DALLAS, Texas – The Nicholls State University basketball team may face their toughest challenge of the season on Wednesday as the squad heads to Dallas for a meeting with undefeated No. 18 SMU at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
The Colonels (3-5) are seeking their first road win and first Division I win of the year, but will have to go through the Mustangs (7-0), who are coming off of an 82-58 dismantling of Michigan. SMU picked up impressive wins against TCU and Stanford earlier in the season, and defeated Southland Conference opponent, Sam Houston, 85-50, on Nov. 14.
Wednesday's game will be the first meeting between SMU and Nicholls in program history.
Through eight games the Colonels are averaging 69.4 points, while surrendering 79.9. Nicholls shoots 39.5% from the floor and 28% from three-point range, while allowing 48.6% and 30.1% respectively. The Colonels have a -7.3 rebounding margin, but boast a +1.2 turnover margin this season.
The Mustangs are averaging 81.9 points per game, while holding opponents to only 61.4. SMU shoots a blazing 53.1% from the field and 45.4% from beyond the arc, while allowing just 37.8% and 32% respectively. The Mustangs have a dominant +14.1 rebounding margin and a +0.3 turnover margin.
SMU was selected as the preseason favorite to win the American Athletic Conference, receiving eight of 11 first place votes. Redshirt senior Nic Moore was tabbed the Preseason American Player of the Year, as well as a preseason first team selection, alongside his teammate Markus Kennedy. Moore and Kennedy were both unanimous first-team selections.
After losing to UCLA in the round of 64 at the NCAA tournament last year, the Mustangs entered the 2015-16 season determined to make a statement. SMU returns seven letterwinners and three starters from last year's squad that went 27-7 and posted a 15-3 record in league play.
Ja'Dante' Frye leads Nicholls with team-highs in average points (19.0), rebounds (7.0) and steals (1.5).
Schane Rillieux paces the squad with 2.5 assists per contest.
T.J. Carpenter is second on the team in average points (12.6), boards (5.8) and assists (2.4).
Johnathan Bell has played outstanding off the bench, while
Adam Ward has been a physical difference maker in limited minutes.
Moore, who spent the past summer winning a gold medal at the World University Games in South Korea, is averaging 15 points and 4.5 assists as facilitator of the Mustang offense. Jordan Tolbert is SMU's leading rebounder, averaging 8.1 boards per contest. Kennedy, the 2014-15 AAC's Sixth Man of the Year, is averaging 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Following Wednesday's matchup, the Colonels will have a quick turnaround as they head to Boulder to play their third game in six days. Nicholls will battle Colorado at 8 p.m. central time on Friday, live on the PAC-12 Network.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.
