Winner of Tuesday’s Cajuns-Chanticleers game guaranteed to host in first-round of Sun Belt Championships

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball team looks to build momentum in the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championships when it wraps up its 2019-20 regular-season on Tuesday facing Coastal Carolina at the Cajundome.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard in the Lafayette area on KHXT 107.9 FM, RaginCajuns.com and the Hot 107.9 mobile app with Jay Walker on the call. The game will also be available on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (Play-By-Play) and Eric Mouton (Color) providing commentary.

Live stats will be available at CajunStats.com.

The winner of Tuesday’s game between Louisiana (12-18, 7-12 Sun Belt) and Coastal Carolina (15-15, 8-11 Sun Belt) would guarantee a first-round game at home in the Sun Belt Championships, which begins on Saturday with a pair of games at campus sites.

The meeting between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Chanticleers is the lone contest of the regular-season between the schools with Louisiana holding a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series.

Jalen Johnson (15.2 ppg.), Cedric Russell (13.7), Mylik Wilson (11.4) and senior P.J. Hardy (10.4) are the top scorers for Louisiana with Johnson leading the team with 6.6 rebounds per game.

DeVante Jones tops Coastal Carolina in scoring at 16.7 points per game with Tommy Burton (11.5) and Tyrell Gumbs-Frater (11.3) following.

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 (12-18, 7-12 Sun Belt) vs. COASTAL CAROLINA (15-15, 8-11 Sun Belt)

Date / Time: March 2, 2020 / 2 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)

RADIO/TV
Radio: KHXT FM 107.9
Talent: Jay Walker (PxP)
TV: ESPN+

Talent: Dan McDonald (PxP), Eric Mouton (Color)

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

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Louisiana leads, 4-1

In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 2-0

In Conway: Louisiana leads, 2-1

Streak: Louisiana +1

THE COACHES
LOUISIANA
Head Coach: Bob Marlin (Mississippi State, 1981)
Record at Louisiana: 186-142 (10th season), Career Record: 534-308 (27th season)

COASTAL CAROLINA

Head Coach: Cliff Ellis (Florida State, 1968)

Record at CCU: 245-179 (13th season), Career Record: 857-528 (45th season)

STORY LINES

• A first-round home game in the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championships is at stake when Louisiana and Coastal Carolina wrap up the regular-season at the Cajundome.

• The winner of Tuesday’s game is guaranteed a first-round home game in the 10-team field that begins on Saturday.

• A Louisiana victory, coupled with an Arkansas State loss at Georgia Southern, would guarantee a rematch between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Chanticleers on Saturday at 11 a.m. A Louisiana win, along with an ASU win, would have the Ragin’ Cajuns and Red Wolves facing off in the first round.

• A loss could send Louisiana to either: UT Arlington, Appalachian State or Coastal Carolina.

• With 108 career wins in Sun Belt Conference play, head coach Bob Marlin is fourth in league history and is three wins shy of tying former UAB coach Gene Bartow for third place.

• Louisiana head coach Bob Marlin (534 wins) and Coastal Carolina’s Cliff Ellis (857) have combined for 1,391 career victories.

• On the season, injuries have cost players on the 2019-20 roster a combined total of 91 games.

QUICK HITS

• Mylik Wilson is one of nine Division I players, and the only freshman, averaging 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game.

• Wilson leads all Sun Belt Conference freshmen in scoring (11.2), rebounds (5.7) and steals (2.2).

• Wilson is 14th nationally in steals per game (2.3) and 22nd in total steals (60).

• Wilson is tied for second nationally among Division I freshmen in total steals with Mikey Watkins (60) of Merrimack and trailing national leader Juvaris Hayes (120) of Merrimack.

• Louisiana is 5-5 in games decided by six points or less.

• Louisiana is 11-4 overall when scoring 70 points or more this season.

• Louisiana’s last four victories have come by a combined 10 points.

• Louisiana has earned wins this season over McNeese (11/9), Southeastern Louisiana (12/3), Troy (1/4), Appalachian State (1/6), Georgia State (2/6) and Arkansas State (2/26) after trailing by double-digits.

• Cedric Russell’s seven 3-pointers against South Alabama on Feb. 13 were the most by a Ragin’ Cajun since Malik Marquetti went 7-for-11 from long range at McNeese State on Dec. 18, 2019.

• Louisiana is ranked 53rd among Division I schools in free throws made (454) and 73rd nationally in free throw attempts (617).

• Louisiana 19-for-20 performance from the free throw line against Georgia State on Feb. 6 was its second-highest percentage (.950) of the season. The Ragin’ Cajuns were 13-for-13 against Texas State on Jan. 18.

• Louisiana’s injury-riddled roster has used 12 different starting lineups during the 2019-20 season.