NEW ORLEANS – McNeese basketball hits the road for the next two weeks for its annual "Rodeo Road Trip" due to Burton Coliseum being scheduled for its annual professional rodeo and livestock show event.
The Cowboys are hoping to rebound from their lack-luster play against Northwestern State in their last outing when they visit first place New Orleans at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
McNeese (6-12, 3-4 SLC) put together its best 40 minutes of play on the season in a 10-point win over Central Arkansas last Wednesday, but three days later, played its worst first half of the year to the Demons.
"We beat ourselves," said head coach
Dave Simmons. "We just weren't focused at all. This is a big trip for us so we're going to have to be focused the entire time."
After the UNO game, McNeese will play at Nicholls on Saturday night then next week, will visit Incarnate Word on Thursday followed by a Saturday afternoon tilt at Lamar.
UNO (11-7, 6-1) is off to its best start in Southland Conference play since joining the league four years ago and is sitting all alone atop the conference standings. The Privateers have won two straight and seven out of eight games. They're coming off an 81-63 win at Central Arkansas this past Saturday.
UNO's only league loss came at the hands of Sam Houston State by a 70-68 score in New Orleans.
The Privateers are led by league scoring leader Erik Thomas who is averaging 19.9 points per game. Two other UNO players are dipping in double-digits as well – Christavious Gill (12.2) and Nate Frye (12.0).
McNeese counters with three players of its own scoring in double-digits, led by
Jamaya Burr with 11.3 points per game.
Kalob Ledoux is up to a 10.8 average while
Jarren Greenwood is sinking 10.0 per game.
Ledoux is coming off back-to-back 17-point outings and is currently one of the hottest scorers in the league right.
But the Cowboys will need to cut down on unforced mistakes, something that was a big problem against Northwestern State that resulted into 18 turnovers.
"We just have to be aware of our surroundings and take care of the ball," said Simmons who is 4-2 against UNO as McNeese's head coach. "If we do that and we shoot the ball well, we'll win ball games."
