New Orleans Preview

The Thad Matt Era (Part 2) begins this evening as the Bulldogs welcome the New Orleans Privateers to Hinkle. The Dawgs are 2-0 vs New Orleans all-time with their most recent win coming in the 2019-2020 season that saw the Dawgs reach #4 in the AP Poll. 

What to expect from New Orleans

The Privateers are coming off of an 18-14 record with a departure in the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament. They run a fast-paced, high-scoring offense that scored over 60 points in all 32 games last season. they are expected to be led by the front-court tandem of Tyson Jackson and Simeon Kirkland who were both selected to the preseason all-Southland teams. 

Hopes for the Dawgs 

To be honest this should be a game that the Dawgs are able to dominate so my hope is that it gives the new offense and new players to get their footing before bigger early season tests present themselves. I am looking for 3 main goals for the Dawgs to achieve during this game.

1. I want to see Manny Bates dominate the interior and make his presence felt on both ends of the court. New Orleans runs their offense through their big man but Bates has a clear skill and size advantage over their frontcourt pair. Look for Bates to get started early on the offensive end as we have seen in the exhibition games. 

2. The second goal is for our new fast-paced backcourt to completely control the pace of play. Hunter, Tate, and Harris will be the fastest players on the court so look for them to get out on the break and create good looks for threes and easy buckets at the rim. 

3. The third goal is for Pierce Thomas to put the entire city of New Orleans on a poster. We have seen his uncontrollable above-the-rim play through practice clips and exhibition highlights but it is time for the redshirt freshman to put the conference on notice that no one should jump with him this season. 

Score Prediction

Butler 85

New Orleans 60 

Best Bet of the Day 

Butler -11 First Half