KINGSTON, R.I. -- The Nicholls State University men's basketball program (2-2, 0-0 Southland) hits the road for the team's most geographically-taxing trip of the season, trekking north for the first of a three-game stretch away from Louisiana against Atlantic 10 contender Rhode Island (2-1, 0-0 A-10), tip set for 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday evening at the Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I. For the third time this year already, the Colonels will square off with a first-time opponent (at Illinois; at Pitt) in an unfamiliar venue, challenging a program which reached the NCAA Tournament in two of the past three seasons.

Individually, the Red & Gray have seen great promise through four contests from redshirt seniors Dexter McClanahan and D'Angelo Hunter, as the former ranks first on the team in both points per game (17.0) and total steals (10) while the latter has contributed a squad second-best 12.0 ppg. As a group, the Colonels continue to showcase an impressive knack for annoying opposing offensive schemes, climbing to 12th nationally in steals per game (11.8) and 10th in turnovers forced (22.0).

WHAT: Nicholls at Rhode Island
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 6 p.m.
WHERE: Ryan Center | Kingston, R.I.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Listen | Watch // ESPN+

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts (PDF)

• Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports a 16-19 (7-11) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts five seniors: G D'Angelo Hunter, G Tom Clement, G/F Brandon Moore Jr., G Dexter McClanahan & F Elvis Harvey Jr.
• This year's roster is highlighted by five newcomers, as redshirt senior G D'Angelo Hunter (West Virginia), redshirt junior G Andre Jones (Arkansas-Little Rock) & redshirt senior G Dexter McClanahan (Savannah State) all became eligible following transfers from fellow collegiate programs while sophomore G Lorenzo McGhee (Columbia State CC) climbed aboard via a JUCO program & freshman G Tyrease Terrell signed on directly from high school. On the bench, senior F Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington), redshirt sophomore F Najee Garvin (Charlotte), redshirt sophomore G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) & redshirt sophomore G Lafayette Dorsey (Pacific) will sit out due to NCAA Transfer Restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features four players from across the state of Louisiana, three from Georgia, a pair from Texas and one from each of the following: Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Minnesota & California.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 11th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters, including junior G Kevin Johnson & senior G/F Brandon Moore Jr.

UP NEXT
Following the northern matchup at Rhode Island, the Colonels shed some layers as the team treks south into the Caribbean, battling a pair of tough non-conference opponents -- North Carolina A&T on Friday, Nov. 22 and UMBC on Sunday, Nov. 24 -- as part of the Jamaica Classic, a three-day tournament situated in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

STAY SOCIAL
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