NEW ORLEANS, La. -- With the mid-January home stretch wrapped up, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (13-7, 7-2 Southland) returns to road action looking to improve on the 3-0 away record posted already this month, squaring off against preseason conference favorite New Orleans (6-13, 2-7 Southland) on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, La., tipoff scheduled for approximately 6 p.m.

After opening conference play behind a 1-1 mark in the pre-holiday break contests, the Red & Gray have proven to be one of the toughest "outs" in the Southland, registering a 6-1 record in the month of January with the lone loss coming on a Northwestern State buzzer beater. Individually, the Colonels have seen an impressive four players breach double-digit scoring averages during that stretch -- seniors Dexter McClanahan (13.4 ppg) and Elvis Harvey Jr. (13.1 ppg) along with sophomore Warith Alatishe (11.7 ppg) and junior Kevin Johnson (10.7 ppg); notably, Johnson has recorded team-highs in both assists (26) and steals (15) while Alatishe pulled down a squad-best 9.0 boards per game.

WHAT: Nicholls at New Orleans
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25 | 6 p.m.
WHERE: Lakefront Arena | New Orleans, 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 27-24 (14-13) 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) 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
The Colonels remain on the road as they look west towards the opposite end of the state, traveling to Lake Charles, La. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 for a major Southland battle at McNeese.

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).