TIP-OFF
The ULM men's basketball team (4-16, 0-7) plays game three of a four-game homestand on Saturday (Jan. 25) with a matchup versus App State (11-8, 5-3) from Fant-Ewing Coliseum at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. The game comes after a postponed matchup with South Alabama, which was moved from Thursday, January 23, to Monday, January 27.Â
Last weekend, despite a late comeback attempt, the Warhawks were held scoreless for the final minute of play, and six Ragin' Cajuns' free throws gave ULM it's sixth-straight conference loss. Leading the team in coring was Jalen Bolden, who secured his 15th double-figure socring game with 16 points.Â
SERIES HISTORY –
The Mountaineers lead the all-time series 7-6, and have won four in a row against the Warhawks dating back to 2019. In last season's matchup, App State held ULM's offense in check in a 67-55 win in Boone. The Warhawks last defeated App State in March of 2019 with an 89-80 win in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM is 4-3 all-time at home vs. the Mountaineers.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS –
App State travels to Monroe following a 65-55 loss to Sun Belt preseason favorites Arkansas State on Thursday night. The loss broke App State's five-game SBC winning streak.Â
Leading the scoring for the Mountaineers is redshirt senior Myles Tate, who is averaging 15.5 ppg. Tate has one double-doublue on the year, which was a 20-point, ten assist performance vs. William & Mary (11/24/24), and has eight games this season with 20 or more points. Also averging double-figure points is CJ Huntley (15.3 ppg), who also leads the team in rebounds with 6.5 rebounds per game.Â
COACHES VS. CANCER SUITS AND SNEAKERS GAME–
Saturday's game is ULM's annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Game. The American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer - Suits and Sneakers Week is a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer. While coaching games during the week, coaches wear sneakers with their suits as a visible reminder of their support of the American Cancer Society. Coaches participating in suits and sneakers week help raise visibility and funds to support the American Cancer Society's work to help cancer patients, survivors, as well as caregivers in their cancer journeys.
RICHARD ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AT CONCLUSION OF SEASON–
ULM men's basketball coach Keith Richard announced on Friday (Dec. 20) his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Richard will complete his 15th season as the head coach of ULM men's basketball. Richard inherited a program saddled with APR sanctions and guided the Warhawks to four postseason appearances in five years. Richard previously served as the head coach of Louisiana Tech from 1998-2007 and was an assistant at LSU from 2008-10 before being named ULM's head coach and has accumulated over 300 victories as a head coach.
FAMILIAR FACES –
The Warhawks welcome back 10 players from the 2023-24 roster including starters Tyreese Watson, Jalen Bolden and Jerry Ngopot. Key role players including Jacob Wilson, Makai Willis and AD Diedhiou are also back after playing in more than 10 games last season.
KEY ADDITIONS –
The 2024 ULM men's basketball signing class featured four new Warhawks to the 2024-25 roster. ULM signed two high school prospects (Micah Caster & Renars Sondors), one four-year transfer (Coltie Young) and one junior college transfer (Ta'Zir Smith) in the 2024 class.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The Warhawks will wrap up their four-game Sun Belt homestand with their postponed matchup with South Alabama on Monday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m.