THIBODAUX, La. -- Following the conclusion of an arduous non-conference schedule, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (6-5, 0-0 Southland) shifts focus to the team's upcoming 20-game Southland slate, opening the gauntlet with a home tilt against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-6, 0-0 Southland) on Wednesday evening, tip set for 7 p.m. at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, La.

The Colonels enter the highly-anticipated contest boasting one of the country's most formidable defenses, ranking inside the top ten nationally in five major categories, including: steals per game (11.0, third), total steals (121, first), three point field goal defense (25.0 percent, eighth), turnovers forced (20.73, third) and turnover margin (6.5, seventh).

Offensively, the Red & Gray have epitomized a "share the rock" philosophy, never relying on just one primary scorer as four players -- Dexter McClanahan (16.2 ppg), Andre Jones (12.9), Elvis Harvey Jr. (10.9) & D'Angelo Hunter (10.5) -- currently own double-digit averages.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch | Listen

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

• Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports an 20-22 (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 Wednesday's Southland opener against the Islanders, Nicholls hits the road once again for the team's final contest of 2019, traveling west to Abilene Christian on Saturday, Dec. 21.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Men's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).