunk, a basketball performance squad founded by Jerry L. Burrell in 1994, will be performing during the halftime of both men's and women's basketball games. The halftime performance is presented by Hampton Toyota.

Louisiana (4-2) returns to the Cajundome after the facility underwent $22 million in renovations that included new seating, new lighting, improved restrooms and concession stands, improved signage and a newly designed floor. The Ragin' Cajuns, who opened the season with games at Minnesota and Montana State, played a total of four games this season at its former home from 1950-84 - Blackham Coliseum.

Frank Bartley leads Louisiana in scoring, averaging 19.0 points per game with Bryce Washington averaging a double-double (15.7 points, 11.2 rebounds). Jay Wright (13.8 ppg.) and freshman Justin Miller (11.0 ppg.) are next in scoring for the Ragin' Cajuns, who lead the Sun Belt Conference at 87.2 points per game.

Nicholls (4-3), under first-year coach Richie Riley, opened the season with a 79-73 win at Boston College on Nov. 11 and has earned wins over Mississippi College, Bethune-Cookman College and Samford. DeAndre Harris leads the Colonels with a 15.3 scoring average with Ja'Dante' Frye (14.7), Johnathan Bell (13.4) and Lafayette Rutledge (11.3) all averaging in double figures.

The game against Nicholls is the first of four straight games for the Ragin' Cajuns against in-state schools. Louisiana will face McNeese State (Dec. 3), Loyola (Dec. 7) and Louisiana Tech (Dec. 10) over the next week.

GAME 7: Louisiana (4-2) vs. Nicholls (4-3)
December 1, 2016 | 7:15 p.m. CST | Lafayette, La. | Cajundome (12,362)
TV: None
Radio: KHXT 107.9 FM / ESPN 1420 AM | Talent: Jay Walker (PBP)
Video: RaginCajuns.com
Live Stats: RaginCajuns.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB; @ULRaginCajuns
Series: Louisiana leads, 22-3
In Lafayette: 14-2 | In Thibodaux: Louisiana leads, 8-1

THE COACHES
LOUISIANA
Head Coach: Bob Marlin (Mississippi State, 1981)
Career Record: 459-260 (24th season), Record at UL: 111-94 (7th season)

NICHOLLS STATE
Head Coach: Richie Riley (Eastern Kentucky, 2005)
Career Record: 4-3 (first season), Record at NSU: Same

STORY LINES
• Louisiana plays its first game in the newly-renovated Cajundome, which underwent a $22 million facelift earlier this year and includes new seating, lighting, concession areas and signage.

• Louisiana looks to extend its win streak to five games after opening the season with losses at Minnesota and Montana State.

• Louisiana's 4-2 record in the month of November, was the second-best mark and one win shy of the 2013-14 squad that started 5-2 in the opening month and reached the NCAA Championships.

• The game against Nicholls is the first of four straight games for the Ragin' Cajuns against in-state schools. Louisiana will face McNeese State (Dec. 3), Loyola (Dec. 7) and Louisiana Tech (Dec. 10) over the next week.

ABOUT THE COLONELS
Nicholls State, under first-year coach Richie Riley, opened the season with a 79-73 win at Boston College on Nov. 11 and has earned wins over Mississippi College, Bethune-Cookman College and Samford. DeAndre Harris leads the Colonels with a 15.3 scoring average with Ja'Dante' Frye (14.7), Johnathan Bell (13.4) and Lafayette Rutledge (11.3) all averaging in double figures.

THE UL-NSU SERIES
• The meeting between Louisiana and Nicholls State is the 26th meeting - and only the second since 1991 - between the in-state schools on the hardwood with the Ragin' Cajuns holding a 22-3 advantage. Louisiana holds a 14-2 advantage in games played in Lafayette and has won three straight in the series.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
• Louisiana will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 3) when it travels to Lake Charles to face in-state rival McNeese State in a 1 p.m. contest at Burton Coliseum. The game will be televised on Cox Sports TV and ESPN3.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Frank Bartley

Justin Miller

Bryce Washington

Jay Wright

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