University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, December 22
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
Rice
Louisiana Looks to Snap Road Skid in Non-Conference Contest
12/21/2023 3:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Louisiana plays Rice for the first time since 2011
HOUSTON, Texas – Just one game remains for the Louisiana men's basketball team before Sun Belt Conference action starts next week. Looking for their first road win of the season, the Ragin' Cajuns take on Rice at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas in their final tune-up before conference play.
Last time out the Cajuns had a hard-fought battle at McNeese but came out on the wrong end of a 74-72 final. All five starters scored in double figures, including a team-high 19 by Kentrell Garnett and a career-high 16 by Hosana Kitenge. Kitenge has been hot of late, setting new career highs in points (16), rebounds (9), assists (3), blocks (3), and minutes (38) over the last two games.
The Cajuns head to Houston to face the Owls for the first time since 2003, an 81-73 victory by Rice. Louisiana's lone win at Rice came back in 1978 by a score of 76-70.
Story Lines
• Kobe Julien has been one of the best scorers in the country this season. The junior leads the Sun Belt in scoring (19.3) and total points (212). He's also second in free throw percentage (.854), sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.53, eighth in steals (1.6), and ninth in field goal percentage (.474).
• This season, five players have scored 20 or more points in a game for the Cajuns. They are one of 24 schools in the country with that many individual 20-point scorers.
• This is the middle game of a three-game road swing to close the 2023 calendar year. The Cajuns look for their first true road win since January 21 against Texas State, a streak of seven games.
• Last week head coach Bob Marlin participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative, donating $100 for every made three against Eastern Kentucky and McNeese. The Cajuns hit 13 for a total of $1,300.
• The Cajuns play Rice for just the fourth time this century, with the Owls taking two of those three contests. The last time the Cajuns won in Houston was Dec. 15, 1978, 76-70. The sides have alternated wins in the series over the last five contests, dating back to 1950.
GAME 12 PREVIEW – Louisiana (6-5, 0-0 SBC) vs. Rice (6-6, 0-0 AAC)
Date / Time: December 22, 2023 / 7 p.m.
Site: Houston, Texas
Arena: Legacy Center (5,208)
RADIO/TV
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Randy McIlvoy (pxp), Nate Griffin (analyst)
Radio: KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network
Talent: Dawson Eiserloh (pxp)
LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: Cajunstats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB | #GeauxCajuns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Rice leads, 7-4
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 3-2
In Houston: Rice leads, 4-1
Unknown Sites: Rice leads, 1-0
Streak: Rice +2
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Season tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome, or by purchasing by visiting Account Manager. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
Last time out the Cajuns had a hard-fought battle at McNeese but came out on the wrong end of a 74-72 final. All five starters scored in double figures, including a team-high 19 by Kentrell Garnett and a career-high 16 by Hosana Kitenge. Kitenge has been hot of late, setting new career highs in points (16), rebounds (9), assists (3), blocks (3), and minutes (38) over the last two games.
The Cajuns head to Houston to face the Owls for the first time since 2003, an 81-73 victory by Rice. Louisiana's lone win at Rice came back in 1978 by a score of 76-70.
Story Lines
• Kobe Julien has been one of the best scorers in the country this season. The junior leads the Sun Belt in scoring (19.3) and total points (212). He's also second in free throw percentage (.854), sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.53, eighth in steals (1.6), and ninth in field goal percentage (.474).
• This season, five players have scored 20 or more points in a game for the Cajuns. They are one of 24 schools in the country with that many individual 20-point scorers.
• This is the middle game of a three-game road swing to close the 2023 calendar year. The Cajuns look for their first true road win since January 21 against Texas State, a streak of seven games.
• Last week head coach Bob Marlin participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative, donating $100 for every made three against Eastern Kentucky and McNeese. The Cajuns hit 13 for a total of $1,300.
• The Cajuns play Rice for just the fourth time this century, with the Owls taking two of those three contests. The last time the Cajuns won in Houston was Dec. 15, 1978, 76-70. The sides have alternated wins in the series over the last five contests, dating back to 1950.
GAME 12 PREVIEW – Louisiana (6-5, 0-0 SBC) vs. Rice (6-6, 0-0 AAC)
Date / Time: December 22, 2023 / 7 p.m.
Site: Houston, Texas
Arena: Legacy Center (5,208)
RADIO/TV
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Randy McIlvoy (pxp), Nate Griffin (analyst)
Radio: KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network
Talent: Dawson Eiserloh (pxp)
LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: Cajunstats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB | #GeauxCajuns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Rice leads, 7-4
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 3-2
In Houston: Rice leads, 4-1
Unknown Sites: Rice leads, 1-0
Streak: Rice +2
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Season tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome, or by purchasing by visiting Account Manager. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballQuannas White Media Availability (May 4, 2025)
Monday, May 05
Quannas White Introductory Press Conference
Sunday, March 16
Derrick Zimmerman Media Availability (Feb 24, 2025)
Monday, February 24
Derrick Zimmerman Media Availability (Feb 17, 2025)
Monday, February 17
