Coastal Carolina is set to take on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in an exciting matchup this Thursday at 8 p.m. EST in Lafayette, Louisiana, following the Chanticleers’ thrilling 94-91 overtime victory over the UMass Minutemen. Rasheed Jones played a pivotal role in that game, scoring an impressive 26 points.
Both teams enter the game with contrasting records in the Sun Belt Conference. Coastal Carolina boasts a record of 15-11 overall and 7-6 in the conference, having shown resilience with a 4-1 record in tight, one-possession games. Meanwhile, Louisiana holds a 9-16 overall record and a competitive but balanced 6-6 in conference play.
When considering team performance at home, the Ragin’ Cajuns have demonstrated solid capabilities, maintaining a .500 record in home games. However, they face a defensive challenge as they concede an average of 69.0 points to their opponents, which contributes to them being outscored by an average of 6.5 points per outing.
Statistically, Louisiana has a field goal percentage of 40.8%, which slightly surpasses the 39.6% that Coastal Carolina allows. The Chanticleers’ offense is particularly notable for their three-point shooting, averaging 9.2 made three-pointers per game—significantly outpacing Louisiana’s average of 7.0 allowed.
This matchup marks their first encounter of the season in conference play, and both teams will be eager to gain an early advantage in their rivalry. For the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dorian Finister has emerged as a key player, averaging 14.1 points per game, while De’Vion Lavergne has been consistent with 14.0 points over the last ten games. For the Chanticleers, Joshua Beadle leads with 16.5 points per game, alongside AJ Dancier who has been productive, averaging 17.4 points in his recent performances.
Reviewing the last ten games, Louisiana has a record of 6-4, with solid averages of 69.3 points, 26 rebounds, and shooting 44.3% from the field. In contrast, Coastal Carolina boasts a record of 7-3, scoring an average of 74.5 points per game while putting in a commendable performance defensively.
As both teams prepare for this critical contest, fans can anticipate an action-packed evening with ample scoring potential and strategic plays from both Coastal Carolina and Louisiana.