Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech heads to Long Island, New York, to battle UMass tonight at 5 p.m. CT at Nassau Coliseum in a match-up that is part of the Icons of the Game event.
It will be the first ever meeting between the two programs on the hardwood. The contest can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler providing a call of the action.
LA Tech (2-0) put together a convincing 92-77 road victory over UT Arlington. The Bulldogs shot 50.8 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three, building as much as a 23-point lead in the second half against the Mavericks. It marked their fourth straight road win (tied for seventh longest active streak in the country) and seventh in their last eight (dating back to last season).
Daniel Batcho was named Conference USA Player of the Week after averaging 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game during LA Tech’s 2-0 week. He registered 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks against LSU followed by a career-high 28 points (10-of-12 shooting), seven boards, and two rejections at UTA. The CUSA Preseason Player of the Year is shooting 83.3 percent from the field (15-of-18), making him one of just three players in the country with at least an 83 percent clip with a minimum of 18 field goal attempts.
Amaree Abram was just as unstoppable at UTA, pouring in 23 points (second most in his collegiate career). After missing his first five shots, the junior guard made eight of his next nine field goal attempts, five of which were three-pointers. Twenty of his 23 points came in the second half versus the Mavericks. He is shooting 50 percent (7-of-14) from deep through two games.
Will Jeffress registered his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds at UTA. He is currently tied for the team lead with an average of 8.0 boards per game and has a team-high seven offensive rebounds through two games.
Sean Newman Jr. became the first Bulldog in record history with a double-double (points/assists) with zero turnovers. The point guard had 10 points and a career-high 11 times at UT Arlington. He is currently averaging 9.5 assists per game and has a 9.5 assist/turnover ratio (19 assists to two turnovers through two games).
The starting five have provided the bulk of the scoring so far, accounting for 82 percent (139 out of 169 points) of LA Tech’s points. Four of the five are averaging double figures.
UMass (1-1) is coming off a 20-win season, its best finish in the last decade. Last year included wins over AAC champion South Florida and Big 12 opponent West Virginia, finishing with a NET ranking of 91. The Minutemen, guided by veteran head coach Frank Martin, were picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10.
So far this season, UMass had a lopsided 103- 74 victory at home against New Hampshire followed by a 75-69 loss at West Virginia. It was the first time cracking the century mark in a season opener for the Minutemen since 1994. UMass made 42 field goals in the process. It was a defensive battle versus the Mountaineers. UMass held WVU to 36.8 percent shooting but could not overcome a 17-point halftime deficit.
Senior guard Rahsool Diggins was named to the preseason All-Atlantic 10 Third Team. Diggins received the honor after averaging 12.8 points on a team-high 30.5 minutes per game a season ago, earning A-10 Co-Most Improved Player honors last season.
Diggins is off to a hot start in 2024-25, averaging a team-best 22.5 points per game including a 44.4 percent chip from beyond the arc. He scored 26 points in the season opener against New Hampshire, draining eight triples. That was followed by a 19-point performance at WVU. He has made 12 of UMass’ 18 three-pointers through two games.
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