Louisiana Hosts Texas State In Sun Belt Hoops Opener

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Men's Basketball team officially opens its 30^th season of Sun Belt Conference play beginning on Friday when it plays host to Texas State in a two-game series at the Cajundome.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., on Friday with the series finale set for Saturday at 4 p.m. Both game will be available on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp) and former Ragin' Cajuns point guard Eric Mouton (color) on the call.

Both games can also be heard in the Lafayette area on KPEL 96.5 FM with Jay Walker providing the commentary. Live stats will be available at CajunStats.com.

In an effort to limit exposure due to COVID concerns, Sun Belt Conference teams will host one opponent for two games on Friday and Saturday each week during the 2020-21 season. Additionally, Louisiana will only play its divisional opponents, playing four schools (Arkansas State, Little Rock, Texas State and UT Arlington) a total of four times, while playing its traditional travel partner (ULM) twice.

After dropping its season-opener to nationally-ranked Baylor on Nov. 28, Louisiana (6-1) has won its last six games while posting its first undefeated record in the month of December (6-0) since the 1972-73 season.

Louisiana, picked to finish second in the SBC West Division and third overall, returns to action for the first time since a 75-65 win over McNeese State on Dec. 19. The games against Texas State (6-3) are part of Louisiana's nine-game home stand, which concludes next weekend (Jan. 8-9) with a pair of games against West Division and league favorite Little Rock.

Season-ticket holders can download their tickets through mobile ticketing from Ticketmaster. Fans can download the #GeauxCajuns app to their smart phone to begin the process. Season-ticket holders who are unable to download tickets or wish to have printed can visit the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the Cajundome to have them printed.

For more information on Men's Basketball tickets, fans can call the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170.

The Cajundome will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for the 2020-21 season (unless state COVID-19 policy changes during the season). This will allow for fans and University students to be accommodated this season. The Department of Athletics will quickly communicate any schedule adjustments or changes to attendance protocols through its social media channels and RaginCajuns.com.

In the interest of public safety and following the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Best Practices Guide, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Athletics Department is implementing a clear bag policy at all venues that host ticketed events effective with the 2020-21 competition season. Information about the clear bag policy can be found by visiting www.RaginCajuns.com/clearbag.

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.

GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (6-1) vs. TEXAS STATE (6-3)
FRIDAY – Game 1
Date / Time: January 1, 2021 / 6 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)

SATURDAY – Game 2
Date / Time: January 2, 2021 / 4 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, La.

RADIO/TV
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (PxP), Eric Mouton (color)
Radio: KPEL 96.5
Talent: Jay Walker (PxP)

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

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Louisiana leads, 12-4
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 6-1
In San Marcos: Louisiana leads, 4-3
Neutral: Louisiana leads, 2-0
Streak: Texas State +3
Last Meeting: TXST, 71-66 (2/1/20 at San Marcos)

THE COACHES
LOUISIANA
Head Coach: Bob Marlin (Mississippi State, 1981)
Record at Louisiana: 194-144 (11^th season), Career Record: 542-309 (28th season)

TEXAS STATE
Interim Head Coach: Terrence Johnson (Southern, 2001)
Record at Texas State: 6-3 (first season), Career Record: Same

STORY LINES
• Louisiana officially opens its 30th season of Sun Belt Conference basketball on New Year's Day when it faces Texas State in a two-game series at the Cajundome.
• Louisiana is officially 17-12 overall in Sun Belt Conference openers. The Ragin' Cajuns have dropped four of its last five SBC openers.
• Louisiana is playing the sixth and seventh of nine straight games at home which concludes next week (Jan. 8-9) against West Division favorite Little Rock.
• Louisiana will play its West Division rivals (Arkansas State, Little Rock, Texas State, UT Arlington) in a pair (home-and-home) of two-game series with single-game, home-and-home series against in-state foe ULM.
• A victory would increase Louisiana's win streak to seven games, the longest since winning 10 straight games late during the Ragin' Cajuns' Sun Belt Championship 2017-18 season.
• With 109 career Sun Belt Conference victories, head coach Bob Marlin is two shy of tying legendary coach Gene Bartow (UAB) for third in league history.

QUICK HITS
• The Ragin' Cajuns are 20-9 when opening league play at the Cajundome.
• Mylik Wilson is one of five players nationally averaging at least 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
• Louisiana's 16-point deficit in the second half of an eventual 61-56 win over Louisiana Tech on Dec. 12 equaled the second-largest comeback victory in the Bob Marlin era.
• Cedric Russell is two 3-pointers shy of passing Michael Allen (208, 1991-94) for sixth place in school history.
• Russell is five treys shy of tying Blane Harmon (1998-01) for fifth place on the Ragin' Cajuns career list.
• Russell is 12 points shy of tying Cedric Hill (1,108 points, 1981-86) for 36th place on the Ragin' Cajuns all-time scoring list.
• Theo Akwuba is third nationally in blocked shots per game (3.6) and fifth in total blocks (25).
• Louisiana's 6-0 record in the month of December was its first in the month since posting a 5-0 mark in 1972-73.
• Louisiana's 68 rebounds against LSU-A on Dec. 8 are the most by a Sun Belt school in 2020-21 and third nationally behind Murray State (79 vs. Greenville) and Georgia Tech (70, vs. Georgia State).

Louisiana Hosts Texas State In Sun Belt Hoops Opener

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Players Mentioned

Theo Akwuba

Cedric Russell

Mylik Wilson

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