Though they do not tip off for another two weeks, the 2010-2011 Colonel men’s basketball season schedule was announced last week. The Colonels will open the regular season on a three-game road trip with stops at Houston, Louisiana State University and Oklahoma State, both Houston and Oklahoma State made the field of 64 in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Nicholls played Houston and LSU last season and almost upset the Tigers falling 63-60. They will also go on the road to face Wichita State, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
The Colonels’ first home games from Nov. 26 through Dec. 6, highlighted by the home-opener against Tulane inside Stopher Gym.
“Obviously, getting a Conference USA level school to come to our gym is huge for us, I think,” head coach J.P. Piper said.”I’m really excited to have Tulane here.I have a lot of respect for their basketball tradition.But, I feel like with the team we have put together, we have a chance to be very competitive in that game, and because it’s a home game we should have some expectation to win it.”
Nicholls will open Southland Conference play with five of their first seven games at home beginning with Texas Arlington on Jan. 8, traveling to Northwestern State and Sam Houston State, then returning to Stopher Gym to play four consecutive home games in conference play.
With the long home stretch to being SLC play, the Colonels will then have to play seven of their last ten games on the road and wrap up the regular season at Southeastern La. on March 5.
With the addition of new players, the Colonels return a majority of their starters from last season. Senior forward Anatoly Bose finished last season averaging 21.1 points per game that ranks him fourth in the country among 2010-2011 returning players. Along with Bose, junior forward Fred Hunter returns after averaging just over 14 points a game last year.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior guard Kellan Carter has made himself on of the top defensive guards in the country after ranking in the top 55 the past two seasons in steals per game.
“This is the most talented team we’ve put on the floor since I’ve been here,” Piper said.”Toly is a special player, a potential NBA level guy.But, when you step back and take a lookat Fred and Kel and thefreshmen that we have coming in, we have a chance to be good for awhile.These are all special players in their own right.Right now,there isn’t a team in the conference that we can’t beat, especially on our own floor.”
All Colonel home games will be played inside Stopher Gym and are free to students who present their Colonel Card.
