Breakdown of non-conference schedule for Louisiana Tech men’s basketball

RUSTON – With the 2023-24 season less than two weeks away, take a deep dive into the non-conference schedule for the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team.

Colorado State (Nov. 6)
Colorado State was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll. The Rams look to bounce back from a 15-win season in 2022-23, this after making back-to-back postseason appearances including an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2022.

They are led by MWC Preseason Player of the Year Isaiah Stevens who is a four-time All-MWC selection. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Rams. He was also recently named to the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List.

This will be the second meeting between the Bulldogs and Rams. The two programs matched up in the NIT Final Four in 2021 with LA Tech coming out on top, 76-74, in the consolation game.

ULM (Nov. 16)
ULM was picked to finish 14th in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll. The Warhawks went 11-21 last season, seven of those victories coming in league play to finish 10th in the standings.

They are guided by Second Team Preseason All-Sun Belt guard Tyreke Locure who led the team in scoring last season at 14.4 points per game while also averaging 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest.

This will be the 93rd meeting between the two programs separated by only 30 miles. It will be the fourth straight season the Bulldogs and Warhawks square off and the first trip to Monroe for LA Tech since 2020.

Southern Utah (Nov. 21)
Southern Utah was picked to finish ninth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Thunderbirds won 24 games last season, finishing third in the WAC and advancing to the semifinals of the college Basketball Invitational.

This matchup is part of the CUSA/WAC Crossover as well as the Louisiana Tech MTE. It will be the second ever meeting between the two programs with the first meeting coming in 1998 in the cougar Classic in Provo, Utah. LA Tech came out on the winning end, 76-68, in overtime.

McNeese State (Nov. 22)
McNeese State was picked to finish second in the Southland Conference preseason poll, its highest preseason prediction in over a decade. Guided by new head coach Will Wade, former head coach at LSU, the Cowboys have brought in a strong contingent of transfers including TCU guard Shahada Wells who was one of three players voted preseason all-conference.

McNeese, who went 11-23 last season, will matchup with LA Tech as part of the Bulldogs home multi-team event. The two in-state schools last met a decade ago in 2013.

New Mexico (Nov. 29)
New Mexico was picked to finish third in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll. The Lobos, under the direction of head coach Richard Pitino, went 22-12 last season and was the last undefeated team in the country after starting the year, 14-0, and climbing to as high as No. 21 in the country.

New Mexico, who has two members named to the Preseason All-MWC Team in Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr., capped off the season with a trip to the National Invitation Tournament. This will be the third meeting between the Bulldogs and Lobos with the last matchup coming in Albuquerque in 2009.

Nicholls State (Dec. 2)
Nicholls State was picked to finish six in the Southland Conference preseason poll. The Colonels, led by first-year head coach Tevon Saddler, went 16-15 last season and finished fourth in the SLC standings after winning back-to-back regular titles on 2021 and 2022.

Nicholls, which is anchored by SLC Preseason All-Conference guard Micah Thomas, will face LA Tech for the first time since 2014.

Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 5)
Stephen F. Austin was picked to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Lumberjacks went 19-13 last season and tied for fourth in the WAC standings.

SFA is led by preseason All-WAC selection Sadaidriene Hall, Jr. who was a Second Team All-WAC performer last season, averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. This is part of a home-and-home series that was played in Ruston last year, won by the Lumberjacks in overtime.

UL-Lafayette (Dec. 9)
UL-Lafayette was picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll. The Ragin’ Cajuns won 26 games last season, claiming the SBC Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

ULL is led by First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Tehmus Fulks who averaged 9.2 points and 6.0 assists per game last season. This will be the 169th meeting between the two rivals.

Southeastern (Dec. 12)
Southeastern was picked to finish first in the Southland Conference preseason poll, just ahead of McNeese State. The Lions went 18-14 last season, finishing third in the SLC. They have three Preseason All-SLC Selections, led by Roger McFarlane who averaged 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season.

The Bulldogs and Lions last met on the hardwood in 2020.

Saint Louis (Dec. 16)
Saint Louis was picked to finish sixth in the Atlantic-10 preseason coaches poll. The Billikens went 21-12 last season, tying for second in the A-10. They are led by guard Gibson Jimerson who was named to the A-10 Conference preseason team. He led the team in scoring last season at 14.0 points per game.

This will be the fourth overall meeting between LA Tech and Saint Louis. They last faced one another in 2006 in the Shelby Metcalf Classic in College Station, Texas.

Seattle U (Dec. 20)
Seattle U was picked to finish third in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Redhawks won 20 games last season, tying for fourth in the WAC. They are led by Cameron Tyson who was a first Team All-WAC selection last season after leading the team in scoring at 18.6 points per game.

This will be the fourth ever meeting between the two programs. They last faced off twice in 2013 when they were WAC members. This will be the second CUSA/WAC Crossover matchup.

Grand Canyon (Dec. 30)
Grand Canyon was picked to finish first in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Lopes went 23-12 last season, winning the 2023 WAC Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. They are led by Preseason All-WAC members Ray Harrison Jr. and Gabe McGlothan who averaged 17.8 and 12.8 points per game, respectively, a year ago.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.

The Bulldogs will also host three non-D1 opponents this season – Lyon College (Nov. 13), Dillard (Nov. 25), and Dallas Christian (Jan. 3).

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