SAN MARCOS, Texas– The Sun Belt Conference schedule begins for Texas State at Louisiana at 6 p.m. on New Year's Day, followed by a 4 p.m. contest on Saturday, Jan. 2 at the CajunDome in Lafayette, La.
The Bobcats (6-3) enter conference play on a three-game winning streak and have won their last two games on the road at the Pioneer Challenge, where they were named champions. During non-conference play, TXST averages 66.4 points per game, shooting 45.4 percent from the floor, 32.8 percent from 3-point range, and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Bobcats hang their hats on the defensive end where they rank in the top 100 of the country in seven defensive categories, including scoring defense where they relinquish 63.1 points per game, which rank No. 53 in the NCAA and No. 2 in the Sun Belt.
Junior guard Mason Harrell leads the Bobcats with 14.0 points per game (No. 12 in the Sun Belt) in 34.2 minutes on average (No. 3 in the Sun Belt). Harrell is shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 45.4 percent from behind-the-arc (No. 5 in the Sun Belt) while adding 2.9 assists per game.
Since being inserted into the starting lineup, junior guard Calen Asberry has been hot, averaging 21.3 points per game in that stretch. Overall, Asberry averages 12.1 points on the season and is ranked 14th in the conference with a 53.8 field goal percentage. Asberry was named the Pioneer Challenge MVP after averaging 24.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals in the two-game tourney. Asberry shined in the 70-68 win at Denver, where he dropped a career-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and scored 22 of those points in the second half.
Senior forward Isiah Small averages 7.0 ppg and leads the team with 7.1 rebounds per game (No. 11 in the Sun Belt) and 1.7 blocks per game (No. 5 in the Sun Belt). He is joined by junior forward Alonzo Sule in the frontcourt, who averages 8.8 points per game and is shooting 53.4 percent from the field (No. 15 in the Sun Belt) and 89.5 percent at the charity stripe.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns (6-1) is the hottest team in the Sun Belt and enter conference play on a six-game winning streak. They are also ranked No. 22 in the CIT Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. Although Louisiana averages 75.9 points per game (T-No. 7 in the Sun Belt), they also give up 72.4 points per game, which are tied for the 9th most in the league. Nevertheless, they lead the conference with 6.0 blocks per game, rank No. 2 with 44.7 rebounds per game, and shoot 44.2 percent from the floor.
Senior guard Cedric Russell leads the team with 19.0 points per game, which is No. 3 in the Sun Belt and ranks No. 6 with an 83.3 free-throw percentage. He is followed by sophomore guard Mylik Wilson who averages 13.6 points (No. 14 in the Sun Belt), 4.9 rebounds (No. 19 in the Sun Belt), 3.4 assists (No. 8 in the Sun Belt), and 2.3 steals per game (No. 6 in the Sun Belt). Junior forward Theo Akwuba rounds out some of the top players for Louisiana as he averages 11.1 points, 11.0 rebounds (No. 2 in the Sun Belt), and leads the conference with 3.6 blocks per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Although Louisiana leads the all-time series 12-4, Texas State is on a three-game winning streak in head-to-head meetings, including last year's 68-59 victory at the CajunDome marking the Bobcats' first victory in Lafayette when playing the Ragin' Cajuns.
CHALK TALK
The Texas State men's basketball staff will be hosting Chalk Talk. Chalk Talk will be a presentation by one of the coaching staff members, followed by a meet and greet. Light refreshments will be provided. Chalk Talk will be before each non-conference home game, the UT Arlington game on Feb. 13, 2021, and all Friday home games. For more information about joining the tip-in club, call 512-245-3832.
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