MBB: Louisiana Looks to Extend Home Winning Streak Against Nationally Ranked JMU
Winners of 19 straight home games, the third longest streak in the country, the Louisiana men's basketball team welcomes No. 19 James Madison to the Cajundome. The Dukes will be the first nationally ranked team since No. 20 Nevada to come to Lafayette in 2006.
The Cajuns look to get back on track after dropping their Sun Belt Conference opener on Saturday, December 30 at Marshall, 75-61. The Cajuns struggled from the field in the defeat, shooting .328 percent.
Joe Charles had another double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. His sixth double-double of the season places him 16th nationally. At 9.2 rebounds per game, Charles also ranks third in the SBC and he averages 11.2 points per game.
Kobe Julien once again finished in double figures with 11 points and continues to lead the SBC in scoring at 18.6 points per game. The junior is the only Cajun this season to finish in double figures every game.
Story Lines
• The Cajuns welcome the first nationally ranked team to Lafayette since November 29, 2006, when No. 20 Nevada held off the Cajuns, 86-74. Two days earlier the Cajuns hosted No. 22 Tennessee, falling 98-70.
• Louisiana looks for their first upset of a nationally ranked foe since November 23, 2002, when they beat No. 12 Mississippi State. The Ragin' Cajuns knocked off the Bulldogs 79-76 behind 33 points from Brad Boyd and 26 from Anthony Johnson. Current assistant coach Derrick Zimmerman was part of that Bulldog team, recording 18 points with 7 assists in the effort.
• The last time the Cajuns beat a ranked team on their home floor was Feb. 23, 198, when they upset No. 19 Lamar, 97-81. Graylin Warner scored a team-high 23 points while Wayne Julien, father of current Cajun Kobe Julien, had an impressive showing with 11 points and nine rebounds in the win.
• The Cajuns are 10-46 all-time against top 25 opponents.
• This contest features the two best scorers in the Sun Belt Conference in Kobe Julien (18.6) and Terrence Edwards Jr (17.2). Julien ranks 10th in the league in field goal percentage (.453) while Edwards is 11th (.452). Julien set himself apart by shooting .852 from the free throw line, third in the SBC.
• With his sixth double-double of the year Joe Charles moved into third in the SBC in rebounding at 9.2 per game. The junior ranks third in the conference in double-doubles overall. In the Marlin era, Charles is tied for 10th in total double-doubles, one behind Justin Miller and Elfrid Payton.
• Louisiana has won 19 straight games in the Cajundome, the second-longest streak in the venue's history and tied for the third-longest in the country. Only Boise State and Oral Roberts, both at 21, have a longer active streak.
GAME 14 PREVIEW – Louisiana (7-6, 0-1 SBC) vs. No. 19 James Madison (13-0, 1-0 SBC)
Date/Time: January 4, 2024 / 7 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, Louisiana
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)
RADIO/TV
TV: ESPN+
??Talent: Dan McDonald (pxp), Eric Mouton (analyst)
Radio: KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network
Talent: Jay Walker (pxp)
LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: Cajunstats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB | #GeauxCajuns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Series tied, 1-1
In Lafayette: Never played
In Harrisonburg: Series tied, 1-1
Neutral Sites: Never played
Streak: James Madison +1
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Re: MBB: Louisiana Looks to Extend Home Winning Streak Against Nationally Ranked JMU
Originally Posted by BigSaucey
