@RaginCajunsMBB Game 19 Preview: vs. South Alabama

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team returns home to the Cajundome for the first time in nearly three weeks when it plays host to South Alabama in a Sun Belt Conference game on Thursday.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp) and Eric Mouton (color) on the call. Fans can listen to the game in the Lafayette area on KHXT-FM (107.9), ESPN 1420 AM and worldwide on RaginCajuns.com with Jay Walker (PxP) and Ross Cook (color) providing the commentary.

Louisiana (11-7, 2-3 SBC) dropped a 99-95 decision at ULM last Saturday and returns to the Cajundome for the first time since a 75-61 victory over Little Rock on Jan. 5.

JaKeenan Gant, fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring (20.5) and third in rebounds (8.3), has notched seven double-doubles on the season, including his last four games. The 6-foot-8 forward, who is averaging 30.6 points per game in SBC play, is one of two players nationally currently averaging 30 points or more per game in league action.

The Ragin' Cajuns have won the last four meetings against South Alabama (9-10, 2-4 SBC) dating back to 2016, and have won three straight against the Jaguars at the Cajundome.

All fans attending the game can receive two free tickets by helping the United Way with the donation of two canned goods. All donations can be left at the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office.

As part of Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day, all UL Lafayette faculty and staff members can receive two free tickets to the game by presenting their Cajun Card.

For more information, contact the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2357.

GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (11-7, 2-3 SBC) vs. SOUTH ALABAMA (9-10, 2-4 SBC)
Date / Time: January 24, 2019 / 7 p.m. CT
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)

RADIO/TV
Radio: KHXT 107.9 FM / ESPN 1420 AM
Talent: Jay Walker (PxP); Ross Cook (color)
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (PxP); Eric Mouton (color)

LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: CajunStats.com
Social Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB | #GeauxCajuns

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Louisiana leads, 30-27
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 15-12
In Mobile: South Alabama leads, 13-12
Neutral: Louisiana leads, 3-2
Streak: Louisiana +4

THE COACHES
LOUISIANA
Head Coach: Bob Marlin (Mississippi State, 1981)
Record at Louisiana: 166-118 (ninth season), Career Record: 514-284 (26th season)

SOUTH ALABAMA
Head Coach: Richie Riley (Eastern Kentucky, 2005)
Record at USA: 9-10 (first season), Career Record: 44-38 (third season)

STORY LINES
• Louisiana faces the Alabama SBC schools (South Alabama, Troy) for the only scheduled games this season.
• The Ragin' Cajuns have won the last four meetings against South Alabama dating back to 2016, and have won three straight against the Jaguars at the Cajundome.
• Louisiana is taking part in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers® Week (January 21-27, 2019), a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer, and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer.

QUICK HITS
• P.J. Hardy became the sixth different player for Louisiana in 2018-19 to score 20 or more points in a game and the seventh player on the roster with a 20-point game in their Ragin' Cajuns career.
• Hardy, JaKeenan Gant, Malik Marquetti, Marcus Stroman, Jerekius Davis and Justin Miller have all scored 20+ points in a game in 2018-19. Cedric Russell scored a career-high 20 last season vs. Savannah State.
• Gant is the only active Division I player in 2018-19 averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game. If the season ended today, Gant would be the first player since D.J. Covington of VMI in 2013-14 and 12th player to accomplish the feat since 1992-93. Gant would join a list that includes Marcus Camby (1995-96) and Tim Duncan (1996-97).
• Gant is averaging 30.6 points per game in Sun Belt Conference play and joins Deishaun Booker (31.0) of Long Beach State as the only two Division I players averaging 30 points or more in conference games.
• The Ragin' Cajuns are officially 259-182 in Sun Belt Conference play and 93-58 under head coach Bob Marlin.
• Louisiana's 73-72 victory at Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 29 was its first one-point win since defeating ULM, 85-84, on Feb. 18, 2017. The Ragin' Cajuns are 11-4 overall in one-point games under head coach Bob Marlin and 55-49 overall in school history.

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Season tickets, beginning at $100, are available online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2357.
• All current UL faculty and staff, along with recent graduates (within the last five years), can purchase season tickets at a 50-percent discount to cheer on the Ragin' Cajuns during the 2018-19 season at the Cajundome.
• The special package will allow recent graduates of Louisiana to purchase tickets in sections 101-103. Discounts will be applied upon confirmation of graduate status by the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office.

GET YOUR PASSPORT
• The game against Southern is part of the "Louisiana Passport," which will recognize Ragin' Cajuns fans who attend all eight of Louisiana's scheduled games against in-state opponents during the 2018-19 season.
• Each game, beginning with the Ragin' Cajuns Nov. 28 game at New Orleans, fans will get their passport stamped at a location to be determined. In-state games for the Ragin' Cajuns include home games against Southern (Dec. 1), Loyola (Dec. 5), Louisiana Tech (Dec. 15) and ULM (Feb. 16), with additional road games slated against McNeese State (Dec. 18), Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 29) and ULM (Jan. 19).
• At Louisiana's game against ULM at the Cajundome on Feb. 16, those who have a completed passport with eight stamps will be recognized on the court at some point during the game.
• For more information on tickets, contact the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2357. For information concerning parking, contact the RCAF at (337) 851-2903.

CAJUNS CARE TICKET INITIATIVE
• Help Louisiana Athletics continue to give back! After a successful start during the 2018 football season, the Cajuns Care program will allow Ragin' Cajuns fans the opportunity to purchase Louisiana men's basketball season tickets for $20.
• Tickets purchased through the Cajuns Care program will be donated to local charitable and philanthropic initiatives, including Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana, the United Way and area military servicemen and servicewomen.
• Fans and supporters of Louisiana men's basketball can find the option to purchase Cajuns Care season tickets online, by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the Cajundome (337-265-2357) or visiting in-person.

FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsMBB), Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsMBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Men's Basketball.

@RaginCajunsMBB Game 19 Preview: vs. South Alabama

Players Mentioned

Jerekius Davis

JaKeenan Gant

P.J. Hardy

Malik Marquetti

Justin Miller

Cedric Russell

Marcus Stroman

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