The non conference foes have all gone away.

For the Louisiana men's and women's basketball teams, it's familiar foes the rest of the way.

And for the second straight year, that road begins...on the road...in the state of Arkansas.

The Cajuns' squads are in Little Rock to take on the Trojans, with women's action beginning at 5:00pm and the men commencing 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

Bob Marlin's Cajuns come in to conference play at 10-3 on the year and are looking to get off to a fast start in conference play.  The Cajuns lead the Sun Belt in scoring (86.4), scoring margin (+12.5), field goal percentage (.473), assists per game (17.6) and steals per game (8.67).

This will be the 49th meeting between the two schools with the Cajuns holding a 27-21 edge.  The advantage has gone to the Trojans in games played at the Jack Stephens Center, 8-4.

Louisiana is led in scoring by JaKeenan Gant (16.0), with Frank Bartley IV (15.3) and Johnathan Stove (10.1) also averaging in double figures.  Bryce Washington (9.8 pts, 9.6 reb) is averaging nearly a double double.  The Cajuns have eight players averaging seven points or more.

Little Rock (3-10) has found the going tough on the road but is 3-3 at home.  Scoring and shooting have been the biggest issues for Wes Flanigan's team, as Little Rock is at the bottom of the league in scoring, field goal percentage, 3-pt field goal percentage and makes per game, scoring margin and free throw percentage.  Andre Jones (11.3) and Ryan Pippins (10.1) are the scoring leaders for Little Rock, while Oliver Black leads the team in rebounding (7.8)

Meanwhile, Garry Brodhead's team is getting healthier as Louisiana (5-7) gets ready to open conference play.  Freshman Skylar Goodwin has had to carry much of the scoring load due to the injury of point guard Jasmine Thomas.  Goodwin is the only double digit scorer for the Cajuns at 11.3 ppg.

Little Rock leads the all-time series 21-10 and is 12-1 against the Cajuns in Little Rock.  Joe Foley's club is just 3-8 on the season, but had played a rugged schedule.  The Trojans boast wins over Memphis, Oklahoma and Missouri State.  Ronjanae DeGray leads a balanced scoring attack with 10.2 points per game, while twin sister Raeyana is right behind at 9;2 points per game.  Kyra Collier is also close to double figures as well (9.2).  The DeGray sisters are the nieces of former Louisiana guard Reggie DeGray.

The Trojans have won 18 straight league games at home and are 37-1 since the 2013-14 season.

Both games can be heard on ESPN 1420, with women's pregame festivities beginning at 4:45 pm.  KHXT-FM (HOT 107.9) joins for the men's game thirty minutes prior to tipoff.

 

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