BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's basketball team didn't see its home facility for a regular-season contest until Dec. 15^th of this year – in a game against Southern Mississippi – and has played only two games in the Montagne Center as they get ready for their second Southland Conference contest. That trend will continue this week as the Cardinals travel to Thibodaux, La. to face Nicholls.
 
After the 2020-21 season, the LU men's basketball team may be forced to switch its nickname from Cardinals to Road Warriors after playing seven of its first eight and nine of the first 11 games away from Beaumont. The start to conference play will be very similar for the Red and White who open league play with three of their first four games away from the Montagne Center.
 
When the Cardinals step on the court at Nicholls, they will be looking to flip the script from what has been a tough start to the season. LU (2-8/0-1 SLC) has dropped four of its past five games, but split its last two decisions. The victory during that stretch being a 10-point win over Southeastern Louisiana to close out non-conference play, but LU was unable to back that game up with a win on the road in the Southland opener.
 
Wednesday's opponent – Nicholls – is 2-5 (.286) on the season, and 0-1 in league games – has also had a bumpy ride this year due to COVID. Nicholls has already had seven games canceled this season and has played only once since Dec. 27^th, and only twice since Dec. 1. LU and Nicholls are two of eight schools going in search of the first conference win of the season, with three schools still waiting to open league play.
 
The Colonels enter the week averaging nearly 70 points per game, while shooting better than 40 percent from the field. Nicholls' offense is led by two players in double figures (Ty Gordon – 13.9 ppg and Najee Garvin – 10.7 ppg). Nicholls has struggled at times on the glass this season currently ranked 12^th in the league pulling down 33.6 rebounds per game.
 
Junior Davion Buster leads a Cardinals' offense that has four players averaging in double figures. The Austin, Texas native is currently ranked third in the league averaging 17.0 points per game. Sophomore Anderson Kopp is second on the squad averaging just under 12 points per game (11.4 ppg) while Quinlan Bennett and Kasen Harrison are averaging 10 per contest. Harrison currently ranks as the league's third-leading freshman scorer, and second among true freshman. He is also tied for third in the league in assists.
 
As a team, the Cardinals are averaging better than 60 points per game on the season, while pulling down 35 rebounds per contest.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series against Nicholls, 27-13 (.675), a record that includes a 9-8 (.529) mark in Thibodaux. The Cardinals enter Wednesday's contest looking to switch the most recent trend in the series. Nicholls has won three of the past four meetings, including a four-point decision in Thibodaux last season.
 
Wednesday's game is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, La. Fans can follow along on live stats by clicking here. A live video stream of the game can be viewed by clicking here.